Viktor supports well-funded research by joining the protest on 14 November

The government plans to implement historically harsh cuts to education, research, and innovation, which will have detrimental, long-lasting consequences for the economy and society. These cuts also harm our reputation as a nation known for its knowledge and innovation. The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), and by extension, the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, supports the upcoming protest against cuts to higher education and science. In this article, researcher Viktor Al Naqib shares his motivation for participating.

When Viktor Al Naqib, PhD student in the Axonal Signaling lab, heard about the Dutch cabinet’s austerity plans, he was greatly shocked. When he discussed his concerns during a team meeting, his supervisor Maarten Kole advised him to send a strong appeal to all his colleagues at the institute, stressing the importance of making time for the protest on 14 November.

Viktor: ‘Seven years ago I moved from Germany to the Netherlands, and I immediately felt at home. The universities were well-funded, the research infrastructure was leading – for me it is still one of the best places in the world for research.”

Now the government is threatening to draw a line under that. Viktor worries: ‘More than a billion euros of cuts to higher education and research, less support for early-stage scientists, and measures limiting the number of international students puts a heavy strain on our thriving research community. The decisions undermine the heart of innovation, flourishing, and rejuvenation of research in the Netherlands,’ he says.

To colleagues not going or still hesitating, Viktor would say this: ‘We all have busy schedules, projects and deadlines – and we would like to keep it that way. But to secure this in the future, we need to speak out now. Joining the protest march will cost you an afternoon, but is an investment in the future of our work, research and science in the Netherlands. Join in!’

Let’s send a strong message together on 14 November in Utrecht.

Join the protest
Sign the petition