Training programme Participation at VU

Training programme Participation at VU

• Module 1 - Entering Participation: Entering the role and understanding the system (May-June)

  Session 1 – Entering Participation Kick‑off & Orientation	Introduction to participation at VU, meeting fellow representatives, and programme overview.	3 June 2026, 16:00 – 17:30 (with drinks afterwards)
  Session 2 – VU Governance, Roles & Rights VU Governance Structures & Participation Rights	Understanding governance structures, decision‑making processes, and formal participation rights.	15 June 2026, 10.00-12.00 or 17 June 2026, 10.00 -12.00
  Session 3 – Communication & Influence Strategic Communication for Impact	Communicating effectively across different audiences and power dynamics.	15 June 2026, 13.00-15.00 or 17 June 2026, 13.00-15.00

• Module 2 – Participation in Practice: Developing skills to collaborate, negotiate, and shape meaningful change (Sep-Dec)

  Session 4 – Group Dynamics & Collaboration Shaping Group Culture & Working with Diversity	Building a healthy council culture and working with diversity of perspectives.	14 Sep 2026, 10.00-12.00 or 16 Sep 2026, 10.00 -12.00
  Session 5 – Educational Quality & Innovation Open Conversations on Educational Quality	Sharing ideas, initiatives, and learning from peers and educational specialists.	14 Sep 2026, 13.00-15.00 or 16 Sep 2026, 13.00-15.00
  Session 6 – From Policy Plan to Action Plan Turning Policy Plans into Concrete Outcomes	Turning innovative ideas for change and councils’ plans into concrete actionable steps and prioritised initiatives.	5 Oct 2026, 10.00-12.00 or 7 Oct 2026, 10.00 -12.00
  Session 7 - Negotiation & Constructive Dialogue Navigating Tensions, Interests & Shared Solutions	Developing skills to engage with conflicting interests, conduct constructive dialogue, and negotiate effectively within participatory and institutional contexts.	5 Oct 2026, 13.00-15.00 or 7 Oct 2026, 13.00-15.00
  Session 8 – Formative assessment for learning Giving and Receiving Feedback for Team Growth and Reorganization	Using the Focus Group Method and complementary feedback techniques to purposefully gather, analyse, and use feedback as a basis for learning, alignment, and constructive re‑organisation within teams.	30 Nov 2026, 13.00-15.00 or 2 Dec 2026, 13.00-15.00

• Module 3 – Review and Redirect Participation: Learning from experience to refine direction and strengthen ongoing impact (Jan-Mar)

  Session 9 – Reflection & Personal Motivation Mid‑Journey Checkpoint: Reviewing Progress & Recharging Motivation	Reflecting on progress, reconnecting with purpose, and recalibrating priorities.	25 jan 2027, 13.00-15.00 or 27 jan 2027, 13.00-15.00
  Session 10 – Closing the Loop & Looking Ahead From Mandate to Meaning: Continuity & Future Professional Pathways	Making sense of the full participation journey by looking back and looking forward.	22 feb 2027, 13.00-15.00 or 24 feb 2027, 13.00-15.00

• Track B – Programme Committees (PC or OLC): Entry point for PC or OLC members

  Core Training 1 – Roles, Rights & Educational Governance (October / November)

  Understanding formal responsibilities, participation rights, and the TER/OER within VU
  This session introduces OLC members to their formal role, rights, and responsibilities within VU’s educational governance, with a particular focus on understanding and working with the TER/OER.

  Core Training 2 - Annual Report as Education Quality Assurance Instrument (June)

  Reflecting on quality, sharing practices, and strengthening future participation
  This session supports OLC members in using the annual report as a meaningful instrument within the quality assurance cycle, by sharing best practices and providing practical guidance for writing a clear and impactful report.