Our strategic goals define our focus for the coming years, aiming to create positive impact through our core activities within the selected impact domains. The action-oriented priorities provide concrete expression to these goals. They are inextricably linked, reinforcing and supporting each other. Together with the impact domains, they serve as a compass for our faculties and departments to further shape the strategy.
Leading academic education and research
By 2030, we aim to further solidify our position as a leading university recognised for high-quality academic education and research. We offer research- and impact-driven education that fosters critical and analytical thinking amongst our students. By collaborating with national and international partners, we provide students with opportunities to apply their scientific perspective in real societal contexts. Our research is curiosity- or demand-driven, groundbreaking and independent. Our scholars work closely with each other and external partners, leveraging insights from various disciplines to create new knowledge and innovative solutions. With this vision for education and research, we are building on our role as an "Engaged University". To achieve this, we will focus on the following priorities over the next five years:
Our research-driven education and academic research are strongly focussed on creating positive societal impact. We achieve this by actively involving our students in current issues through our academic programs. They collaborate with societal partners, critically reflect on their own assumptions and contribute to shared insights and sustainable solutions for these issues. Sustainability will be permanently integrated into all programs, for instance, by introducing a compulsory basic module in our curriculum. In the coming years digital technologies and AI will be incorporated to enhance future-oriented education. Our lecturers receive support through appropriate tools, training and guidance.
In our research we highly value on independence and encourage curiosity alongside our focus on creating impact. With our versatile academic expertise, and collaboration with experts form other knowledge institutions and technical disciplines, we work on sustainable solutions to societal problems. We actively promote mutual knowledge exchange, both within and outside the EUR, nationally and internationally.
We are dedicated to enhancing our accessible, innovative and inspiring educational offerings so that every student, regardless of their background, can develop academically, personally and professionally. We are committed to reach individuals who may not naturally find their way to university. We also create learning environments where diverse insights come together. Our education offers the flexibility for students to grow in their own unique ways. We foster connections by bringing people together in learning networks and encouraging collaboration, experimentation and reflection, both physical spaces and online. By investing in learning environments and accessible infrastructures, we aim to reduce barriers and strengthen the connection between university and society.
We are expanding our Lifelong Learning (LLL) offerings to meet the increasing demand for continuous learning, change, adaptation and personal development. Through our accessible and application-oriented education, we equip individuals and organisations for the challenges of tomorrow and beyond. We customise our offerings to meet the needs of practitioners and develop flexible learning pathways. One approach is collaborating within learning networks that includes businesses, policymakers and other communities. In the coming years digital applications will be integrated, and we will establish a digital platform to deliver our offerings in a cohesive manner.
Collaboration in networks and with society
By 2030, we aim to be the engaged and active knowledge partner of choice within society. Our goal is to strengthen our engagement with society by fostering reciprocal and equal relationships. Together, we identify societal issues and explore how we as EUR can contribute to addressing them. To achieve this, we will focus on the following priorities over the next five years:
Through open innovation networks, we connect people and societal issues, bringing together the needs of public, private and civil society partners with our expertise. This approach creates bridges between our core education and research and the broader society. We are committed to sustainable collaborations to fulfil our mission within the impact domains, utilising resources such as our alumni networks and Lifelong Learning programs.
To enhance our national and international resilience and competitive strength, we are reinforcing our strategic alliances with similar and complementary knowledge organisations within the region and across Europe. This includes initiatives like Convergence with TU Delft and Erasmus MC, LDE (Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus) and UNIC (European University of Post-Industrial Cities: a cooperative arrangement of European universities). We are dedicated to pursuing shared goals and combining our expertise to develop innovative solutions.
Enhancing revenue diversity is crucial for EUR to be better prepared for all challenges ahead. It will help us remain flexible and uphold our role as a reliable partner in society. Diversifying our income sources applies to both education (such as Lifelong Learning programs and private education) and research (including European or national funding and public-private partnerships).
Through our focus on the five impact domains, we are also developing a portfolio of relevant collaborations, which offers opportunities for additional and diverse income streams. By fostering entrepreneurship within our university, we can creatively and innovatively generate alternative income that aligns with our broad societal role.
One connected EUR
By 2030, we aim to be an agile and engaged organisation, where our EUR community feels valued and inspired. In a world where change is constant, it is essential for us to be agile, resilient and connected. To accomplish this, over the next five years, we will focus on:
We strive to create and sustain an inspiring and motivating work and learning environment where everyone feels recognised, valued and engaged. Our focus is on collaboration, inclusiveness and personal growth. We promote a culture of learning, where experimentation, feedback and adaptability drives continuous improvement. We prioritise a healthy work-lie balance and value open communication, diversity, recognition and development opportunities. Just as we aim to collaborate with society, we are committed to foster cooperation within EUR. This is why we are also dedicated to building an engaged internal culture.
Our leadership - grounded in our Erasmian leadership profile - is crucial to our decisiveness, employee well-being, talent development and organisational success. Continuous development of our leadership skills and strengthening cooperation are vital to achieving the strategic goals and our mission. We value and promote inclusive and dynamic teams where diverse talents and skills complement each other to enhance collaboration. By fostering effective leadership and teamwork, we break down barriers and strengthen knowledge sharing within our organisation, as one connected EUR.
We need to become more agile to respond swiftly and effectively to dynamic (geo)political and financial realities. This requires a clear organisational structure built on mutual trust, measures for improvement to optimise our operational management, and transparent decision-making. We strive to be a resilient organisation that fully leverages both public and private activities within EUR. By collaborating with partners and alumni and embracing innovative forms of entrepreneurship, we are building a future-proof organisation.