The partnership: more than just 2+2
The aim of the partnership is:
- to create international classrooms in the two years at VHL, enriched through an international context;
- to create and keep an international focus of students and staff, leading to the development of internationally focused and relevant programs;
- to create additional opportunities for student exchange and/or staff exchange;
- to connect the partner universities and its students with the (local and international) labour market, resulting in a network of companies and institutes that provide internships and thesis opportunities for students and employment for graduates.
A good example is found in Kunming (China), partly due to the flowering horticultural industry in Yunnan Province. Since the start of this millennium an increasing number of Dutch companies is present in China, especially in Yunnan. Nowadays the picture of VHL's presence in Kunming is:
- partner with Yunnan Agricultural University (YAU) in the 2+2 cooperation as such;
- stakeholder in NABSO Kunming, the network of Dutch floricultural organisations in China, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (see http://nabsokunming.hollandinchina.org);
- partner in various projects with other actors in the flower industry, for example the project 'Strengthening practical education in floriculture in rural areas in Yunnan Province, China' with 2 Dutch partners (PTC+ and Van den Bos Flowerbulbs) and 2 Chinese partners (CAU and Sanli).
Furthermore VHL broadens the scope by not only dealing with joint undergraduate programmes, but also include cooperation in joint professional master programmes, consulting services, joint projects and capacity building programmes.