Editorial
18 Jun 2010
As we are slowly looking forward to the summer holidays, we are as busy as ever with the NFP, NPT and NICHE programmes. This issue gives you an overview of the latest developments and two interesting views from the field.
Renewed NFP around the corner
We report on the recently launched Holland Alumni network, a platform for both alumni and institutions, in relation to NFP and on our preparations for the new application system Scholarships Online (SOL).
Views from the field
We asked Ben Beuming of Wageningen UR to give his view on the Netherlands Fellowship Programmes and its predecessors.
We also travelled to Delft for an interview with UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education to discuss their experience with NPT, also in relation to other capacity development programmes in the water sector.
NICHE updates
Since our last newsletter, one new NICHE Programme Outline has been signed, in Indonesia. More details about upcoming activities in Indonesia and a copy of the Programme Outline will become available on our website early July.
In this issue we look at Ghana, where we expect to be publishing the first NICHE tenders after the summer.
You can find the latest information on upcoming tenders in our constantly-updated project pipeline at www.nuffic.nl/pipeline.
Gender
In the previous edition of our newsletter we presented our strategy document on gender, one of the two focus areas of the NICHE programme, together with labour market linkages, which will be addressed in this issue.
Gender continues to be high on our agenda with a special Seminar on 'Gender in NICHE' for Dutch implementers to be held on 17 June. This will help them mainstream gender in their proposals and, of course, in the implementation of NICHE projects.
TVET: matching demand and supply
Finally, we take a look at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). A NICHE strategy document on TVET is due to be approved shortly and a number of NICHE projects will be addressing this theme, which is crucial in linking labour market demand and supply.
We hope you will enjoy the read and please do not hesitate to send us your comments and suggestions.
Joep Houterman
Director Capacity Building and Scholarships
