Celebrating opportunities for flexible learning!

This week, the Lifelong Learning program of Stenden University reached an important milestone as our new concept on flexible programs was accepted by the NVAO (the Accreditation organization of the Netherlands and Flanders). This September, our flexible programs (part-time as well as work/study programs) will take part in a nationwide innovative experiment in Higher Education. 

In our new concept, the learner is the starting point. Our programs, developed by strengthening partnerships with the industries are based on the concept of learning outcomes and validating prior learning (formal and informal). The learners’ individual context, talents and ambitions are the starting point for flexible learning paths in Associate, Bachelors and Master programs. In a blended learning concept we strive to facilitate the optimal way of studying by enabeling our students to study at their own pace, using a blend of online and face-to-face contact. Contact time be individual, in a group of students/experts or colleagues. As logical as this all might sound, this is not an easy task!

A process like this is a complex and exciting journey. It challenges us to us to really rethink our ideas about education. In our institutions we often focus on our programs and teaching skills. Now, the learner and the learning process are the centre of our attention, making us focus on the learners' talents, ambitions and context. The team, active throughout this entire process, is highly motivated to find out how to inspire and facilitate learners that want (or need!) to combine their work and private life with study. The concept we work on, of course, is guided by the principle that learning continues throughout life. In our programs we want to contribute to the big challenge of institutions of Higher Education to become a Lifelong Learning partner. We try to strengthen partnerships with the industries, widen access to our institutions, and push to widen participation and push to increase participation in order to welcome a more diverse student population. We challenge ourselves to actively welcome everyone ready for “the next step” in their individual development, and we aim to be the preferred partner in their learning process. This also is an exciting learning opportunity for the University itself. It’s a blessing to see so many colleagues engaged in this process, and I’m so proud to be part of this fine example of unleashing potential, in students, staff and surroundings. 

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