Leuven University College’s strategic priorities

In order to provide some guidance for the policy plans of our university college, and of our departments and study programmes, the Board of Governors has determined a number of strategic priorities for Leuven University College. Recently, the strategic priorities were matched against the policy plans, and were closely monitored when implementing cost-saving measures. The Board of Governors made a clear choice of investing in Leuven University College's future, even with reduced financial means.
First and foremost, Leuven University College wants to maintain its strong position with its own resources, and even strengthen this position by making use of the specific opportunities presented to Leuven University College.

The strategic choices are listed below, with a short description and a few actual examples.

1. Strengthening its market position
   In order to safeguard our future, it is essential to work on increasing Leuven University College's share in the overall financing scheme of professional higher education. Leuven University College intends to broaden its selection of study programmes by developing alternatives of its initial programmes and by offering new advanced bachelor programmes. We will start up a cooperation with the Centres of Adult Education (Centra Voor Volwassenenonderwijs) for developing vocational higher education programmes.
    
2. Increasing study efficiency
   The Flemish authorities are increasingly linking their financing, now more than ever, to the number of students passing exams and graduating. That's the reason why it is important to increase the study efficiency of our programmes, however, without jeopardising the well-known quality of Leuven University College’s programmes. Apart from the major efforts made for study and student counselling, we will pay equal attention to itinerary coaching and study advice (drawing up year programmes). Moreover, pass rates for each curriculum are analysed and it is essential to have an adequate test policy and test plan.
    
3. Increasing international mobility of students and staff
   In order to improve the success rate of student and staff in an ever increasing global world, Leuven University College wants to increase the number of international experiences of students and staff alike. Students will be encouraged to participate in international programmes or alternatives such as Internationalisation@Home, while staff members will be stimulated to share knowledge or acquire knowledge abroad.
    
4. Integrating research and community service in the organisation
   Research which nurtures education and community service, will be more firmly embedded in the organisation. Leuven University College will expand its practice-based research and community service to be validated at education and professional level. Leuven University College wants to be known as such and wishes to create stronger ties with all its external partners. In addition, Leuven University College's HR policy will focus on specific competences related to research and community service.
    
5. Creating a developmental-oriented HR policy
   Leuven University College intends to coach, support and encourage its staff to use, share and develop their competences in the most optimal way. Obviously, this implies an accessible and adequate selection of professionalisation opportunities and a well-organised performance coaching structure. The criteria related to the quality of appointments must support the strategic priorities.
    
6. Strengthening ties with alumni
   In order to make maximal use of the opportunities of the alumni network in many areas (recruitment, practice-based edcuation, building networks ...), Leuven University College will continue to develop its alumni-oriented policy. This is, among others, evidenced by the establishment of an interdepartmental alumni committee and by the organisation of an alumni event in the 2010-2011 academic year.
    
7. Strengthening the cooperation within Leuven University College
   Strong in unison. Especially in view of higher expectations on the one hand and more limited means on the other hand, it is crucial to facilitate cooperation within the organisation, exchange best practices and share knowhow. The various interdepartmental committees are living proof of this cooperation. The gradual introduction of a collegewide document management system and the creation of a new web portal are two initiatives which can improve the cooperation even more. In order to follow up the strategic priorities, a monitoring system has been created. Thanks to this instrument, departments and programmes can monitor the overall implementation of our strategic goals and one’s own contribution by means of critical performance indicators.
    
8. Integrating sustainable development and diversity in the policy
   Leuven University College being a socially responsible player, is committed to shaping its own organisation based on sustainability principles. It is made possible by integrating sustainable development into the curricula and all aspects of management (logistics, infrastructure, communication …). Moreover, Leuven University College wants to increase diversity among students and staff. We are explicitly committed to supporting development cooperation. The newly introduced advanced bachelor programme of International North-South Cooperation clearly demonstrates our commitment.