English

The Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences [HBO-raad] brings together all government-funded Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands (list). 39 Universities of Applied Sciences are affiliated to the Association. Together they have over 38,000 employees and over 400,000 students. The HBO-raad focuses on strengthening the social position of Universities of Applied Sciences. To this end it maintains contacts with a broad range of people and organisations. For contacts both inside and outside the association, the HBO-raad is the knowledge centre for applied sciences. The social position of the Universities of Applied Sciences is strengthened through the transferral of knowledge about higher education and by providing information. For the Universities of Applied Sciences the HBO-raad is an excellent platform for collaboration. The HBO-raad functions also as an employers' organisation on their behalf.

Dedicated to Quality
On 5 January 2009, the Board of the HBO-raad, the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, issued a discussion document in the form of a Green Paper as a first step towards a new agenda for the association, that is, for the HBO-raad. Relevant trends were analysed and assessed with regard to their significance to universities of applied sciences. Important challenges were identified and contrasted to the current situation in our sector. Discussions on the Green Paper were held in January and February 2009 with interested parties outside our sector and with students, lecturers, professors and directors of universities of applied sciences. In addition, a conference was held with students and a two-day conference of chairmen of the management boards of universities of applied sciences took place in March.

There was one golden thread which ran through the discussions and responses, namely, that quality should be monitored and promoted. Reference was made to the quality of and alignment with preparatory secondary education, the quality of student supervision, the quality of student programmes, the quality of employees and the quality of organisations. After March 2009, the HBO-raad started incorporating the responses into a policy document which sets out the priorities of universities of applied sciences for the coming years. This has resulted in the present document, in which the universities of applied sciences accept 'Dedicated to Quality’ as a framework which will serve as a guideline for the sector's policy in the coming years.

Video about the Universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands
In this short film the HBO-raad presents a practical example of the work done by a university of applied sciences: a research project carried out by a university in cooperation with companies based at the national Airport of the Netherlands. It illustrates the twofold mission of the Dutch universities of applied sciences: to offer highly rated education and applied research with a stronger orientation to professional practice. (This video is also published on our YouTube channel.)

Addresses and telephone numbers
The offices of the HBO-raad are located in The Hague, where professional staff with strong ties to the social importance of Universities of Applied Sciences is employed.

HBO-raad, Netherlands Association of Applied Sciences
P.O. Box 123
2501 CC The Hague
Tel.: +31 (0)70 312 21 21
Fax: +31 (0)70 312 21 00

Prospective students seeking admission to a university of applied sciences should contact Nuffic, the Netherlands Organization for International Co-operation in Higher Education. Nuffic's information centre and website can provide more information about studying in the Netherlands.

Nuffic
P.O. Box 29777
2502 LT The Hague
Tel.: +31 (0)70 426 02 00
Fax : +31 (0)70 426 02 29

Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
P.O. Box 16375
2500 BJ Den Haag
Tel.: +31 (0)70 412 34 56
Fax : +31 (0)70 412 34 50

VSNU Association of Universities in the Netherlands
Postbus 13739
2501 ES Den Haag
Tel.: +31 (0)70 302 14 00
Fax : +31 (0)70 302 14 95