EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Leeuwarden Knowledge Campus

Leeuwarden Knowledge Campus

Introduction

The development of the Leeuwarden Knowledge Campus, in which the municipality of Leeuwarden and three institutions of higher learning are collaborating, is intended to provide a boost to higher education and research in the region.

Problem

How can the new method of studying in higher education, the far-reaching internationalisation of study and the increasing demand for applied research best be utilised in Leeuwarden?

Description

The Knowledge Campus is a physical and conceptual collaboration among the three institutions of higher learning in Leeuwarden, the business community and the non-profit sector, which offers space for activities and facilities, oriented towards optimally supplementing and utilising every individual’s knowledge potential.

The Knowledge Campus focuses first and foremost on the improvement of the study climate and the economic climate of Leeuwarden and the region. The target groups are primarily the business community, non-profit organisations and the staff and subject teachers of the institutions. An important goal stemming from this is that the students of Leeuwarden will ultimately also benefit from the increased knowledge dynamic in Leeuwarden.

Approach

As soon as the master plan was agreed upon, the NHL announced the provisional design for the new building. There are also plans for space for knowledge-intensive companies, an information desk for starting entrepreneurs, student accommodation, small-scale shops, catering establishments, a sports hall and a site for public events. The children’s farm will remain, as will the green and park-like surroundings in the area.

Results

Within the framework of this Knowledge Campus, the institutions of higher learning want to put forth a number of concrete activities:

Inspiring enthusiasm about knowledge themes, consultation and mutual collaboration among institutions of higher learning and with the business community and non-profit organisations (product groups).
Effectuating optimal harmony between knowledge transmission and knowledge application in students, with the aid of high-quality training companies.
Stimulating of entrepreneurship in students, including the support of young people starting their own companies.
Constructing premises for education.

Resources used

The Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden (NHL) and the Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland (CHN) are jointly investing 75 million euros in the campus, whilst the municipality and province are each contributing 10 million euros. An application has been made to Kompas, a subsidy scheme for the northern Netherlands, for a contribution of 4 million euros. Other investors will be found in the coming years in order to develop the plan to its fullest extent.

Contact info

Municipality of Leeuwarden
http://www.leeuwarden.nl/live/contact.pag

Project start date

15/07/2005

Links

Municipality of Leeuwarden (in Dutch)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Research & innovation

Keywords

Universities & spin-offs