Nibs

The computers cost 1,300 euro each, with TU Delft contributing an additional 300 euro. Students who fail to graduate must pay this sum back. The pilot project should uncover any logistic bottlenecks: the TU is considering introducing wireless Internet for all students. Wireless Internet has been the standard at the University of Eindhoven for many years.
No Entry

The U.S. government revoked a prominent Muslim scholar’s visa. Tariq Ramadan, a renowned Islamic scholar, is accused by some Jewish groups of being a Muslim extremist. Ramadan was slated to teach Islamic philosophy and ethics at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana) this fall. But under the US’s new Patriot Act, Ramadan’s visa was revoked by the Department of Homeland, without a reason being given. “Professor Ramadan’s a distinguished scholar and a voice for moderation in the Muslim world,” the university said. “We know of no reason his entry should be prevented.” Notre Dame officials felt Ramadan’s perspective would be valuable to the dialogue in the U.S. about Islam. Departing from traditional Islamic thinking, Ramadan has written that there are multiple interpretations of the Koran and that Muslims should engage in ‘ijtihad’, a perpetual process of interpreting the holy texts of Islam so that the faith evolves and is compatible with modern times.
Nyet

A German university canceled plans to award an honorary doctorate degree in economics to Vladimir Putin, after 67 professors and hundreds of students signed a petition criticizing the Russian president’s human rights record in Chechnya. Citing ‘organizational problems’ behind its decision, Hamburg University said it had no time to prepare for the award ceremony. However, German university staff, students and politicians had planned mass protests against awarding Putin the degree during the Russian leader’s visit to Germany.
In-fighting

Agnes van Aardenne, the state secretary for development cooperation, is “shocked” by the her own cabinet’s plan to raise tuition fees for non-EU-students to 6,500 euro per year. Van Aardenne’s considering “neutralizing” the effects of this measure with money from her department’s budget. She made these remarks after Wageningen University students presented her with a petition with 1,274 signatures, opposing the plan, during the traditional opening of the academic year. Under-State Secretary Rutte (education, culture and science) wants to soften the blow of the tuition fee increases by introducing a scholarship system. Non-EU students whose skills are especially needed in the Netherlands, such as engineering students and trained nurses, can receive grants. Rutte has reserved about ten million euro for this purpose.
Help wanted

Part-time jobs available writing for Delta’s English Page. We seek foreign students/staff to write articles in English, for payment, on a freelance basis. No experience necessary. We’re looking for enthusiastic, creative foreign students/staff to contribute articles, cartoons, illustrations, photographs…. Interested, please send a brief introductory email to: d.mcmullin@tudelft.nl

Laptops

The first pilot project using wireless Internet at TU Delft has begun. 180 students from the various TU faculties have bought laptops that enable them to surf the Internet without network cables. The computers cost 1,300 euro each, with TU Delft contributing an additional 300 euro. Students who fail to graduate must pay this sum back. The pilot project should uncover any logistic bottlenecks: the TU is considering introducing wireless Internet for all students. Wireless Internet has been the standard at the University of Eindhoven for many years.
No Entry

The U.S. government revoked a prominent Muslim scholar’s visa. Tariq Ramadan, a renowned Islamic scholar, is accused by some Jewish groups of being a Muslim extremist. Ramadan was slated to teach Islamic philosophy and ethics at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana) this fall. But under the US’s new Patriot Act, Ramadan’s visa was revoked by the Department of Homeland, without a reason being given. “Professor Ramadan’s a distinguished scholar and a voice for moderation in the Muslim world,” the university said. “We know of no reason his entry should be prevented.” Notre Dame officials felt Ramadan’s perspective would be valuable to the dialogue in the U.S. about Islam. Departing from traditional Islamic thinking, Ramadan has written that there are multiple interpretations of the Koran and that Muslims should engage in ‘ijtihad’, a perpetual process of interpreting the holy texts of Islam so that the faith evolves and is compatible with modern times.
Nyet

A German university canceled plans to award an honorary doctorate degree in economics to Vladimir Putin, after 67 professors and hundreds of students signed a petition criticizing the Russian president’s human rights record in Chechnya. Citing ‘organizational problems’ behind its decision, Hamburg University said it had no time to prepare for the award ceremony. However, German university staff, students and politicians had planned mass protests against awarding Putin the degree during the Russian leader’s visit to Germany.
In-fighting

Agnes van Aardenne, the state secretary for development cooperation, is “shocked” by the her own cabinet’s plan to raise tuition fees for non-EU-students to 6,500 euro per year. Van Aardenne’s considering “neutralizing” the effects of this measure with money from her department’s budget. She made these remarks after Wageningen University students presented her with a petition with 1,274 signatures, opposing the plan, during the traditional opening of the academic year. Under-State Secretary Rutte (education, culture and science) wants to soften the blow of the tuition fee increases by introducing a scholarship system. Non-EU students whose skills are especially needed in the Netherlands, such as engineering students and trained nurses, can receive grants. Rutte has reserved about ten million euro for this purpose.
Help wanted

Part-time jobs available writing for Delta’s English Page. We seek foreign students/staff to write articles in English, for payment, on a freelance basis. No experience necessary. We’re looking for enthusiastic, creative foreign students/staff to contribute articles, cartoons, illustrations, photographs…. Interested, please send a brief introductory email to: d.mcmullin@tudelft.nl