2016-2020
strategic agenda
Internationalisation:
a world of difference
2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Strategische
2016-2020
agenda
strategic
agenda
2016 – 2020
Internationalisation:
a world of difference
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Internationalisation:
a world of difference
Both the Netherlands and the world around us are globalising at a rapid pace.
Companies and governments maintain many international connections, and cities and
towns have developed multicultural societies. For these reasons, it is important for all
students to develop international and intercultural skills. Knowledge from abroad has
become more accessible, which is beneficial. Therefore, the international dimension is
becoming increasingly important to education.
We believe that all students deserve the opportunity to acquire international
knowledge and skills at all stages of their education: at primary and secondary
school, and as part of vocational and higher education.
We encourage students from the Netherlands and abroad to push their boundaries,
and urge and support education professionals to apply internationalisation. We share
stories of successes and pitfalls, and provide decision-makers and administrators
with new insights on how internationalisation enriches and improves education, and
how it contributes to the Netherlands’ social and economic strength.
All of the above we do in collaboration with our partners. By internationalising
education, we will make a world of difference!
Guiding principles
The 2016-2020 strategic agenda sets out the principles that govern our work. It
outlines how we plan to realise our vision and mission in the years ahead based on
the solid foundation created by Nuffic and the European Platform.
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Education with an international orientation is essential in a globalising society like
the Netherlands. Globalisation brings world problems closer to home. Likewise, the
actions of the Netherlands affect societies in other parts of the world. It is therefore
a good thing for students to have a solid grounding in international, intercultural and
citizenship skills. EP-Nuffic wishes to make a contribution in this regard. Education
with an international orientation offers students an all-round formation (Bildung).
It teaches them confidence, adaptability and language skills. It prepares them for
life in an international society, broadens their view of the world and expands their
opportunities in the labour market.
EP-Nuffic helps schools and institutions to choose from the broad spectrum of
internationalisation options. We do this by developing, collecting and disseminating
expertise. We also offer services that meet the demand from the education system
itself, and take an active part in the national and global debate on internationalisation.
At the juncture of research and education, EP-Nuffic also devotes attention to
internationalisation of applied research and to the international recruitment of PhD
students.
Our mission:
Internationalising education
At EP-Nuffic, we work to put internationalisation at the very core of education.
To achieve all of this, we maximise our use of our national and international networks,
our knowledge of the education sectors, developments in internationalisation and the
available resources and programmes.
We inspire, advise, support and connect education and research institutions,
government authorities, companies, students, teachers/lecturers and knowledge
workers in their activities to further strengthen education through internationalisation.
Our scope is worldwide: we focus not just on the Netherlands and Europe, but also
on emerging economies and developing countries.
By employing knowledge from all over the world, we exert a positive influence on:
1. the quality of education and research;
2. the economic development of the Netherlands;
3. the social and cultural skills of Dutch citizens, including mutual
understanding; and
4. peaceful international relations between our country and the rest of
the world.
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
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Internationalisation: a world of difference
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
What do we mean by
‘internationalisation of education’?
The concept of internationalisation has various meanings and interpretations in
education. It can mean ‘being international’, but it can also mean ‘making things more
international’. EP-Nuffic assigns three different meanings to ‘internationalisation of
education’:
1. applying knowledge and expertise from or about other countries in
education;
2. increasing the familiarity, accessibility and appeal of the Dutch
education system relative to education systems in other countries;
3. international collaboration in education between the Netherlands and
other countries.
In the past, internationalisation of education was often used as a synonym for
‘student mobility’. We see internationalisation as a toolkit. This toolkit includes
student mobility, as well as collaborative online international learning/eTwinning,
joint degree programmes, teacher/lecturer/staff mobility, international accreditation,
and internationalisation at home. Schools and institutions can make their own
choices from these options based on their own strategic objectives and suitable to
the institution or school profile. Knowledge and understanding of the significance of
globalisation and the Bologna process support these choices.
At the heart of
the education community
There are many who reap the benefits of internationalisation. This creates a great deal
of diversity among national and international stakeholders:
• Dutch government organisations and the European Commission;
• schools and institutions, from primary schools to research universities
and their umbrella organisations;
• teachers/academic staff, current and potential students (and their
parents);
• the corporate sector and other social parties;
• international partners (from embassies to knowledge institutes and
government authorities).
EP-Nuffic liaises between these parties as the primary expertise and service centre
for internationalisation in Dutch education. We can only be successful if we link
organisations and operate independently – but not alone. The decades of experience
gathered by the precursors to our organisation have laid a solid foundation: our
networks, knowledge and expertise will enable us to bring these plans to fruition.
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Co-creation
and interaction
Reinforce
and innovate
Building on the existing foundation will enable our organisation to continue to develop
and offer long-term added value to all of our stakeholders. EP-Nuffic achieves this by
approaching everybody as a partner: discussions always involve a joint examination
of where knowledge, product and service needs lie. We actively search for ways to
bring people together who can join with us to develop new knowledge, products and
services. Any products and services that we develop or offer must have a distinct
support base among the commissioning parties, stakeholders and clients.
Over the next five years, we aim to reinforce our role as an expertise and service
centre, expanding it in terms of both range and depth. To do so we will monitor
developments and, where possible, adapt our products and services accordingly.
We will keep doing what we do best in areas such as credential evaluation and
programme administration. And we will continue to develop our skills. In addition to
strengthening our role as an expertise and service centre, we also aim to create new
focus areas. Finally, realising our objectives will require a shift within the organisation
towards powerful action, flexibility and innovative capacity.
This requires co-creation and flexible interaction. EP-Nuffic regularly holds
client satisfaction surveys and identifies their wishes and needs in the field of
internationalisation of education. To do so, we develop and manage a range of
instruments and work closely together with other organisations and experts. It also
goes without saying that we make use of our national and international networks,
and offer a powerful knowledge platform for internationalisation of education and
research.
Our exact plans for reinforcement and innovation have been divided into three areas
and are outlined under six strategic agenda items:
Area 1 - Our role: house of internationalisation
• Agenda item 1: Acting as a source of inspiration for internationalisation
based on our expertise
• Agenda item 2: Service provider and intermediary for the entire
education sector
Area 2 - New focal points
• Agenda item 3: Towards a sector-wide internationalisation agenda for
education
• Agenda item 4: Capacity building to match internationalisation
objectives
• Agenda item 5: Linking internationalisation of education with the job
market
Area 3 - Organisational development
• Agenda item 6: A powerful, flexible and innovative organisation
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Area 1
Our role: house of internationalisation
The recent Dutch cabinet vision on internationalisation expressly described EP-Nuffic
as the ‘House of Internationalisation’. We will happily take on this role this role and
fulfil it as a source of inspiration, service provider and intermediary. Our choice of
roles may vary, depending on the need.
We are constantly developing as an expertise and service centre, two areas that are
strongly interconnected. Our services create knowledge which we are happy to make
accessible to our stakeholders, and our expertise helps us to improve our services.
We have invested significantly in our expertise and
I like your self-confidence!
services in recent years, and will continue to do so in
Wonderful to read that you are the the future. Our principal approach in this respect is to
House of Internationalisation!!!
act as a source of inspiration for internationalisation,
Fantastic!!!!’
and to serve the education sector in its entirety.
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Agenda item 1
Acting as a source of inspiration for internationalisation based on our
expertise
EP-Nuffic improves internationalisation of education through innovation. We apply
developed products in other sectors, and develop new products using both research
and co-creation. We utilise knowledge from other areas including IT and marketing.
This allows us to further expand on our own knowledge base and share our insights
into internationalisation of education. Our customer surveys and interviews have
revealed a need for thought leadership. This means being able to identify key
strategic areas to allow our stakeholders to realise their objectives. It also means
bringing together partners and pioneers in these areas. This is a role that we are
suited to, not only because we already have plenty of knowledge and experience, but
also because we know where to find it.
Our existing knowledge is fuelled by research that we either commission or conduct
ourselves, and most of all, by the many positive and inspiring examples we see in
educational practice. We also analyse new developments both in the Netherlands
and abroad. This enables us to create an effective knowledge base for contributing to
social debates, training internationalisation specialists and developing services in new
areas, such as bilingual primary education and ‘internationalisation at home’.
EP-Nuffic’s knowledge network includes: a professorship, lectorates, international
experts and sister organisations. The years ahead will see organisational
improvements to the network to bring together the available knowledge more
effectively. We are also arguing for a professorship in internationalisation in the
Netherlands, in addition to the existing professorship for bilingual education. By
gaining broader and more in-depth knowledge on both internationalisation and its
benefits, we contribute to further professionalisation in the field.
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Together with the education sector, we will set up and implement a knowledge
programme. This programme will address areas such as mobility, international
collaboration, and quality assurance and accreditation. We will closely monitor
international developments in each of these areas, bringing our own influence where
possible.
Continue the current approach;
bringing people together, playing
an active role, partnering,
adopting a vulnerable position,
might serve as a lesson for other
organisations. Continue the good
work!’
One of our organisational units – the Knowledge and
Innovation department – is the beating heart of the
expertise centre. The knowledge itself, however, is
present throughout our organisation and our networks.
Make sure not to lose contact
with the field, not to move too far
ahead of your people.’
Agenda item 2
Service provider and intermediary for the entire education sector
EP-Nuffic has a good reputation as an administrator and implementing body for
public internationalisation programmes. We place great importance on maintaining
this reputation by continuing to perform our duties effectively. It is therefore crucial to
maintain contact with our target groups and stakeholders, to ensure that our range
of services for the future of the education sector remains appealing and up-to-date.
It is for this reason that we keep close ties with schools and institutions through our
own education networks (such as Nivo, bilingual education (TTO), LinQ, early foreign
language education (VVTO) and Chinese language and culture) as well as external
networks (such as HIB, UPI and Dhenim).
Internationalisation occurs in various ways in education. It also takes place at various
stages of development in different schools and institutions. We keep all education
sectors informed of what we can do for them. We will gladly remain responsible in the
years ahead for the work for which we are well known, such as the implementation
of the Erasmus+ and other programmes, the evaluation of educational qualifications,
encouraging bilingual education and promoting Dutch education abroad. EP-Nuffic
aims to further promote the service-oriented nature of these activities. We also offer
tailored services (such as information and consulting services) to accommodate
developments in specific fields of education. And we will try to be more active in
reaching and supporting teachers and academic staff in all sectors.
Below we outline the key focus areas for the development of our services in the years
ahead for each sector.
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Range and depth
in primary and secondary education
Professionalisation and embedding
in vocational education and training
We are aiming for a solid foundation of international and intercultural skills for all
primary and secondary school students. We try to ensure that teaching materials
become more internationally oriented. Modern foreign languages are also extremely
important: they constitute the tools that students can use to communicate with
confidence, and to understand other cultures. For this reason, the focus in recent
years has been on teaching languages (bilingual education, or TTO), creating
networks and embedding internationalisation in schools. We will continue with these
activities, for instance through the sharing of good practices. We also aim to generate
a greater impact in the years ahead by creating greater conceptual depth.
Vocational education and Training (VET) is a largely new area for EP-Nuffic, a
sector that historically has not enjoyed the basic level of support that primary/
secondary schools and higher education institutions have. We are helping to make
internationalisation an embedded component of VET, bilingual education being one
example. We will also be helping institutions to realise the goal of having 6% of
VET students gain experience abroad by 2020, aided by our knowledge of student
mobility in other education sectors.
Our reach of schools can still be vastly improved, with primary schools in particular
– younger students especially can benefit greatly from international experience.
Expanding our consulting and information activities will help us to reach more
schools, which means more students. Teachers play a key role in this respect, which
is why we aim to bolster the profile of internationalisation in professional development
activities for teachers. This means, for example, providing training courses, and
applications such as Line – the online learning environment for internationalisation.
In secondary education, it is important for the sector to develop a cohesive
internationalisation policy. We support schools in implementing good-quality
internationalisation and professional development activities for teachers.
EP-Nuffic also encourages schools to develop curricular continuity policies for
internationalisation. We also envisage growth in both the number and level of bilingual
(TTO) and ELOS schools. We are expanding the Chinese school network according to
a new concept, taking the differences between school levels into consideration.
EP-Nuffic is also working to identify opportunities for collaboration outside the EU,
keeping in mind both the practical focus of this education sector and the close ties
with the labour market. Where necessary, we will also enhance our services through
partnerships with VET specialists.
Teacher-training programmes:
reinforcing the foundations
Internationalisation of education requires qualified teachers. They need to know how
to apply internationalisation, and to learn its importance during their own training.
This will increase the likelihood that every Dutch citizen who has enjoyed primary and
secondary education will acquire a basic set of international skills.
Teacher training programmes will create a snowball effect, enabling us to reach our
objectives even faster. Our ideal is that, at the end of a teacher training programme,
every student will have gained experience in incorporating internationalisation into
their lessons. We also offer refresher courses. These measures will equip all teachers
for using internationalisation and their own professional freedom to work towards set
goals.
But we still have a way to go: teacher training programmes are currently still among
the least internationalised programmes in higher education. And yet it is precisely
these programmes that can lay the groundwork for internationalisation from a young
age. EP-Nuffic aims to contribute to this process by encouraging institutions to
embed internationalisation in their education programmes and policies.
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Internationalisation: a world of difference
Higher education:
supporting appropriate choices and the hunt for talent
Area 2
New focal points
EP-Nuffic is constantly improving and renewing its services. Internationalisation
activities vary greatly both between and within higher education institutions. Our
goal is to ensure that by 2020 all Dutch higher education institutions have the
knowledge and skills required to choose appropriately from among the different forms
of internationalisation for their own faculties and programmes. Accessibility to all
students and quality of internationalisation (both mobility and internationalisation at
home) are the key concepts in this regard.
In addition to reinforcement, further development and improved cohesion among our
existing activities, we will be focusing on three new areas in the years ahead. These
are in response to significant developments in our environment.
Over the next few years, the ‘hunt for talent’ will
be the focus of many Dutch universities. EP-Nuffic
supports and encourages the projection of a clear
image of Dutch higher education abroad. For
universities of applied sciences we are striving for
greater international recognition, for example through
applied research in Living Labs. Research universities’
solid international position in education and research can still be better utilised, by
bolstering collaboration, among other things. EP-Nuffic plays a vital supporting role in
achieving these objectives by intensifying alumni and
The teachers and academic
branding activities and further consolidating the Neso
staff play a crucial role. They
network.
reach every single person in
the Netherlands, so they really
need to be properly qualified
and aware of the added value
of internationalisation.’
EP-Nuffic staff will face the
challenge of selecting the right
tone and the right type of service
for every individual sector.’
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• Firstly, we wish to aid the development of an internationalisation
agenda aimed at the acquisition of international and intercultural
competencies by all students.
• Secondly, we are looking at a new approach to capacity building,
prompted by changing perceptions and developments in global
society.
• Our final new focus examines better ways to link internationalisation of
education with the labour market.
Agenda item 3
Towards a sector-wide internationalisation agenda for education
By the end of their schooling or studies, all students deserve to have acquired
international and intercultural competencies. Competencies that enable them to work,
live and learn successfully in a globalising landscape. Curricular continuity policies
are essential in this regard: students must be able to build on their prior learning. To
this end, we will be initiating three processes:
1. Vision development: encouraging integration of internationalisation
into the policy agendas of all educational sectors. We will either
facilitate or initiate the discussion ourselves on the underlying values
of internationalisation policy. Stakeholders can then use this as a basis
for creating connections between policy agendas.
2. Education development: working on a curricular continuity policy for
internationalisation focusing on intercultural competencies (among
other areas). Internationalisation contributes to the development of
intercultural competencies. We expect that curricular continuity will
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
Internationalisation: a world of difference
contribute to improved entry and exit qualifications for students at all
levels. EP-Nuffic will be launching a research project to investigate
these possibilities.
3. Gaining joint experience through local experiments: there is limited
research literature available on system-wide internationalisation of
education. Pilot projects will lay the necessary additional groundwork
for this. These projects will take place in various regions of the
Netherlands, and in collaboration with municipal authorities, the
corporate sector and the education system. Sectors, schools,
institutions and study programmes will be able to set their own
objectives in the projects.
Use results and good
practices to explain the
purpose of internationalisation.
Persuade people to embrace
internationalisation by showing
the great and good things that
it brings. That’s more important
than making it mandatory.’
To support these processes, we will offer a platform
facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience
among education sectors. This is a necessary step
towards discussing obstacles during the transitions
between types and levels of education, searching
for solutions together and coordinating the various
approaches taken. EP-Nuffic will coordinate the
joint efforts with all education partners and collect
knowledge from the literature and from other sources.
In doing so we will respond to actual developments in education wherever possible,
as we do not see internationalisation as a separate element, but rather as an
integrated part of education. For this reason we will be
Opt for a programme-based
taking an active part in discussions, for example within
approach in capacity building and
the context of Education 2032 (Onderwijs 2032).
stimulate collaboration between
institutions and businesses
by making the right matches
between them.’
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Agenda item 4
Capacity building to match internationalisation objectives
Capacity building is a significant part of collaboration in education and research
with developing countries. The goal is to help other countries develop their own
knowledge infrastructure in response to local and international needs. This process
requires specific knowledge, expertise and instruments.
Capacity building is part of our social responsibility to contribute to the formation,
Bildung, of new generations. At the same time, the Dutch government has embraced
an ‘aid-to-trade’ policy. EP-Nuffic will be adjusting its role accordingly. We will make
use of new approaches and partners (such as the corporate sector) since they can
supply much-needed innovation.
We also allow Dutch organisations to benefit from the opportunities that capacity
building can offer in achieving strategic goals in education and research, which
include generating knowledge and the development of international and intercultural
competencies. Many countries that were traditionally classified as developing nations
are now becoming middle-income countries. They are partially using their own
resources to seek collaboration with knowledge institutes in Europe. Their aim is to
allow their economies and their own education and research institutes to take part in
global developments.
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2016-2020 strategic agenda
EP-Nuffic has decades of experience with the programmes made available by the
Dutch government and other sponsors. These programmes will be adapted to be in
line with the new government objectives. We will continue to support the government,
institutions and businesses in the realisation of their international objectives
concerning education and research in developing countries. In our approach we strive
for sustainability, consideration for context, and a balance between the interests of
the various partners.
To achieve this, EP-Nuffic will link the strategic agendas of professional and highereducation institutions in the Netherlands and in developing countries. We will
share and expand on the knowledge and experience gained, and coordinate with
international sponsors. We encourage the development of strategic partnerships to
set up joint education and research programmes. EP-Nuffic supports the introduction
of new forms of collaboration, based on its experiences with Living Labs and the
‘triple helix’.
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Agenda item 5
Linking internationalisation of education with the job market
One of the positive effects of internationalisation is that graduates of Dutch education
institutions are better equipped for the increasingly global job market. Furthermore,
international students who go on to work in the Netherlands provide an important
impetus for our economy. The development of international and intercultural
competencies and the retention of international talent are therefore key themes.
Consequently, EP-Nuffic will solidify links between internationalisation of education
and the labour market. This means we will be targeting the corporate sector more
specifically than in the past. We will seek collaboration with vocational education
institutions that have already established solid links between education and industry.
We offer schools and institutions footholds for implementing internationalisation in a
way that will increase labour-market opportunities for all students at all levels.
To this end, we will be concentrating our role as an expertise and service centre
on how internationalisation can benefit students’ personal and professional growth
to improve their opportunities on the labour market. Competencies specific to a
globalising labour market (such as intercultural competencies and 21st-century
skills) are high up on EP-Nuffic’s employability agenda. We also devote attention to
internationalisation of lifelong learning, adult education and refresher training.
We will also work with the Dutch corporate sector to examine the opportunities for
career-building in the Netherlands. The demand from technology companies for
international graduates both now and in the future is one key concern in this regard.
Together with businesses and centres of excellence, we are future-proofing the ‘Make
it in the Netherlands!’ programme, which is aimed at the retention of international
talent.
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Another recurring theme is that education institutions, government authorities
and businesses (SMEs especially) are calling for a removal of barriers to mobility.
Relaxed legislation will allow for more work placement and employment positions
for international talent. EP-Nuffic is already working on this issue by taking stock of
the existing barriers and putting them on the agenda. We will expand on that role to
better serve the triple helix.
The stronger focus on the labour market means that a proactive (Dutch and
international) alumni policy is also becoming increasingly important. Alumni are in
a better position than any other to promote Dutch
I find the connection between
education abroad and further harmonise diplomatic
education and the job market an
relations. They can also act as valuable potential
excellent focus of your work.
trading partners and employees, both nationally
It is very hands-on and will affect and internationally. For these reasons, we will be
everyone. Internationalisation
intensifying our alumni activities in the years ahead.
can be such a cryptic term. It can
mean everything and nothing.
With this connection, everyone
will understand the importance.’
Internationalisation: a world of difference
Area 3
Organisational development
An ambitious strategic plan requires an organisation that is well-equipped to attain
the set objectives. An organisation that can respond effectively to changes in its
environment, and stays in close contact with its target groups and clients. This
strategic agenda would therefore be incomplete without a focus on the organisation
itself. EP-Nuffic increases its range of influence, flexibility and innovation capacity.
This requires an approach that goes beyond the mere integration of two parties to a
merger. We will use the strengths of the European Platform and Nuffic to develop an
organisation with an entrepreneurial culture geared towards innovation.
Agenda item 6
A powerful, flexible and innovative organisation
EP-Nuffic is changing from a traditional task-oriented organisation into a customeroriented and innovative service provider. On the one hand, this requires a high degree
of efficiency in which lawfulness, transparency and predictability play an important
role. On the other, the organisation must be able to respond to its environment in an
effective, flexible and innovative manner. We also need to increase our knowledge of
education and educational processes to be an effective sparring partner for education
institutions, government authorities and the corporate sector. We are convinced that
it is precisely our expertise and reputation – both built up over many years – that
will enable us to innovate in this way. The merger between Nuffic and the European
Platform has provided the ideal opportunity and perspective for taking stock of the
organisation in 2015 and preparing it for the future we envisage.
An important aspect of organisational development is entrepreneurship: we should
expect all employees to take an entrepreneurial approach to their work. This requires
them to have a thorough knowledge of their field of operation so they can identify
opportunities for the organisation. They also need to be familiar with the organisation
itself to allow them to act as ambassadors to the outside world. They must be
sensitive to the needs of clients, but also able to identify potential new clients and
customers. In addition to individual schools and institutions, these may also include
international partners.
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Our people are our greatest asset, which is why the management of EP-Nuffic
attaches great value to its employees and their development. Entrepreneurial
professionals can turn ideas into reality, are pro-active and creative. We encourage
our employees to excel in all areas of the organisation, and pursue an HRM policy
with a strong focus on individual development. Our employees can adapt successfully
to changing circumstances, respond effectively to conditions in the outside world and
are extremely well-informed about our field of operations.
With this HRM policy, our organisation aims to be a reflection of society, with all of its
precious social and cultural diversity. It also demonstrates our appeal as an employer,
with modern employment conditions and flexible solutions to allow our employees to
work independent of time or location.
Internationalisation: a world of difference
In conclusion
Using the draft version of our strategic agenda, we gave ourselves plenty of time
to enter into discussions regarding our objectives and the course we aim to take
towards 2020. During this process, we tapped into the knowledge and experience
available both within and external to EP-Nuffic. Based on the draft, we held
consultation meetings to talk to administrators from the education system, teachers
and academic staff, students from all levels, government representatives, international
colleagues, companies and other experts.
Based on the uniformly invaluable feedback we received, we then completed the
strategic agenda and discussed it with our board of trustees. It now serves as the
guiding principle for our work going forward.
This agenda sets out objectives, focus areas and activities. The details of
implementation and the financial (and other) consequences will be finalised annually
in activity plans, for the benefit of the organisation and its various units. The first
of these shall be the 2016 activity plan. Our task for the period ahead is to work all
aspects of this strategic agenda step-by-step into activity plans. The strategic agenda
will be regularly scrutinised against the progress and concrete results achieved by our
organisation.
The texts in italics are a
selection of comments
made by participants in
the consultative meetings.
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Internationalisation: a world of difference
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