‘Thanks to the MHBO programme, students can enter the labour market sooner’
In this section, you’ll get to know one of our colleagues from the national Beethoven network a bit better. Who are they, what do they do, and what inspires them? This time, we’re shining the spotlight on Lieke Buiks, an educationalist and coordinator of the higher vocational education (mhbo) programme at Fontys ICT.
ICT students following the new MBO-to-HBO pathway run by Fontys, Summa and Yonder will therefore graduate with their HBO degree a year earlier. The initiative aims to improve the transition from MBO to HBO, prevent students from dropping out and guide them into the labour market more quickly. This is sorely needed, as there is high demand for ICT professionals, including in the semiconductor sector. Lieke Buiks, educationalist and coordinator of the MHBO programme at Fontys ICT, is therefore delighted that the programme is proving successful. ‘Three-quarters of the students eligible to take part have signed up.’
The MBO-HBO pathway is intended for students in the final year of their MBO course in ICT System Engineering or Software Development at Summa in Eindhoven or Yonder in Tilburg. ‘They spend the whole year working on assignments at HBO level,’ explains Lieke. ‘They do this partly online and as part of their own course. But for half a year, they also come to Fontys ICT two days a week, where they work on a project for a real client. This gives them an intensive introduction to higher professional education.’ If the students successfully complete their assignments, they earn an exemption from the first year of study at Fontys. ‘So it saves them a considerable amount of time: for a bachelor’s degree, they only need to study for three years instead of four, and for an associate degree, just one year.’
Lower drop-out rates
This time saving means that students can enter the labour market sooner, where there is high demand for ICT professionals with higher professional education qualifications. But there are other reasons for the MHBO pathway. ‘We noticed that higher professional education (HBO) students who had previously completed senior secondary vocational education (MBO) are not always motivated in the first semester, which sometimes leads to them dropping out. That semester covers basic knowledge which they have often already acquired at MBO level. We want them to be able to put that knowledge to full use straight away. The exemption year makes this possible.’ This has also been taken into account in the content of the MHBO pathway. Together with Summa and Yonder, Lieke reviewed the curricula of the three ICT educational institutions. ‘Where is there still a gap between vocational education (MBO) and higher professional education (HBO)? And what, therefore, is needed to bring students up to speed during an MHBO programme? It turned out not so much to be subject-specific knowledge, but rather HBO study skills, such as conducting research, collaborating on complex assignments, and learning to analyse and advise. These are therefore key components of our MHBO programme.’
The MBO diploma is the priority
The three ICT educational institutions had been working together for some time, but their collaboration on the MHBO programme was slightly more intensive. This also presented a number of challenges. ‘Mainly in terms of the practical and legal aspects: where do the tuition fees go? What about insurance, and how do you give students from other institutions access to our learning systems? It’s quite complicated,’ says Lieke. ‘We’ve also been very careful not to overburden MBO students. Obtaining their MBO diploma is the top priority. If the MHBO programme proves too demanding, they can drop out at any time. They’re under no obligation.’ Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why the programme is so popular. ‘As well as the high number of applications, I also heard at open days that it makes ICT studies more appealing. Being able to earn a higher professional education (HBO) diploma in a shorter time certainly appeals to young people who are already interested in ICT.’
First cohort has started
This academic year, the first cohort of students has started the MHBO programme. Lieke therefore wants to see how it goes in practice and assess what works and what doesn’t before making any plans for the future. Still, she does have a secret wish. ‘I’d love to collaborate with even more MBO colleges. I’m currently holding initial discussions with them. And perhaps the MHBO programme might also inspire other courses. That would be great.’