University Council discusses Development Strategy and Implementation Plan for Campus The Hague 2020-2030
On Monday 28 September, the University Council (UR) will discuss the Development Strategy and the Implementation Plan for Leiden University's Campus The Hague 2020-2030. The plan will then be put on the agenda of the meeting of the UR with the Executive Board on 12 October. After this, the plans for the coming ten years can start to take firm shape.
One university in two cities
Leiden University is one university in two cities: Leiden and The Hague. All the university's faculties play an active part in The Hague. The development strategy for the coming ten years will build further on this. The new plans closely reflect the profile of the city and the metropolitan, national and international character of The Hague. The expansion of Campus The Hague will be located in the yet-to-be-developed Campus Boulevard area within the Central Innovation District (CID).
Carel Stolker, Rector Magnificus of Leiden University, commented, 'This is an excellent development both for the city of The Hague and for the university.'
Teaching and research
The teaching within the university, both in Leiden and The Hague, is firmly based on research. The university's wealth of knowledge across a broad range of disciplines is applied in all the research and teaching that take place on the Campus. Besides a responsible growth in bachelor's and master's programmes, in the coming years the university also plans to invest in teaching programmes specifically aimed at professionals. Erwin Muller, Director of Campus The Hague: 'The new development strategy is an important step forward for the city of The Hague.'
Impact and the city
Leiden University intends to reinforce the standing of The Hague as City of Knowledge by strengthening current relations and expanding the existing networks. The university's ambition is to make a contribution to the innovative potential of The Hague and to be a motor for new jobs in the local area, by focusing on entrepreneurship and attracting new talent to the city. The university has a further aim with these plans: to help break down the barriers that discourage some school pupils - 'the children of the city of The Hague' - from considering studying at university.
Discussion in the University Council
'With these kinds of issues, consultation with students and staff is essential,' says Charlotte de Roon, chair of the University Council (UR). 'The UR is currently working hard on preparing an advisory document for the Executive Board on the proposed plans for The Hague. And we will continue to give constructive criticism on the plans in the coming years.'
Preliminary discussions have already taken place this week in the various committees of the UR. The key points on which the UR is calling for particular attention to be paid include:
- The close connection between Leiden and The Hague: Leiden University is and will remain one university.
- Student and staff participation, given that all the university's faculties have activities that take place at Campus The Hague.
- The plans may not result in less attention being paid to the challenges currently facing us as a university, such as pressure of work and temporary staff appointments.
- The financial underpinning of the plans and an inventory of potential risks are important, particularly in view of the current pandemic.
Leiden University, Campus The Hague
Leiden University has locations in two cities: Leiden and The Hague. Over the past twenty years, Campus The Hague has grown strongly and now has some 6,000 students, 500 members of staff and 18 bachelor's and master's programmes. Besides this strategic plan for The Hague, the university is also working on a strategy for the city of Leiden. The developments in both cities will run in parallel and will complement one another.