Research into a joint university of applied sciences campus completed
After an initial exploration and a careful follow-up study, it has become clear that moving Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (HVHL) to the NHL Stenden campus at Rengerslaan will not bring the expected benefits. The joint studies, carried out since November 2024, have now been completed. Conclusion: the disadvantages and risks outweigh the intended advantages. HVHL will therefore continue to be based at its current site on the Agora.
Background
Higher education faces major challenges. Both NHL Stenden and HVHL will see student numbers decline in the coming years due to demographic developments. On top of that, the Dutch government is cutting back on higher education, while investments are needed to make buildings more sustainable and to modernise practical facilities. Both universities of applied sciences jointly provide the Life Sciences & Technology degree at Agora 1. These challenges prompted a broader exploration of how to use space at the Rengerslaan campus more efficiently and possibly accommodate HVHL there, while safeguarding its own identity.
Two-phase study
The first phase (Nov 2024 - Feb 2025) looked into whether HVHL could fully relocate to a dedicated building on the NHL Stenden campus at Rengerslaan. This showed that no building was available that fully met the requirements. At the same time, both institutions saw enough reason to start a more detailed second phase.
That second study assessed the financial impact of relocation combined with new construction. It showed that new buildings would bring high costs. There is also uncertainty about timely connection to the electricity grid. In addition, the considerable distance between the building with laboratory facilities and the campus creates scheduling challenges for teaching and research. Spreading HVHL across multiple buildings on campus would also undermine the distinct character and identity of the small-scale, green university of applied sciences. Finally, the Water Application Centre (WAC), essential for education and research, cannot simply be moved.
Conclusion
For HVHL, relocating to Rengerslaan brings too few benefits and too many risks. The university of applied sciences has therefore chosen to focus on making its current building future-proof. At the same time, both institutions look back on a process carried out in close cooperation and with great commitment, driven by the shared ambition to find sustainable solutions.
Jan van Iersel, Chair of the Executive Board of HVHL: “We carefully and intensively explored whether a move could be a future-proof solution. The outcome is that making our current location more sustainable is feasible, whereas relocating is not. I am glad we investigated this thoroughly. A process like this is complex and technical, with a lot of data and analyses. But in the end, it is about people who make up a university of applied sciences. How can we, as a green/blue university of applied sciences, continue to provide education and conduct research in a changing world and financial reality? That has always been our main drive, and it remains so, even now that we are not relocating.”
Marc Otto, Chair of the Executive Board of NHL Stenden, adds: “It was valuable to go through this search together. We truly looked for solutions. I regret that relocation is not feasible for HVHL at this time, but it does not diminish our drive to ensure the future strength of higher professional education in Friesland. We have got to know each other better and strengthened our cooperation. WWe continue to develop and collaborate, for example with a new joint maritime minor. That is progress we will take forward.”
