In September 1984 the Open Universiteit Nederland welcomed its first students. It is an independent, non-governmental institute for distance learning, offering courses at university level.
The Dutch government set up this public open university in order to give anyone interested, with the appropriate talent, the possibility of receiving a higher education, without having to take formal qualifications into account. Its motto is: „Developing and expanding your own personal horizon through life-long learning.“
The profile of the Open University of Holland of 2006 describes the organisation, the mission as well as the methods of study.
Additional reasons for the creation of the „Open Universiteit Nederland“:
Creating a cost-effective form of higher education,
Enabling Dutch citizens to receive a higher education and, as a result, open the way for new, innovative teaching schedules and teaching methods,
Reducing the shortage of teachers in primary and secondary schools in Holland,
and also to offer the possibility of distance learning, in this connection the university is a recognised expert in e-learning (it offers training programmes and advice).
Studying at the „Open Universiteit Nederland“
A course at the Open University of Holland allows people who are already qualified to sharpen up their skills and to further their education. Many of those studying already have a certificate and are taking part in one or more courses in order to gain additional expert knowledge or to retrain for another career.
At present, there are approximately 18,500 students enrolled at the Open University of Holland and are taking part in courses at the university or in the officially recognised programmes at apprenticeship or master craftsman level. Approximately 70% of these students remain in paid employment during their course. More than 50% have registered as, in so doing, they are able to do what they want with their time and can learn at their own pace.
