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Linking Higher Education to the World of Work: Saxion Connect

Chris van den Borne, Director International Office

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About Saxion University

• Public University of Applied Sciences

• Multidisciplinary teaching

• First academy established in 1875

• 24,000 students, 2,000 staff

• 1000 international students in International Programmes

• 13 schools, 5 Research Centers for Applied Research

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About Saxion University

• Comprehensive university, predominantly undergraduate level

• Focus on profession-oriented education through teaching and

undergraduate research

• Professional Masters’ programmes in key fields

• Regional focus for most programmes, national profile in key fields

• Quality education under public scrutiny and accreditation

• International Profile and Strategy

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Saxion University in the World

Our International Mission• Each graduate has international

professional competencies and has access to the international job market

• On Education and Research we cooperate with our international partners in projects and joint and double degrees

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An International Community• More than 1,000 international students, coming from all

over the world (60 different nationalities)

Afghanistan Algeria Angola Argentina Brazil Cameroon China Colombia Congo

El Salvador Ethopia Germany Ghana Hungary India Indonesia Iran Finland

Japan Mexico Netherlands Peru Oman Poland Portugal Rwanda Vietnam

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International Strategy• International component in every

study programme

• Internationalisation starting from regional strengths

• International education and research offer for international students and partners

• Network of Preferred Higher

Education Partners

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Partners & International Projects

• Staff Exchange• Students Exchange• Capacity Building• Curriculum Development• Combined Research• Combined Consultancy• Joint and Double Degrees• 3+1 or 3+2 cooperation

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Building a Curriculum for Professional Education

• Each Academy has a Survey Committee from the World of Work that gives input about knowledge skills and attitude

• Curriculum is not only based on contents (scientific disciplines) but also on professional competencies for their future careers

• Curriculum with practical periods outside of the University under supervision of the University staff

• Research projects on real time problems in the world of work

9

Co-Creatie

Students

Teachers World of Work

Coaching / evaluations on process & content-Apprenticeship-Assessment-Review

Accountability ECTS-Portfolio-Personal development plan

Human capital-Ideas-Solutions (services/products)-Junior researchers

Inspiring environment-Challenging Assignments-Coaching on Content

Human capital-Senior researchers-Know-how

Inspring environment-Insight into world of work

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Saxion Connect: Matching high potentials and employers

• Saxion and University of Twente

• Unique opportunities for international graduates and companies

because of the search year

• More information on www.saxion.edu/connect

• Kickstart for students’ career

• Improves students’chances on the job market

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Why Connect?

• International graduates want to stay and work in the Netherlands.

• Employers need workers with international mindset, specific

knowledge and diverse cultural backgrounds

• Shortage of highly skilled workers

• Implementation of search year for employment.

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Partners

• University of Twente

• Chamber of Commerce

• Randstad, Xelvin, Brunel: Recruitment agencies

• Other organizations for expanding our network

and communications: SME (MKB), VNO-NCW

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Recruitment & Selection

• Perspective graduate students

• Selection is based on certain criteria: motivation, talent,

language skills, educational background

• maximum 30 students per year

• Involvement of recruitment companies

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Skills trainings• Job application skills• Communication skills:

– Networking– Presentations– Giving and receiving feedback

• The Dutch labour market• Intercultural skills (3 sessions)• Basic Dutch Language Course

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Results to date• 24 trainees placed• Assortment of firms:

– Small, Mid-size, and Multinationals – Diverse branches

• Wide range of assignments• 2011-2012: 25 candidates

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INDES - EnschedeWanshu Zhang (China), Accounting & Finance

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Future Goals

• Introducing more international content into Saxion curricula.

• Deliver world class international education

• More support policies for international students and staff

• Preparing graduats who can work cross-culturally.

• Strengthen Saxion’s ties with its international alumni

• To reduce prejudice and to develop mutual understanding and

cooperation in different levels.

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Thank you for your attention!Questions?

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Partners & International Projects

• History of cooperation in Eastern Europe and Asia

• Building a network of preferred partnerships

• Active Member of HIB/HBO raad, Profound, NUFFIC council.

• International partners in Europe and Asia