NHL Stenden: The decline in the number of technical students is coming. The school is looking for a solution abroad
There are still very few students who choose technology/ICT education. So NHL Stenden is looking abroad for new recruits.
The number of students has stabilized in recent years. “But the decline is coming,” says Joski Hyge, director of the Technology and Innovation Academy at NHL Stenden.
According to her, there are fewer students anyway due to the decrease in the number of children born in recent decades. In addition, the demand for well-trained staff in the technology/ICT sector has increased in recent years.
“The sector suffers from a lack of vacancies and will remain that way. It is no coincidence that we have long been calling: Come and work in technology! There have even been special campaigns targeting girls.
The flow of ICT in English is greater than in Dutch
NHL Stenden is now looking for a solution for foreign students, among others. For example, the ICT course in Emmen had an English version a few years ago, which is now larger than the Dutch version.
“We started with 30 students, and this year it has reached 60 to 70 students. It is very nice to see foreign students coming to the Netherlands. We will definitely look at options to offer other courses in English or German.
Employment contradicts the minister’s call
It is noteworthy that the Minister of Education Dijkgraaf called on universities and colleges at the end of last year to stop recruiting foreign students for the time being. This is due to the workload of teachers and housing problems.
According to him, the sustainability and affordability of the higher education system may also come under pressure due to the movement of international students. With his call, he responded to the desire of the House of Representatives.
Heiji: “This may be the case, but we benefit from the international flow. This is highly desirable in the field of technology and ICT, to compensate for the decline in the number of Dutch students and maintain the overall number.
Heijge does not know whether foreign students will also stay in the Netherlands, and whether Dutch companies will benefit from them. “That remains to be seen.”
Business
Northern University of Applied Sciences is also looking for new employees in more than one way. Prospective students also tour companies.
“People who are already working can continue to learn. The problem is that companies cannot always do without them. We are looking at how to train these employees in a way that suits their company. We do this with a large number of companies in the North-Holland, with whom we have created learning networks. We have “We had a lot of support for him before the summer.”
Science Weekend
NHL Stenden currently has four thousand ICT/Technology students. About five hundred of them are in Emmen. This site took part in the Science Weekend on Saturday, to give young people an idea of what is done here in applied science. Kids can make things with 3D pens and conduct experiments in the lab.
“It’s nice, of course, that the kids are getting excited about it,” says Haiji. “This doesn’t have a direct impact on us, but you have to look at it as planting a seed. The goal is for kids to become interested in science and technology and think: Hey, is this something that’s for me? This weekend is a great way to put us in the spotlight, just like The First Lego League and Education Expo in Zwolle, also this weekend.
Science Weekend
During Science Weekend, more than three hundred companies, museums, universities and colleges open their doors to get a glimpse into the world of science and technology. This year’s theme is “How Does It Work?”
Science Weekend is held annually on the first weekend in October. The program can be found at www.weekendvandewetenschap.nl
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