Nuffic examines interest in development cooperation programmes

Internationalisation has become an integrated practice in Dutch higher education and participation in development cooperation programmes is a distinctive part of this.
 

Professional involvement and Dutch expertise

Thanks to the programmes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, institutions can professionally engage with developing countries. This contributes to the quality of education and research.

At the same time, Dutch knowledge and expertise play an essential role in achieving the aims of the programmes with regard to knowledge development, dissemination and application.
 

The times are changing

Over the last ten years, however, both the characteristics of these educational development programmes and the context of this form of international cooperation have changed.

Also, the way in which institutions interpret their role in society has changed following national and international developments. Due to their increased autonomy institutions increasingly set their own targets and ambitions.
 

Pressure to perform

At the same time, there is more pressure to perform and institutions are increasingly being held accountable for their output.

Added to that is the rise in international competition and the increasing importance of reputation. Financial restrictions are forcing institutions to concentrate on core activities (i.e. teaching and research) and give up initiatives that do not entirely fit in with these core activities.
 

Triggering more interest

Together, these developments seem to influence the interest of Dutch institutions to participate in the programmes offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Do the current objectives of development programmes still align with the targets and activities of Dutch institutions? What conditions are needed to keep them on board and - more importantly – increase their involvement?
 

Input for new programmes

Nuffic will make an overview of the reasons and objectives of the Dutch higher education sector for participating in development programmes. This overview can be useful when developing new programmes.