Buddy programs – The Key to a Great Dutch Experience Make it in the Netherlands! Susanne Feiertag Nuffic 17 March 2014

2 Make it in the Netherlands! Program aimed at connecting international students to the Dutch labour market  Cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and Nuffic.  Program developed and implemented in cooperation with representatives of the labour market/empolyers, governmental organisations and hei.  Based on the recommendations formulated in the advisory report of SER - The Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER), addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ms Jet Bussemaker.  Main recommendations The Netherlands’ prosperity, its economy and Dutch higher education will all benefit enormously if talented foreign students can be persuaded to study in the country and remain after graduating. Companies, public and non-profit organisations, educational institutions and government should make more efforts to attract and retain foreign students. Employment and labour market shortages should play a much more important role than they do now.

3 Make it in the Netherlands! Focus of the program 1 To make sure that all international students feel welcome in the Netherlands, and know that they can start their career here. 2 As many international students as possible choose to work in the Netherlands after graduation, especially in (top)sectors with good labour-market prospects. 3 All international students maintain a bond with the Netherlands, whether they stay here to work or leave the country after graduation.

4 Make it in the Netherlands! 5 lines of action  overview 1Everything starts with language To improve international students’Dutch skills, giving them better access to Dutch society and the labour market. To improve lecturers’ English to boost the quality of the international classroom. Activities - Develop an online (introduction) Dutch language course (MOOC) - Information on Dutch language courses can be found in a single portal - Stimulate teachers to improve their skills in English

5 Make it in the Netherlands! 5 lines of action 2From studying to a career To promote and facilitate the transition from study to work for international students, especially in the science and technology sector and the top sectors. Activities a.o. - Generic promotion of higher education in the Netherlands both for study and career, and strategic recruitment based on institutions’ own promotional activities - Bring information about career prospects in the Netherlands together at - Draw attention to career opportunities in the top sectors and in the regions as part of promoting study and careers

6 Make it in the Netherlands! 5 lines of action 3Breaking the bubble To promote the integration of international students into Dutch society. Activities - Joint effort to recruit more buddies + organise annual buddy-day - Use LINE/module international classroom - Cultural connection award - Expand Holland alumni network activities in order to foster long-term connections with the Netherlands - Ensure that Dutch students associations cater for international students - Ensure student services are equipped to cater for international students

7 Make it in the Netherlands! 5 lines of action 4From red tape to the red carpet To improve and streamline administrative procedures and information. Activities a.o. - Mobstacles information line (for students and hei) - Improve administrative procedures  ‘Zoekjaar ‘ for graduates – after graduation possibility to stay in NL for one year to look for a job - Explore mixed housing options - Streamline enrolment procedures

8 Make it in the Netherlands! 5 lines of action 5Regional results To increase retention at regional level by supporting parties with a specific regional approach. Activities - Quick-scan the chances for retention of international students in the region through cooperation of hei, employers and governmental organizations and implement ‘best chances’ in 3 regions - Pilot aimed at attracting additional science/technology students to Eindhoven University of Technology and Fontys of Applied Sciences.

9 Make it in the Netherlands! Coalition  Steering committee to help provide direction for the action plan throughout its existence  min OCW, min SZW, min EZ, Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), The Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH), Nuffic, Dutch National Student Association (ISO), Dutch National Students’Union (LSVb), Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO/NCW), Dutch Trade Union Confederation (FNV), Dutch Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MKB-Nederland)  Work teams per line of action

10 Make it in the Netherlands! Coalition  Nuffic runs secretariat and carrries out half of the activities  reports, set up cooperation with Technology Convenant and VNO/NCW, support implementation of MiitN, organise interaction between between regional and national initiative  Feedback group: 2 int students, 2 NL students, 2 int alumni, 2 lecturers, 2 representatives of io’s, 2 representatives of career centers, 2 representatives from Alumni & Development offices, representatives of employers.

11 Make it in the Netherlands! Buddies  What are our ambitions and expectations?  What do we want to achieve?  What kind of results are we aiming at?  How should we present the results?