MBO Westland, located in the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, will be presenting its completely revamped Horti Technics & Management program on February 1. "We'll be proud to present our updated program during our Open Day. Our collaboration with network organization Katapult and support from the National Growth Fund have given the program an edge in terms of innovation," says lecturer Roel van Heijningen of Greenport West-Holland.
The Horti Technics & Management program was launched at the World Horti Center five years ago. "Our program has been unique from the beginning because we have worked together with other educational partners, government, and industry to make sure that the ever-changing demands of the international horticultural sector are met. Our focus has always been on research-based learning with the help of the fantastic research facilities we have in-house, such as the All Climate Greenhouse and Circular Greenhouse. We already had many ideas to make our education even more innovative and to better align it with the labor market. The contribution from the Growth Fund and the network from Katapult are acting as catalysts to quickly turn these plans into a reality," says Van Heijningen.
Objective of Katapult and contribution from the National Growth Fund
MBO Westland is part of the Greenport Horti Campus. The support provided to this network of campuses aims to strengthen the cooperation between companies and educational institutions in the field of learning and innovation. The main focus is on (green) digitization and energy neutrality aspects.
"Innovation happens quickly in the international horticultural sector. The Westland region is a world leader in the fields of trade, knowledge, and production in this sector. We have been working and innovating for years with companies like AVAG, Priva, Hoogendoorn, van der Knaap, and Ridder to allow our students to become familiar with leading companies in the sector and contribute to the latest developments and innovations," says Van Heijningen.
What's new in the program?
"Together with the business community, we will address problems and innovations in the international horticultural sector. There will also be a greater focus on topics such as data science or green digitization and stronger collaboration with, for example, HBO (Higher Vocational Education). There will be an even stronger focus on practical experience, so less time in the classroom and more hands-on practice. Each week has 3 practice-oriented days: 1 day at a company in the region (this can be horticultural production companies, supply companies, technology companies, or breeding/propagation companies), 1 day of internship, and 1 day in our own greenhouses at the World Horti Center. We will also collaborate with the business community on new 'Green Digitization' and 'Energy' programs within the WHC," says Van Heijningen.
Westland and International
According to Van Heijningen, MBO Westland students have a real doer's mentality. "That's why we find learning in practice so important. Our students go on internships every year, and every student builds up international experience, often with Westland companies that have international branches or partners."
Open day
On Thursday, February 1, it will be possible to learn more about the updated Horti Technics & Management program in person from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The location is MBO Westland, World Horti Center, Europa 1, Naaldwijk, the Netherlands.
Source: Greenport West-Holland