The Flemish Government has refused to endorse a series of bachelor's and master's degrees taught in a foreign language at higher education institutions.
Out of the 24 applications submitted for a new degree, only four have been given the green light by the government. "The Flemish Government is keen to ensure that Dutch remains a language of science and that it does not weaken as a language," the government explained in a press release.
In Flanders, a university or college can organise a bachelor's or master's degree in another language provided that an equivalent course is offered in Dutch in Flanders.
If this is not the case, the institution must apply to the Commission for Higher Education (CHO) for an exemption.
The new government's majority agreement provides for the abolition of this possibility of exception, but numerous requests are nevertheless still being addressed to the CHO.
