Around 120 secondary school deans gathered at Erasmus University Rotterdam for the annual South Holland Dean's Day. During the joint conference of colleges and universities from the region, the focus was on study choices, collaboration and current developments in higher education. With a keynote speech, student panel and various workshops, participants were given plenty of tools to better guide their students towards a suitable further education programme.
This year, the Dean's Day was organised jointly for the third time by ten universities of applied sciences and universities in the South Holland region. Whereas institutions used to hold their own meetings, they now consciously opt for a single regional day. 'It's great for the counsellors that they can get all the information they need in one day and spend the rest of their valuable time advising students at school,' says Rowan Huijgen, one of the organisers from Erasmus University Rotterdam. 'In addition, as higher education institutions, we enjoy organising it together because it allows us to learn from each other.'
Helping students choose the right study
According to Rowan, the common goal is clear: to help pupils make the right study choice the first time around. ‘Ultimately, we want every pupil to end up in the right place. That can only happen if we work together to provide the best possible study information. Ultimately, it is in the pupil's best interest to make the right choice the first time around.’
The Rotterdam edition opened with a keynote speech by Pieter Slaman from Leiden University, who spoke about the history of choosing, followed by a student panel in which students shared their own study choice journeys. This gave counsellors not only policy-related but also personal perspectives on the transition from secondary school to higher education.
Pupils must be able to go their own way
Dean Bartha Moerkerk of CSG Prins Maurits in Middelharnis has attended the conference several times before and was once again enthusiastic. 'Very well organised, both in terms of the programme and the catering. And I really enjoyed some very interesting presentations.' She was particularly impressed by the workshop organised by Erasmus University Rotterdam and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences on the differences between associate degrees, university of applied sciences and research universities. 'Of course, as a dean, I know all of this, but it was very interesting to hear some more specific details about what suits which students. It's something I deal with on a daily basis.'
What Bartha takes away from the day is in line with the message of the keynote speech: 'Every pupil should be able to follow their own path. We need to focus even more on what each pupil needs. What steps should they take? And how do you get them moving? Because that can sometimes be a challenge.'
Franka Klein, Dean of Adelbert College in Wassenaar, recognises this phenomenon. She tries to attend several dean meetings every year. 'I received an email and was immediately interested.' The opening made a big impression on her. 'I thought the first speaker was really great. It was very interesting to hear about the entire history of education, but I also found the conversation with the students very valuable.'
Providing feedback on study choices
Among other things, Franka attended a workshop on soft skills at The Hague Hotel School, which focused on giving and receiving feedback. 'We were shown a video about flight attendants at Schiphol Airport and how they deal with different types of people. That was a real eye-opener.' The workshop also made her think about her own role. 'When I give my students feedback on their study choices, what attitude do I adopt myself? It was more of a confirmation: I'm already on the right track, but it does make you extra aware.'
Franka also took part in an escape room organised by Leiden University of Applied Sciences, intended as a study choice activity for school pupils. 'I really enjoyed that. Pupils get to see all kinds of aspects of different studies and engage with their study preparations in a different way. It's a kind of playful preparation for an open day.'
Choose something that suits you
What both deans particularly appreciate is the networking aspect. Franka Klein: 'You hear from higher education institutions that there are many more possibilities than you think. They can also come to our school to provide information. And of course, you know that somewhere in the back of your mind, but now it's almost ready-made: look, you can do this and you can do that.'
According to organiser Rowan, that is precisely the strength of the day. 'Above all, choose something that suits you. We often see pressure from parents to pursue certain study programmes that may not match the pupil's interests at all. That's a shame. You end up doing something that doesn't make you happy.' Her advice to counsellors and pupils: 'Prepare well, read up on things, go to open days and find out what suits you best.'
The Dean's Day ended with a closing networking reception, but according to the participants, its impact will continue to be felt for a long time to come. Or, as Dean Franka sums it up: 'You know that you have an important job as a dean, but a day like this really makes you feel what you can mean to pupils.'
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