Erasmus University achieves objectives set out in agreement with government

In 2012, the Dutch universities and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science signed a framework agreement that is intended to both improve and create a stronger profile for education, research and knowledge valorisation in the Netherlands. Over the past three years, Erasmus University Rotterdam has worked hard to realise a range of concrete ambitions in these areas.

At the end of the term of the framework agreement (year-end 2015), it could be concluded that Erasmus University Rotterdam has succeeded in realising the ambitions set out in 2012. A number of key results:

• Strong improvement of study success rates: the university saw the widespread introduction of activating education, 80% of the students presently earn their bachelor degree within a term of 4 years (5% more than the agreed target);
• Research: an extra EUR 40 million has been freed up within the EUR budget for top-level research groups;
• Internationalisation of the education programme: the share of international students in the EUR student body has increased to nearly 20%;
• Added value of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus alliance: the alliance has resulted in 9 active centres, numerous education initiatives and landed the partners a number of sizeable international grants;
• Knowledge transfer policy: establishment of the Erasmus Centre for Valorisation and consolidation of the valorisation objective in EUR’s HRM policy;
• Strengthening of EUR’s relationship with the city of Rotterdam: joint brand alliance ‘Make it happen’ and 6 active knowledge workshops.

Highlights
In addition to the above performance agreements, the most remarkable developments in 2015 were ‘The Good Conversation’ (agreements relating to the role and appreciation of participation in decision-making), the launch of an Economics MOOC, the opening of Polak Building and the appointment of Hanneke Takkenberg as ‘Chief Diversity Officer’. The renovation of the University Library also got underway in 2015. In addition, in September, Erasmus University offered over 200 refugees temporary accommodation in the sports complex of Erasmus Sport.

Last year, the number of students enrolled at the university rose from 24,820 to 26,212 (of whom more than 5,100 were international students). The number of doctorates awarded by the university also increased by 20 – to a total of 374. And finally, Erasmus University Rotterdam enjoys a healthy financial position.

Click on this link to review the full Annual Report.