Our strategy

At NHL Stenden, we educate the professionals of the future. We support lifelong development, and, through practice-oriented research, contribute to knowledge and innovation development. This helps us to strengthen the shared prosperity and sustainable development of the Northern Netherlands and the other regions, national and international, in which we are active.

Shared prosperity encompasses everything people consider of value, such as health, education, environment, social cohesion, personal development and safety. It concerns not only the quality of life in the here and now, but also the effects of our way of life on future generations and people elsewhere. Across the board, climate change, technology and demographic developments are all issues.

We need to be flexible and agile so that our students and lecturer-researchers can contribute to solutions for issues in society and strengthen shared prosperity in order to create a dynamic northern region. In this respect, our strategic plan acts as our compass.

Our future

NHL Stenden is facing a future of adaptation, innovation and inclusion. We prepare students to change the world with a smile on their face Our promise to our students is: “You can face the future.” Everything we do revolves around this promise.

Our strategic profile

Unique educational concept: Design-Based Education (DBE)
We have been working with our educational concept for six years now and continue to develop quality. Our focus lies on digital innovation and flexibility for life-long learning
Practice-oriented research with impact: the societal challenges, the knowledge agenda for our region and our own expertise form the foundation for our programme “Working together on shared prosperity”. The four lines of the programme are:
- Attracting, developing and retaining sufficient professionals for the region
- Strengthening regional innovative strength and digitalisation
- Working together towards a resilient, healthy and inclusive society
- Building on circularity and sustainability

International profile: we provide an environment in which students are confronted with themselves, others and the world. They learn to understand and respect different perspectives as well as be curious towards others.
Design-based way of working: our way of working is a translation of the facets of DBE into our organisation. It benefits our policy of leading, cooperating, learning & development, in fitting with our DBE concept and supporting our ambitions.

This strategic focus makes NHL Stenden strong and unique, especially in combination with our values of connecting, being involved, being inventive and being groundbreaking. After all, we not only want to do the right thing, but we also want to do things the right way.

Our guiding principles

Quality as a guiding principle
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Well-being of students and staff
Service close to the student
Sustainable development

With these principles and a flexible, agile approach, we can fulfil our role in society and respond to developments. Our strategic course provides both direction and room for implementation. By using various perspectives and monitoring implementation, we ensure that we stay on the right course towards the north of our compass.