More emphasis on ‘synergy’
- Windesheim will conduct central control on collaboration between Almere and Zwolle.
- At the start of a new study program, curricula should be filled out the same at both locations.
Existing study programs that have the same CROHO-registration, but are drawn upon differently in Zwolle and Flevoland will be asked to work together in the future. This is listed in the memorandum ‘Startnotitie samenwerking opleidingen Flevoland that is submitted by the Executive Council to the Central Participation Council. When Windesheim Flevoland arose, it was a conscious choice to develop Almere individually, separately from Zwolle. A shared strategic framework did not exist. The directors assembly thinks it is time to become one University of Applied Sciences operating from two different locations.
Study programs with the same CROHO have to consider the arrangements of the examination board, the test policy and the course-admission policy together from now on. Differences between the study programs will only be allowed if the regional context justifies this. “The intention is to achieve optimal knowledge sharing and reach synergy benefits that reduce workload. We want to make room for the elevation of the quality and innovation of education’, thus the memorandum.”
From an equivalent collaboration, divisions in Flevoland and Zwolle have to create a roadmap. The roadmap will be created under Flevoland’s direction. Rien Komen, director of Windesheim Flevoland: ‘’This means just as much to Zwolle as for Flevoland. They have to indicate why they give a different interpretation too.” We have to be able to explain to the Institutional Accreditation what the differences between the study programs are. We will not be able to explain that two teams only meet up once every few years.‘’
There are more reasons to choose for more unity. The regions of Zwolle and Flevoland have been growing closer together during the last couple of years. And Windesheim chose for a new strategic course last year. Because of this the differences between priorities have decreased: Zwolle concentrates less on Masters, research and elite study programs. Rien Komen: ”Zwolle made a sturdy movement towards Flevoland. Just look at the attention for the associate degree and the inflow of vocational education students.” The Central Participation Council said that the memorandum will probably call up feelings of concern from employees in Almere.
‘’This piece comes across as top down. People will think ‘I have nothing to say about this’ and ‘will this plan really reduce workload?’’ is what councillor Bas den Herder from Flevoland asked college chairman Henk Hagoort. Hagoort assured that the study programs are allowed to draw up their own elaboration of the memorandum and because of that will be able to follow their own course. ‘’ The choice for creating a separate curriculum should be deliberate. If it is, then that is fine.’’ (EM)
