Yes to co-operation,no to merger

| Redactie

The Free University of Amsterdam is merging with the 'hogeschool' Windesheim from Zwolle, the University of Amsterdam with the Hogeschool Amsterdam. At this moment the UT will not respond to approaches from the Saxion Hogescholen in Enschede and Deventer, but it will go ahead with plans for a more intensive collaboration. 'The merger of Windesheim and the Free University does not strengthen our po

The Free University of Amsterdam is merging with the 'hogeschool' Windesheim from Zwolle, the University of Amsterdam with the Hogeschool Amsterdam. At this moment the UT will not respond to approaches from the Saxion Hogescholen in Enschede and Deventer, but it will go ahead with plans for a more intensive collaboration.

'The merger of Windesheim and the Free University does not strengthen our position', according to Albertjan Peters, chairman of the board of the Saxion Hogescholen. 'We have schools in Enschede and Deventer, and we see that closeby Zwolle becomes really big. This increases the importance for us to merge with the UT.'

The UT does not consider it very important. Rector van Vught: 'Merging is only useful when there are clear advantages to education and research. Other advantages can also be realised through co-operation.' He adds that for example for students to be able to switch from university to hogeschool one does not need to merge.

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