Quality commitments
When the Student Loans (Higher Education) Act was introduced in 2015, it was agreed that the released resources would be invested in the quality of education. In a sector agreement, students, educational institutions and central government laid down six themes that universities of applied sciences and academic universities were allowed to invest the money in. All higher education institutions drew up a plan for this, in close consultation with internal and external stakeholders. The Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) assesses the plans and advises the minister on the allocating of the funds. ArtEZ received a positive assessment from the NVAO and is doing its utmost to ensure that students reap the benefits of the money for the quality commitments.
Quality commitments plan
Link up better with the different learning questions of students, better educational facilities and better guidance for students: these are the themes in which ArtEZ will invest heavily over the next five years (2019-2024). For each theme goals have been laid down in the Quality Commitments Plan, which has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The plan qualifies as a quality commitment between central government, higher education and student organisations on the spending of money freed up by the abolition of student grants.
No random choice
Many people from the ArtEZ community, such as students, teachers and other members of staff, are involved in selecting these themes. Moreover, they tie in with the joint ambitions of the Dutch universities of the arts. Art education in the Netherlands aims to be as accessible as possible to diverse talent and to respond to the increasing need of students and the professional field for flexible education opportunities.
Flexible education
ArtEZ seeks to make education more flexible. For example in the form of modified programmes for students with a different background and more freedom of choice for students in selecting their subjects. In the future, education will increasingly take place outside the walls of ArtEZ. Students are given space to study beyond the boundaries of courses and academies. Collaboration with (domestic and foreign) partners in the field is becoming more and more important. In order to provide flexible education, ArtEZ teachers must be well equipped. Think, for example, of digital skills for location-independent (online) education. They are receiving training and education for this.
Educational facilities
Flexible education also has consequences for education logistics, including ICT and housing. We ensure that students have an up-to-date, modern and user-friendly digital learning environment during their studies. Students also need space to meet students from other courses. To meet this need, more meeting places and multifunctional spaces will be created in the educational buildings. Finally, the multimedia libraries will also be linked more closely to education.
Student counselling
Student welfare is an important theme nationwide. Students experience stress and have difficulty meeting all the demands of our time. International students face the additional challenge of getting used to living in a different culture. This is no different at ArtEZ.
There is a need for personal, intensive guidance among students. This requires more facilities for student counselling, for example through the presence of a student psychologist and by paying more attention to ‘life skills’.
In addition, flexibility increases the range of choices available to students and this requires extra guidance as well. Consequently, the role of the student counsellor is crucial. A wide range of education and training will be made available to them. Attention has been paid to improving the central provision of information so that students can find their way around ArtEZ faster and more easily. Attention is also paid to intercultural competences among teachers, members of staff and students for a more inclusive study environment.