Dutch PM launches Russian alumni network
24 Oct 2011
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte paid a visit to Nuffic Neso Russia on 20 October to launch the Netherlands Alumni Network in Russia (NANR).
The prime minister had spent the day in talks with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin, about the current plans to modernise the Russian economy and make it more innovative.
Mr Rutte was accompanied by the Dutch ambassador Ron Keller and Dutch Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz - van Haegen, as well as Dutch and Russian media.
Creating new friendships
Russian alumni from across the country as well as from abroad gathered to celebrate the launch. They were joined by members of the Dutch business community in Moscow interested in supporting the network.
Charles Hoedt, the director of Nuffic Neso Russia, gave the opening speech. The chairman of the NANR, Andrey Barashenko and Nuffic Neso Russia’s alumni officer, Olga Zabotina then outlined their plans to "maintain and strengthen the network of Russian students who studied in the Netherlands and create new networks and friendships".
Keep young talent in Russia
In his speech Rutte told the audience how keeping young Russian talent in Russia is vital to the Russian modernisation plans. He added that as the Netherlands and Russia continue to strengthen their links, exchange knowledge and promote entrepreneurship "Russia will become a better and better place".
During the question-and-answer session Rutte said that he considered the Dutch immigration policy towards knowledge workers to be one of the most efficient and straightforward in Europe. Highlighting the Netherlands’ need for foreign talent, he cited the example of Philips, which requires 300 PhD students a year for its natural sciences department. Dutch students make up only about 80 of them.
Video for Rutte
The prime minister was visibly impressed by the film about studying in the Netherlands, which Russian alumni had made for him especially. He remarked that all the alumni present could now consider themselves "real ambassadors for the Kingdom of the Netherlands".
You can watch the video made for Rutte on the NANR website.
NANR members
The NANR is a network for Russian alumni who studied in the Netherlands or took part in trainings and internships via the Presidents Programme NRMTP. It is supported by Nuffic Neso Russia and currently has 500 members.
The NANR is also a part of the worldwide Holland Alumni Network.