2024 ended the same way it began for me. Quietly reflecting in the forests of Drenthe. While last January this was due to the start of my sabbatical, December’s holiday season in education offered a similar opportunity for contemplation.

The Supervisory Board of Avans University of Applied Sciences has appointed Prof. Dr. Charissa Freese as a member of the Executive Board.

In the newly released Keuzegids hbo 2025 higher education guide, Avans University of Applied Sciences once again ranks first among the large universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, marking its tenth consecutive year at the top. 23 Avans programmes have been awarded 'top programme' status.

Marjan Hammersma began chairing the Board of Governors of Avans University of Applied Sciences on 1 September. Since then she has been hard at work familiarising herself with every aspect of the organisation. How did she like her first month? And how does she view the challenges currently facing Avans?

The European Commission has decided to award a €14.3 million grant to PIONEER, the European partnership which Avans University of Applied Sciences has been part of since 2022. This funding enables PIONEER to join the ranks of more than 60 European universities. “We are taking international cooperation in higher education to the next level.”