Toespraak van minister Bussemaker bij de Speech European Student Convention

Toespraak | 14-03-2016

Ladies and gentlemen,

You’ve just spent three days talking, working and brainstorming.About things that matter to you, and things that will affect future generations.

Like the fact that online education is far more than just a video on YouTube. And the fact that a good MOOC can enhance the international dialogue on issues such as terrorism or sustainability.

You may have discussed how educational exchanges can go beyond just switching from a German lecture hall to a Dutch lecture hall, or from a Danish to a French one; because studying abroad is also about the exchange of ideas, about encounters with people with a different perspective on the world.

You probably also talked about how we can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real societal challenges.And about how can we can structure education so that it does justice to your different learning styles, talents and ambitions.

These are big issues for everyone involved in higher education. Not only here in the Netherlands, but also throughout Europe and further afield. I myself have spent the past week discussing these topics with my fellow ministers. The Dutch EU presidency gives me the unique opportunity to compare our strategy and priorities with those of other countries. It’s clear that we have quite a bit in common, and that encounters between different viewpoints give rise to new ideas. I’m sure you have had similar experiences over the past few days.

The Dutch students in the audience today have got to know me a bit. They know that I feel that higher education often remains stuck in the 20th century.

Clearly, higher education is on the move and there are many great initiatives, many of which have the full support of students. But too often I still see – in the Netherlands and in Europe – that higher education is only about knowledge transfer and learning to the test.

And this, while studying in the 21st century should be about getting out of your comfort zone. About learning to look beyond the confines of your own, individual time-line – literally and figuratively. And about cooperation, imagination and personal development.

As the Minister of Education, I think it is very important that you, in addition to developing new knowledge and skills, in addition to entering the labour market and taking up your place in society, in addition to adjusting to the demands of the new era, yes, in addition to all this - I think it is very important that you become 'competent rebels'.

People bold enough to swim against the current and state the other side of the argument. Because you are the leaders of the future. Leaders not in the sense of rulers. But as the enlightened standard bearers and stewards of our society's values.

It is up to you to interpret the meaning of European values in everyday life, close to home. Values such as freedom, equality, tolerance and faith in human potential.

And in the near furture you will have to do your work in a complex society that is constantly changing, and in which people’s individuality will become ever more paramount. And in which we will face major societal challenges in the fields of economics, migration, employment, housing, health, sustainability, education – you name it.

It is up to you to face up to these challenges. You must work on the future of your countries and the future of Europe. And in this day and age, a degree with high marks is no longer enough.

As our cars start to drive themselves, as robots perform keyhole surgery, as machines welcome us to our hotel, we will have to rely more and more on our distinctly human sense of empathy and our moral compass. We will need to rely on our inquisitiveness, our ability to identify links and coherence, our potential for critical thought and creativity.

If you become a teacher, you will encounter students who have radical ideas and who see a future for themselves in Syria. How will you deal with such a situation?

If you become a nurse, you will be faced with people whose culture or religion causes them to respond very differently to illness and medical treatments. And you will have to deal with dilemmas that are inherent to developments in technology.

Whether you go on to develop brain-computer interfaces, or advancements in genetics, or wearable technology, you will have to pause to ask critical questions about all these kinds of developments. Should we actually create everything that we’re capable of creating? Or are there ethical limitations?

The world is a complex place, but there are so many wonderful things to do and to achieve. And higher education is your best preparation for embarking on all these wonderful challenges. It starts with intensive contact with your teachers. With enough scope for discussion, feedback and encounter. And with your eyes wide open to the wider community. But it also starts here. Today.

I hope you will take the ideas and good examples that you have shared the past few days back home with you. And that you will continue the dialogue about the future of higher education at your own university or college.

'It is today that we must create the world of the future,' said Eleanor Roosevelt. I could not have said it better myself.

The message I want to impart is that it is up to you to give shape to the future......by knowing what you are capable of, by knowing what you want. By knowing who you are and who you want to be. So that you can share your talents, and work together to make the world a better place.

Thank you very much.