Hello Zuidas Mei/Juni editie #55

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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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