Message from ISS Rector, Professor Inge Hutter

Dear ISS community, dear ISS friends

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is posing many personal challenges to all of us. Many of us are directly or indirectly confronted with health issues, of ourselves or among people around us. Next to that routines are altered, schools were closed, flights were cancelled, and all over the world people were asked to stay at home.

We at the International Institute of Social Studies are closely following the developments regarding COVID-19 in the Netherlands, and its impact on the ISS community and its work. We are also making all the necessary adjustments to keep providing our MA students a quality education experience, as well as continuing with our (PhD) research and projects. In line with the guidelines issued by the Dutch government, all on-campus education, including on-campus exams and events, are cancelled until June 1st. If the opportunity arises to start class-room education sooner, we will do everything we can, to get that done.

The COVID-19 situation is not preventing our MA students from continuing their education, albeit through an on-line environment. Our teaching staff – all mainly working from home – has designed on-line classes that, as much as possible, fit the current needs of ISS MA students, and continue the high standards ISS is so proud to have achieved.

At the same time, we care for the wellbeing and mental health of our students and staff, by offering mental support possibilities.

We are closely in touch with some of our students and staff abroad who need specific support, and with our alumni community, always so connected with us, spread all over the world.

For our prospective students we would like to share that, for now, we commit to doing our very best to have our next MA programme starting as scheduled, that is in early September. At this moment, however, it all depends on how COVID-19 will develop, in the Netherlands and in the world. Our Admissions Team is giving advice and support to many applicants and will continue to do so. If you have any questions about the upcoming academic year or applications, please send an e-mail to study@iss.nl. You can also check our group for prospective students in FB for further information, or follow us in one of our other social media channels.

 Many questions still don’t have an answer, as we wait for the developments of this crisis. Fortunately, we have an amazing community that is working hard to keep ISS activities going and preparing for whatever comes next. If you have any questions or want to share anything with us, feel free to e-mail us through info@iss.nl.

You are also invited to check the dossier with all the updates and Frequently Asked Questions compiled by Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the ISS Corona File, that showcases publications and interviews by ISS faculty and PhD researchers related to the Coronavirus and its social, economic and political repercussions.

Thank you for your patience and your resilience as we all – together apart – go through this situation.

Sincerely,

Professor Inge Hutter, Rector ISS