s-hertogenbosch city for professional education

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1 s-hertogenbosch city for professional education

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3 Introduction The local authority and education have struck a bargain. In coming years the relationships which have existed over a long time will be developed into an intensive cooperation, motivated by the realisation by both sides that each has a role to play in achieving the other s ambitions. For example, educational establishments play an important part in the city not only because of the education they supply but also because of the contribution they make to the modernisation and exchange of knowledge. Moreover, good quality professional education is extremely important to the development of the city s economy and cultural climate. Conversely educational and knowledge-based establishments do best in a city where students and staff feel at home, where new knowledge is welcome and can be put to work - if necessary experimentally - and where students can find work after graduation. s-hertogenbosch is a particularly attractive city in which to live, work and study. The city offers a wide range of preparatory (VMBO) and intermediate (MBO) professional education. Special courses are available at a higher educational level, for example at the Art Academy and the University of Applied Agriculture (HAS). Merging the management of the s-hertogenbosch Polytechnic (Hogeschool s-hertogenbosch) and the Brabant Polytechnic (Hogeschool Brabant) has led to a further increase in the range of education provided at this level. Cooperation between secondary and higher education has also led to the introduction of special new courses. Similarly, cooperation between education and industry and an appreciation of one another s needs has brought about a culture of lifelong learning, as a result of which industry is profiting from an improved matching of education to market demand. Professional education is concentrated on the Onderwijsboulevard, close to the city and railway station. This has led to the creation of a lively relationship with the city, with student accommodation and facilities for education and recrea-

4 link between north and south, east and west, by road, water and rail. Situated on the golden artery of the A2, the city has developed into an economic centre of some significance. The great variety of activities, the concentration of government establishments and the high level of services profile s-hertogenbosch as a meeting place, a place where people and their activities find it easy to relate to one another as elements in a great dynamic network. Knowledge-based establishments, companies and service organisations combine in the advancement of a knowledge-based economy. Particularly important is the development and transfer of know-how between these various sectors. The centres of excellence provided by the existing establishments of secondary and higher education, including professional education, are to be strengthened and extended. Conversely those graduating from these institutions must be held on to as potential providers of know-how to industry in s-hertogenbosch. All these knowledge-based establishments have links with comparable establishments in a large number of European countries, the United States and Asia. The role of the local authority is to build bridges between education and industry and to encourage cooperation between the various knowledge-based establishments. tion (cinemas, discotheques and catering establishments). The growing number of cultural facilities, much discussed events in the fields of sport and music and the countless pubs and similar establishments have made s-hertogenbosch interesting to young people. It is a pleasant place to study, with a wide range of educational facilities and a blossoming and varied youth culture. Students can take advantage of the friendly climate the city has to offer, and can themselves contribute to the lively, rejuvenating atmosphere. Knowledge centre Since time immemorial s-hertogenbosch has functioned as a All-round education Intermediate professional education - an essential link At the end of the 1990s intermediate professional education and adult education developed into Regional Education Centres (ROC). An ROC organises courses for young people and adults to enable them to perform a fulfilling function in society. The courses guarantee a strong starting position on the labour market and provide a solid base for further education. In this way the ROC provides a vital link in the chain of lifelong learning. 2

5 Koning Willem I College With 13,000 students and 1,200 staff, Koning Willem I College (KWIC) is one of the biggest ROC s in the country. The concentration of courses on a campus-like location has enabled KWIC to develop into a community college with one clear ambition: to develop into one of the best colleges in the world, both for the content of its education and its personnel policy. The department of Design, Art and Technology offers a unique combination of creativity and technology. In August 2001, the college has founded an Academy of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offering a complete range of ICT courses. KWIC s showpieces include a hotel school, courses in management, tourism and theatre, and a preparatory course for academies of art and design. School for the future In cooperation with other organisations, KWIC has developed a dynamic, high-tech knowledge-based organisation, the School for the Future. The ambition of the School for the Future is to develop into the leading centre for E-learning and an important centre of creative thinking. Its congresses, seminars, workshops and master classes enable it to function as a knowledge platform for education and industry. 3

6 Higher professional education - still more students The Higher Education Research Plan (HOOP 2000) has meant that higher professional education can now stretch its wings. In years to come polytechnics will have to offer their services to an increasing number and an increasing variety of target groups. For example, higher professional education is increasingly being sought by students who are already active in the labour market and need tailor-made courses to enhance their performance. 4

7 s-hertogenbosch Polytechnic (Hogeschool s-hertogenbosch) s-hertogenbosch Polytechnic, with 5,500 students and 400 staff, is the region s biggest knowledge centre for higher professional education. The Polytechnic aims to be a leading, wide ranging, flexible knowledge-based organisation entirely centred on the student. Many different target groups are finding their way to its wide range of full-time, part-time, dual and industrial courses. The Polytechnic provides courses in the social and educational sciences, technology, management and economics. It also has its own art academy. Thanks to cooperation with Breda s St Joost Academy, this course is able to provide a syllabus that is attractive internationally. At the beginning of 2001 the managements of the s-hertogenbosch and Brabant polytechnics merged to form the Brabant Polytechnics Foundation (Stichting Brabantse Hogescholen), creating opportunities to form new courses and satisfy the needs of the region. 5

8 University of Applied Agriculture (HAS), Den Bosch HAS Den Bosch provides higher professional education in the general field of foodstuffs and vegetation. It currently has 1,600 students and 200 staff. The students come from all corners of the country. HAS serves industry as a well-known knowledge centre in all fields. Its education and contract activities are valued internationally. In the coming years HAS, in close cooperation with industry, will further expand its position in the international knowledge network. New courses will be introduced to satisfy new social needs: food safety, environmental quality, logistics and services, supply chain management and the service and design of food, all of which is expected to increase the number of students to 2,500. 6

9 STOAS College of Agricultural Education STOAS College of Agricultural Education has 320 students and 45 staff and provides a course on education and knowledge management in the green sector, including special subjects such as flower art, garden and landscape design and food technology. Graduates tend to become professionals in the green sector, as teachers in technical or professional schools, preparatory technical or professional schools or in one of the countless other functions in green industry. STOAS is visited not only by young day students but also by adults following a part-time course whether or not in combination with an occupation in the relevant sector. STOAS also provides guidance to other educational establishments in innovative processes as for example the introduction of new teaching methods in preparatory technical or professional education and the introduction of qualification structures or information and communication technology into education. 7

10 Fontys teachers training college (PABO s-hertogenbosch) The Fontys teachers training college provides a full range of teacher training for primary education. It currently has 550 students and 50 staff. The School is a unit of Fontys Polytechnics. The Fontys school management training centre and the Fontys course on special educational care are both located within the s-hertogenbosch teachers training college. The availability of a complete range of courses in primary education has strengthened cooperation with primary schools. Fontys also uses the s-hertogenbosch teachers training college for other Fontys close to the client courses. Thus the school takes advantage of being a small organisation within a large institution. In years to come the s-hertogenbosch teachers training college will set up new courses for teachers, such as a course for the more highly educated, developed in cooperation with Interactum teacher training colleges and a dual course to accompany the training given by the ROC, to be set up in cooperation with Koning Willem I College. Work is in progress, in cooperation with primary schools, the local authority and the Catholic education centre, on creating a new primary school. 8

11 The local authority and education - onwards together Developments in and ambitions of both the local authority and educational establishments create opportunities for strengthening education and the knowledge-based infrastructure in s-hertogenbosch. In consultation with the schools, three areas have been established in which the local authority will spearhead its efforts in the coming years: 1. Strengthening professional education 2. Improving cooperation with knowledge-based institutions 3. Improving the development climate, in cooperation with industry, commerce etc. Strengthening professional education From a promotional point of view, the local authority s education policy lays emphasis on: Presenting the city as an attractive educational location for young people Emphasising the importance of professional education when promoting the city; it goes without saying that education is responsible for delivering quality, maintaining a number of special courses and drawing people s attention to them. The education plan includes projects which will lead to: An increase in the inflow to preparatory intermediate professional education Achieving a better match between education and the labour market Improvement in the performance of young people in education Increasing the supply of trained people by improving the flow of students from preparatory intermediate professional education (VMBO) to intermediate professional education (MBO) and on to higher professional education (HBO). Finally the local authority intends to increase the number of opportunities for research and placements within its administrative organisation. 9

12 Cooperating with knowledge-based institutions Stimulating the exchange of knowledge between educational establishments Enlarging and developing the Kennisplein ( Knowledge square ) project Organising cooperation with the Fontys teachers training college and primary education Improving the development climate Extending the package of services relating to knowledge transfer Attracting a number of masters courses in consultation with the Chamber of Commerce and the Polytechnics Encouraging cooperation between knowledge centres and ICT companies on the one hand and commercial service organisations, the metal industry and wholesalers In cooperation with employers organisations and the Chamber of Commerce, investigate how ICT projects in the region can supplement and reinforce one another. 10

13 Projects The cooperation envisaged between the local authority and professional education will involve projects in a number of different areas: Increasing the visibility of educational establishments Cooperation between different educational establishments Cooperation between education, industry and the local authority Development of a city that will be attractive to students The local authority has made financial resources available for this purpose. Procedure for submitting projects Projects can be submitted to the local authority (PO Box 12345, 5200 GZ) by both educational establishments and their students. Proposals will be judged against the following conditions: Projects must be submitted before April of any year The aim must be appropriate to the context set out above The results of the project must be measurable and indicated in advance The educational establishments and industry - where appropriate - must contribute at least 50% of the cost The city council will decide whether or not to grant a subsidy. 11

14 Further information Questions or requests for further information about education (including professional education) in s-hertogenbosch should be directed to the Youth and Education Department, City of s-hertogenbosch, PO Box 12345, 5200 GZ s-hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. Phone : +31 (0) Fax : +31 (0) onderwijs@s-hertogenbosch.nl Questions or requests for further information about other issues concerning setting up business in s-hertogenbosch, e.g. about available commercial accommodation, should be directed to the Economic Affairs Department (Urban Development), City of s-hertogenbosch, PO Box 12345, 5200 GZ s-hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. Phone : +31 (0) Fax : +31 (0) economischezaken@s-hertogenbosch.nl Website 12 June 2002

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