Danish municipality Vejle draws inspiration from NHL Stenden

Afbeelding
deense delegatie

On 9 and 10 April, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, together with the Municipality of Leeuwarden, welcomed a delegation from the Danish municipality of Vejle and representatives from Danish educational institutions. The visit focused on campus development and explored how NHL Stenden creates a meaningful, distinctive environment where students feel at home, can thrive, and are strongly connected to the region. 

A campus with character and connection 

Both Leeuwarden and Vejle offer an alternative to the traditional large student cities. At NHL Stenden, community and the uniqueness of place are key. We believe students thrive in an environment where they feel seen, heard and involved. That’s why students actively contribute to shaping both their learning and living environment, and play a vital role in strengthening the local community. 

This spirit comes to life through initiatives such as Campus Connect – a student-driven network that brings energy to campus life, promotes well-being, and fosters collaboration with local businesses, government, and residents. With BRÛZE campus café as its home base, it offers a monthly programme of events in arts, culture, sport, and community building.

Learning by doing in a green setting 

Through our Design Based Education (DBE) approach, students work on practical, real-world challenges in collaboration with businesses and societal partners. Sustainability and health are essential themes in this approach. On our Leeuwarden campus, the Vitality Trail encourages students and staff to stay active and healthy, while the Grienscape – a green meeting space and living lab – facilitates collaboration, reflection, and awareness around nature and the environment. These elements align with the ambitions of the broader Nordic Campus thought, which aims to connect education, research, and regional development to create a thriving, future-proof campus for all.

Connection beyond borders 

With students and staff from over 90 countries, NHL Stenden is an international university of applied sciences that values collaboration across borders. The visit from Vejle fits seamlessly with this vision: sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and exploring opportunities for international exchange and joint programmes. 

A joint effort with the Municipality of Leeuwarden 

The visit was co-organised with the Municipality of Leeuwarden, who also contributed to the programme content. It reflects the strong partnership between the city and the university of applied sciences - working together to shape a campus that makes a real impact, for students and for the region. 

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