Lifelong Learning Special
Facts & figures • 4,000 students are enrolled at MBO College Zuid • It offers 42 study programmes
in the services, creative,
sport and cultural fields • Programmes range from MBO levels 1 to 4 • The school has three locations (the largest on Europaboulevard) • It employs 450 people
MBO COLLEGE ZUID: COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN AND FOR ZUIDAS
Christiane Estourgie & Sonja Hoogendoorn
Almost ten years ago, the ROC van Amsterdam opened its doors in the north end
practical courses need to resume as soon
of Zuidas. These days the MBO College Zuid is no longer alone on the outskirts and
as possible. And it’s so important for pupils
it’s becoming increasingly interwoven with the district. Even so, links with local
to learn and discuss things together so
companies and employers aren’t strong enough yet, according to operational
they can grow socially as well.”
director Christiane Estourgie and board president Sonja Hoogendoorn, and MBO College Zuid is eager to make those connections at various levels.
Partnerships Still in development are plans to become a
Every ROCvA college (ROCs are regional
Higher education
community college, Christiane continues.
training centres) has its own focus areas.
The college has programmes at four
“MBO College Zuid is a school with creative
At MBO College Zuid, a senior secondary
levels. Level four graduates can continue
young talents. As well as hiring out our
vocational school, that focus lies on the
to higher professional education (Dutch
gymnasium and auditorium for local
cultural and creative industries. “We
HBO). Christiane: “Many go on to higher
activities, we’d also love to connect with
ended up here in 2012 because of the
education because they’re still very young
more businesses in Zuidas. For our pupils,
location, cooperation with the RAI and
and either don’t know yet what they want,
it’s wonderful to meet local business
the outpouring of vocal music, dance and
or are ambitious and keen to broaden their
owners and work on projects for them.”
theatre productions”, Christiane explains. “It
horizons. Also, we encourage continuous
MBO College Zuid is ready and excited to
was a good fit with the city of Amsterdam’s
education and retraining at the vocational
launch new partnerships, Sonja confirms.
cultural and events programming.”
level.” The pandemic has raised major
“To host an afternoon where pupils and
The college’s mission also ties in with
concerns about pupils falling behind at
personnel can visit places in Zuidas that
neighbouring VU Amsterdam’s ambition to
school. For College Zuid, it opened up an
have something to teach about enterprise
be sustainable, enterprising and diverse.
opportunity to digitize and offer ‘blended
and sustainability – that would be amazing.”
And students of the MBO College Zuid are
learning’, which wasn’t an option before.
invited to participate in an entrepreneurship
But Sonja stresses that, as the pandemic
process within the VU Campus.
drags on, motivation is ebbing. “All the
Text: Romy Lange & Céline Boute
MBO College Zuid - ROC van Amsterdam Europaboulevard 13 1079 PC Amsterdam www.rocva.nl
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