Stop tuition fees for international students!

Submitted by Magnus Dybdahl and Kristoffer Robin Haug

Illustrator: Rebecca Øistad

Magnus Dybdahl.
***Photo:*** *Skjalg Bøhmer Vold*

Ola Borten Moe, there is no shame in turning around. Even though you might not be good at it, the entire higher education sector sure would appreciate it.

On Friday, March 24, the government presented a law change concerning tuition fees for international students, transgressing with a long tradition for tuition-free higher education in Norway. This proposal opens a debate concerning the tuition-free principle, and might lead to more fees, for Norwegian students also.

The law change is a clear transgression of the government parties’ own political platform. Both the Hurdal Platform and the election program were clear on the fact that education is supposed to be free, including for international students. We cannot accept this deceiving law change, as it also increases the social differences.

The costs for the individual student might go up to 1 million kroner. To segregate between those who must pay for higher education and those who don’t is not solidaristic and creates an A and B team. It impedes the less fortunate to get an education in Norway, but it might also lead to bright people choosing other institutions than our own.

The benefits might come tumbling down. The costs of administrating the settlement are still unknown, and the institutions are not organized for this kind of money collection. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Education and Research, with Ola Borten Moe in front, expect 75 million kroner from tuition fees in 2023. This is, according to Universities Norway, completely unrealistic.

The sector has warned that the institutions might be emptied of international students and sorely needed competence. The minister does not care. The Ministry of Education and Research has stated that they expect fewer international students in Norway with this proposal, which we think is a pity.

We in MDG are doing what the minister should be doing: taking the fears of the sector seriously. International students add new perspectives and increased competence in the business world, working life, and society as a whole. We need more diversity in Norway, not less.

We stand together with the higher education sector against the introduction of tuition fees for international students. It is time for Ola Borten Moe to notice the resources international students contribute to society, and not just as a temporary expense. We wish to fight this law change in Parliament, and hope that the government parties and its supporter, SV, change their perspective.

We want more diversity in academia and faith in the sector. Not less! There is no shame in turning around!