- Education
- 15/09/2026
King's speech: “There must be room for internationals"
The labor market needs talent in fields such as AI, digitalization, energy, and biotechnology, King Willem-Alexander said on Tuesday afternoon in the King’s Speech from the Throne. “That talent is everywhere: from secondary and higher vocational education to universities.”
Every year, on Budget Day, the king delivers the King’s Speech from the Throne, in which the government summarizes its plans. This year’s speech addressed major issues including the nitrogen crisis, housing, security, climate, and democracy.
Remarkably, there was no mention of investments in education and research. They came up only indirectly, in the context of the “labor market of tomorrow.”
Talent everywhere
That labor market requires the country to “attract, educate, and retain top talent in crucial fields such as AI, digitalization, energy, and biotechnology,” the king said. “That talent is everywhere: from secondary and higher vocational education to universities.”
He referred to the “talent strategy” previously presented by the current government: “This will be developed further in the coming period, in consultation with educational institutions, businesses, students, and other stakeholders.”
The arrival of international students was also discussed in economic terms: “Of course, a modern labor market must have room for talented students and specialized knowledge workers from abroad.”
Tremendous opportunities
The King’s Speech from the Throne struck an enthusiastic note about technological progress. “All the rapid developments in digitalization and AI must, of course, be managed in a responsible and secure way,” the king acknowledged, “but the opportunities are enormous.”
Universities of applied sciences and research universities must respond to these developments as well: “Together with businesses, knowledge institutions, and others, the government is working toward an economy in which one innovation sparks another and start-ups and established companies strengthen one another.”
Incidentally, no AI was used in writing this year’s King’s Speech from the Throne, if AI-detection program Pangram is to be believed. In recent weeks, there has been news of prominent politicians using AI-generated texts, but the King’s Speech from the Throne is still a human effort.
Hats
Budget Day is known for its distinctive hats, which sometimes carry a political message. Education Minister Rianne Letschert wore a science-themed hat for which designer Malou Beemer collaborated with Professor Wim Noorduin.
Noorduin is known, among other things, for the microscopic “flowers” he creates using chemicals. Artist Malou Beemer translated these forms into wearable art. The result is a “hat of wonder” that illustrates the collaboration between science and art.
Discussion