Introduction to Nuffic Neso
Feb 23, 2010
Nuffic Neso
Nuffic Netherlands Education Support Offices (Nesos) are overseas representative centres of Nuffic that promote Dutch higher education in designated countries
and regions, positioning it in the international higher education marketplace in competition with other study destinations.
A Nuffic Neso serves a wide range of target groups and partners. The primary target groups are students and higher education institutions in the Neso countries, and the Dutch higher education institutions. Other target groups and partners include Dutch students, alumni, academics and other knowledge workers, Dutch and international education umbrella organizations, the Dutch government and other stakeholders.
Background
The Netherlands is committed to becoming a stronger competitive knowledge-based economy and to playing an important role in creating a European higher education area as set out in the Bologna Declaration and the Lisbon Strategy. To achieve these goals, it is important to make Dutch higher education accessible to talented students across the world and to encourage international cooperation and partnership between higher education institutions in the Netherlands and other countries. In addition, it is important to encourage and stimulate Dutch researchers, academics and students to go abroad to widen their horizon and enhance their international experience. In 2001, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science assigned Nuffic the task of establishing a network of Netherlands Education Support Offices (Nesos) in designated countries. Since then, Nuffic has opened Nesos in China, Taipei, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Russia, Mexico and Brazil. These offices are funded by the Dutch education ministry.
Main tasks of Nuffic Nesos
The main task of a Nuffic Neso is to promote Dutch higher education and foster international institutional cooperation in order to increase student and staff mobility and related activities. Through generic promotion of studying in Holland and tailor-made promotion (i.e. focusing on niches and top-talent) in the designated countries, Nuffic Nesos intend to raise the brand awareness and reputation of the Netherlands as a country of knowledge and study.
The Nuffic Nesos perform a wide range of tasks, including:
- information and promotion
- matchmaking and institutional cooperation
- market analysis and development
- management of programmes and projects.
Within Nuffic, the Department of Education Promotion is responsible for the following tasks:
• to support and coordinate the Nuffic Nesos abroad
• to develop and implement a consistent promotion policy for Dutch higher education abroad
• to cooperate with other Dutch organizations and partners such as the EVD (the Agency for International Business and Cooperation) and the Netherlands Institutes to harmonize the promotion of Dutch higher education
• to cooperate with other European partners to harmonize the promotion of European higher education
• to develop generic promotional materials for Dutch higher education
• to disseminate information about the Nuffic Nesos and their activities
• to coordinate and organize feedback groups for higher education institutions for the exchange ofexperiences and information-sharing
• to coordinate joint Dutch participation in education fairs worldwide
• to offer training courses on the promotion of Dutch higher education and intercultural communication
• to provide market information and share the results of student surveys
• to identify new markets for cooperation in the field of Dutch higher education.
Basic services offered by Nuffic Nesos
The services of each Neso may differ, depending on local circumstances, such as the capacity of the office. The following basic services are offered to the various target groups free of charge.
Services available to higher education institutions in the countries where Nuffic Nesos are located:
• information about the Dutch higher education system and higher education institutions in the Netherlands
• general assistance in finding Dutch partners for academic collaboration and exchanges
• general advice on student and staff exchanges with Dutch higher education institutions
• access to networks in the Netherlands
• organization of presentations and seminars on Dutch higher education
• general assistance in educational visits to the Netherlands
• contact with alumni
• general information on educational projects by national and multilateral organizations.
Services available to Dutch higher education institutions:
• general information about the higher education system and development in the education field in the Nuffic Neso countries
• placement of publications and promotional materials in the Nuffic Neso
• inclusion of information about the institutions and their programmes on the Nuffic Neso websites, the studyinholland.nl website and the database of international study programmes and courses (ISPAC)
• general information on educational projects from national and multilateral organizations
• management of scholarship programmes on behalf of Dutch higher education institutions and the Dutch business community, such as the Y.C.Lo Scholarship Programme and the Orange Tulip Scholarship Programme
• promotional and facilitating service in the setting up and maintenance of Dutch alumni networks. In order to make use of the wide range of basic and specific services of a Neso, Dutch higher education institutions are required to sign the Code of Conduct on ‘International students in Dutch higher education’ and comply with the set criteria and requirements. 1 Dutch higher education institutions can also request specific services in addition to the basic services. These specific services are available for a cost-covering fee. More information can be obtained from Nuffic and the Nuffic Nesos.
Services available to academics, researchers, and students from the Nuffic Neso countries:
• information about study and research opportunities in the Netherlands
• general information about scholarship options and visa procedures
• general assistance in the selection of and application for international study programmes offered by Dutch higher education institutions
• organization of events related to studying in Holland.
Services available to Dutch academics, researchers and students:
• information about the higher education system in the Nuffic Neso countries
• general advice on study and research opportunities and internship opportunities in the Nuffic Neso countries
• information on enrolment and visa procedures in the Nuffic Neso countries.