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IND Revokes Avans+ University's International Recognition After Exploitation Scandal
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) revoked Avans+ University's international recognition due to a failed work-study program with Indonesian nurses involving exploitation and underpayment, impacting 70 remaining students who must reapply for residency permits.
- What are the immediate consequences of the IND revoking Avans+ University's international recognition?
- The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) revoked Avans+ University of Applied Sciences' international recognition, preventing foreign students from obtaining residency permits to study there. This followed a failed work-study program with Indonesian nurses who reported exploitation and underpayment, leading Avans+ to consider legal action.
- What are the long-term implications of this incident for international student recruitment and ethical practices in higher education?
- The IND's decision impacts 70 remaining Indonesian students, who must apply for alternative residency permits by December 1, 2025. Avans+ assures continued support for these students to complete their studies, highlighting the long-term consequences of the failed program and the ethical concerns surrounding international student recruitment practices. The incident underscores the need for greater oversight and regulation to prevent exploitation of foreign workers.
- What were the key concerns raised by the IND and the Ministry of Health regarding Avans+'s work-study program with Indonesian nurses?
- Avans+'s program, aiming to import 1200 Indonesian nurses annually, faced initial criticism from the IND and the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport, citing Indonesia's own nursing shortage and concerns about exploitation. A subsequent IND report revealed issues like misleading program information, excessive working hours, substandard education, and violation of privacy laws, resulting in a €100,000 settlement with 15 nurses.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introductory paragraphs emphasize the negative consequences for Avans+ and the Indonesian students, immediately establishing a critical tone. The article primarily focuses on the failures and criticisms, leading the reader to view the situation as a negative one, even if unintentionally. The inclusion of quotes from the IND's internal emails further strengthens this negative framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral but tends towards a negative depiction of Avans+. Words like 'mislukt' (failed), 'uitgebuit' (exploited), and 'onderbetaald' (underpaid) strongly convey a negative tone. While these words might reflect the reality, more neutral phrasing could reduce the biased impression. For example, instead of 'uitgebuit,' 'felt they were not fairly compensated' could be used.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative aspects of the Avans+ program and the IND's response, but doesn't explore potential positive impacts or alternative perspectives on the program's goals or the challenges of addressing healthcare worker shortages. The article mentions the school's claim that the IND's motivation was limited and that little remained of the initial accusations but does not delve deeper into the specifics of the accusations or the school's rebuttal. It also omits details about the mediation process and the specifics of the settlement reached with the students.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic 'eitheor' framing by contrasting the IND's critical stance with Avans+'s response, without fully exploring the nuances of the situation or the various stakeholders' perspectives. The focus is largely on the conflict between the school and the IND, neglecting other contributing factors or alternative solutions.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the exploitation and underpayment of Indonesian nurses participating in a work-study program at Avans+ University of Applied Sciences. This directly contradicts SDG 8, which aims for decent work and economic growth by promoting fair wages, safe working conditions, and an end to exploitative labor practices. The incident demonstrates a failure to uphold labor rights and ethical employment practices, hindering progress towards SDG 8.