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Internationalisation

In general

In 2002, the Open Universiteit in the Netherlands took its first steps towards implementation of its internationalisation policy. Contrary to most institutions for higher education, the exchange of students or attracting them to come is not is a prime focus here.

This is less relevant for the Open Universiteit since it does not have a traditional campus. It offers only limited contact education, and its students usually combine their study with work and family.

The Open Universiteit  especially concentrates on activities that strengthen and expand its role as an international frontrunner in e-learning. Its ties with Flanders, which belongs to the Dutch language area, are also of importance.

Flanders

Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, does does not have its own institution for distance education. To provide Flemish students the opportunity nonetheless to follow distance education, our institution has worked jointly with Flanders since 1984.

The responsibility for the administrative process lies with the Flemish universities. A total of 1,936 students were enrolled in the Flemish study centres during the year 2002, which meant a steady growth over the years.

The Open Universiteit also co-operates with specific Flemish educational institutions, including the Catholic University of Louvain, the University of Ghent and the Free University of Brussels. This relationship involves the support and hosting of Mercator, a design and development environment for electronic learning materials that has been produced by us.
Consultations with the department of education of the Ministry of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Interuniversity Council have been intensified. Discussions have dealt with structural cooperation, which the parties wish to structure in e-learning projects.

European Union projects

The Open Universiteit is active in different EU funded projects, both regionally as well projects focussed on R&D in the Seventh Framework Programme.

Joining forces with international companies

The international activities of the Open Universiteit are especially focused on creating a relations network that includes all components that are needed to achieve e-learning, from computer hardware and networks to educational materials and technical expertise.