There has been a 20% increase in the number of students opting to study science and technical subjects at hbo college and universities, with girls leading the way, the Volkskrant reports on Tuesday.

And at universities alone, the number of science students has risen 50% over the past nine years, the paper says.
Girls account for most of the increase. Some 42% more girls are opting to study science, compared with 15% more boys.
School
At school, the difference is equally marked, which science subjects outstripping the liberal arts and economics in popularity, the paper says.
Six years ago the government set up a project to stimulate school pupils to take up more technological subjects. The project had a target of boosting science student numbers by 15% in 2010.
‘Research shows girls are just as good as science subjects as boys,’ said Beatrice Boots, of the Platform Bèta Techniek, which coordinated the project.
Confidence
‘But boys think they are good if they score 6 for maths, girls think they don’t have enough talent if they score 7,’ she told the paper. ‘We have taught teachers in workshops to help girls realise their talents.’
One of the most successful projects has been introducing girls to women already working in science and technology, she said.