The Flemish Council for Science and Innovation (VRWI) gives his view on the future structure of the Flemish higher education system, following the public debate about the possible integration of the academic university colleges in the universities. If Flanders' ambition really is to become one of the top five knowledge areas, a strong tertiary education system is crucial. The ongoing reform is an important opportunity for the international positioning of Flemish research and innovation by strengthening the knowledge triangle.
The integration of the academic programs of the university colleges in the universities is, according to the VRWI, a good solution. It offers significant value for our knowledge region because of:
- a transparent (binary) structure of higher education,
- the strengthening of the different training profiles,
- raising the quality of academic programs,
- an efficient organization of research,
- clear advantages for various stakeholders.
In order to take full return of the academisation and the integration process, the VRWI puts forward essential requirements:
- to monitor the quality of teaching and research,
- due consideration for the further development and profiling of professional bachelors,
- an early involvement and transitional arrangements for the staff,
- a relaxation of language regulation in the masters,
- to consider especially the financial implications.
Additional resources should be used for the following five points:
- a catch-up plan for the funding of higher education (2% of GDP),
- to strengthen channels of funding research (FWO, BOF, IOF, SBO, Hercules),
- to safeguard fundamental research, especially BOF,
- to increase resources for the academisation process,
- to improve thematic scientific research for the professional university colleges (PWO).