Open University of the Netherlands

Open University of the Netherlands
Type University for distance learning
Established 1984
Academic staff
 658
Students 15.295
Location Heerlen, Netherlands
Website www.ou.nl

The Open University of the Netherlands (Dutch: Open Universiteit Nederland) is a Dutch institution for distance learning at university level. It is an independent government-funded university and uses a variety of methods, including written materials, the Internet, and occasional evening seminars or day sessions.

Overview

The Open University of the Netherlands was founded in 1984[1] and opened to students that September. The administration is based in Heerlen, in the province of Limburg, in the very south of the Netherlands. The university has study and support centres dispersed throughout the continental Netherlands, as well as study centres in Dutch-speaking Flanders (Belgium) and partnerships with institutions in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Suriname.

Since the Open University was founded, more than 250,000 students have enrolled in courses. As of September 2016, approximately 15,000 students were enrolled at study or support centres in the Netherlands,[1] including some residents of other countries.

Aims

The Dutch government's purpose in founding the Open University of the Netherlands was to make higher education accessible to anyone with the necessary aptitudes and interests, regardless of formal qualifications. The university aims to provide cost-effective education and to encourage innovation in Dutch higher education, in terms of both curriculum and teaching.

Organisation

Governance

The Chairman of the Open University of the Netherlands since June 2016 is Arent van der Feltz, former Vice President for Corporate Development, Legal, Regulatory and Public Affairs at Ziggo.[2] His predecessor was Sander van den Eijnden.[3]

Departments and faculties

The Open University consists of three faculties:[4]

In addition to this, the university has four expertise centres:

  • Welten Institute: the university's research centre for learning, teaching and technology
  • Business Intelligence & Smart Services Institute (BISS-Institute): an alliance with Maastricht University and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
  • Cyber Science Center: in cooperation with Politieacademie and NHL Hogeschool
  • NEIMED (Nederlands expertise em immovatiecentrum maatschappelijke effecten demografische krimp): an alliance with Maastricht University and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

The Open University also has two support staff departments: the Department of Administration and the Department of Support Services. These provide services ranging from academic affairs to student administration.

Courses of study

The Open University offers courses of study at the bachelor's and master's degree levels in the following disciplines: cultural studies, education science, law, management, psychology, science and technology. The university collaborates with Flemish universities to enable Belgian students to attend classes. Five of its master's degree programmes were top-ranked in 2017.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Open Universiteit benoemt zes bedrijven tot ICT-inhuur partner" (in Dutch). Consultancy.nl. 19 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "Ziggo-directeur Arent van der Feltz benoemd tot voorzitter College van Bestuur Open Universiteit" (in Dutch). Wij Limburg. 25 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Sander van den Eijnden (3 March 2016). "Kerende kansen voor de Open Universiteit". ScienceGuide (in Dutch).
  4. ↑ "OU Faculteiten". Open Universiteit Nederland. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "Open Universiteit scoort weer goed in keuzegids" (in Dutch). 1 Limburg. 28 February 2017.

Coordinates: 50°52′45″N 5°57′34″E / 50.87905°N 5.95931°E / 50.87905; 5.95931

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