Last week, the VU team welcomed colleagues from Lebanon and Slovenia as part of the EU-funded STRIPES project. This initiative builds on previous efforts, including the 'Brighter Futures' project (2020-2023), during which VU Amsterdam collaborated with CIS College, Lebanon's largest Technical and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) institution, and INMAA, an educational non-governmental organization (NGO). IRADA and Berytech are involved in the partnership as representatives of the Lebanese private sector. The collaboration seeks to ensure that vocational education aligns with industry needs, thereby improving employment opportunities for graduates.
The past week was filled with diverse activities and study visits, offering a glimpse into the Dutch educational system. Colleagues from the Department of Management and Organisation of the School of Business and Economics shared their experiences in connecting students with companies to facilitate work-based learning through internships. Additionally, we visited the VU StartHub, where we attended inspirational presentations by VU graduates and coaches and viewed a demonstration of the facilities provided by the Education Lab, Centre for Teaching and Learning.
We also received an insightful presentation from representatives of the Foundation for cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB), which serves as an intermediary between Dutch vocational education institutions and companies to provide T-VET students with the best practical training. Finally, we visited ROC Amsterdam South, the largest T-VET provider in the Netherlands, gaining a comprehensive understanding of their programs and facilities.
The STRIPES project is coordinated by the Centre for International Cooperation (CIS-VU), which has over 50 years of experience in sustainable development and mutual learning across cultures globally, together with VU faculties and international partners . For more information about the STRIPES project and our other activities, please visit our website.