The members of the Student Advisory Board were asked to contribute to the newsletter of het National Commission. Marjorie Miranda and Parker Winkel took the initiative and each wrote an article from their own personal perspective. In the articles you can read about what the respective members want to work on in the coming year.

By: Marjorie Miranda – LLB candidate, International and European Law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences | Member of the Student Advisory Board (National Commission for the CoC)

Inclusive education is about creating an environment where all students can learn and actively participate together, no matter their background or abilities.[1] It has gained plenty of attention in research, policies, and practices worldwide, from international to local levels.[2] One study suggests that inclusive education is only achievable with meaningful policy changes in higher education, especially in universities and colleges.[3]

In light of this, the Netherlands has legally mandated higher education institutions to provide reasonable arrangements and support for students with special needs.[4] However, universities typically wait for students to request these accommodations, as individual circumstances vary. They argue that it is the student’s responsibility to arrange the support they need,[5] and the same holds for international students coming to the Netherlands to pursue their degrees.

This gap in proactive support for students with special needs is highlighted in the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education (CoC), which is designed to assist international students in kicking off their academic journey in the Netherlands. While the CoC mandates that institutions share essential details about study programs and practical aspects of living in the country, it overlooks the explicit inclusion of information about the facilities or the application process for students with special needs as outlined in Article 2. This omission may inadvertently limit access to necessary accommodations for international students despite the CoC preamble mentioning that ‘[…] the education institutions wish to inform international students comprehensibly, accessibly and unambiguously about […] the provided facilities, […]’.

Addressing this issue requires a clearer integration of inclusivity into the CoC. That is, by explicitly including information such as the guidelines on available (non-exhaustive list) support, the application process, the conditions, and the timelines for securing those adjustments to international students. In implementing this, universities would not only ensure a more inclusive educational environment for students but also empower them to make well-informed decisions about their education. Moreover, this proactive approach would allow international students with special needs to plan effectively before and after enrolling, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive academically. In the long run, by improving the clarity and accessibility of this information through the CoC, higher education institutions in the Netherlands can take a significant step towards achieving true inclusive education where all students have the opportunity to succeed.

[1] Anabel Moriña, ‘Inclusive education in higher education: challenges and opportunities’ (2016) 32 European Journal of Special Needs 3.
[2] S Kielblock & Stuart Woodcocl, ‘Who’s included and Who’s not? An analysis of instruments that measure teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education’ (2022) 122 Teaching and Teacher Education 1.
[3] Edwards J Kochung, ‘Role of Higher Education in Promoting Inclusive Education; Kenyan Perspective’ (2011) 2 (2) 81-87 JETERAPS 145.
[4] See Equal Treatment of Disabled and Chronically Ill People Act (WGBH/CZ), Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), and Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
[5] Hoger Onderwijs Toegankelijk, ‘Information for International Students in the Netherlands: Applying for Facilities’ <https://www.hogeronderwijstoegankelijk.nl/dit-heb-ik-nodig/information-international-students-netherlands#applying-for-facilities> accessed 1 December 2024.