Univ. Amsterdam monitored for financial mismanagement

The University of Amsterdam's financial debt will be monitored by the Education Inspectorate, Minister Jet Bussemaker of Education said on Wednesday. This is in response to parliamentary questions asked by SP Parliamentarian Jasper van Dijk, Het Parool reports. Among other things Van Dijk wanted to know what the Minister thought about the fact that the UvA's debt was over 205 million euros in 2013, and that that debt will be nearly doubled in 2018. Bussemaker replied that the Education Inspectorate sees no acute risk to the universities continuity, but that the university will be monitored. Another reason for monitoring the UvA is the fact that the university's solvency is expected to fall below the 30 percent limit set by the Inspectorate in 2017. This solvency ratio indicates whether an institution can meet its financial obligations on a longer term. The inspectorate will also look at the way the real estate is valued. Van Dijk thinks its notable that the Minister has called in the Inspectorate. "This indicates that there is reason for concern", he said according to Het Parool. He hopes that the financing of real estate and education will be separated. In the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, debate on the Maagdenhuis next week, he will propose that the all the university's real estate assets be transferred to the government's supervision.