Toespraak van staatssecretaris Dijksma bij de opening van de gerenoveerde Van Hall Larenstein university of applied science in Velp

Toespraak | 01-10-2015

Ladies and gentlemen,

You're on the road, you’re hungry and you take a short break at a petrol station or snack bar to buy something to eat. As a vegetarian, your choice is generally limited to a cheese fritter or a cheese sandwich. Four food technology students at Van Hall Larenstein saw a gap in the market and created the vegetarian kebab – the vebab. With less fat and more protein than the original meat kebab. And their snack is a good deal more sustainable. It takes around 25 kilograms of animal feed to produce a kilo of meat kebab. Compared to zero kilograms for a vebab. So the innovative snack could appeal to non-vegetarians too.

The vebab is a terrific product, from a new generation of 'green' experts. Not green as in: wet behind the ears. But experts in sustainable solutions for agriculture, food, landscape management and water. And they get their training here, at Van Hall Larenstein. In this magnificent and sustainable new building, students acquire the knowledge and skills that make them valuable assets to our economy, to our society and to our international competitive position.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Netherlands has long ranked among the world’s leaders in the agri-food sector. These days, we no longer export just fruit and vegetables. Other countries have a growing appetite for our high-quality knowledge and technology, too. The Netherlands produces greenhouse systems, milking robots and chicken slaughtering equipment for the entire world. We share our knowledge on food production and logistics, and on plant and animal breeding to help companies to use resources and crops more efficiently.

The OECD recognises our agricultural knowledge system as 'high-performing'. Thanks to strong public-private partnerships, innovations produced by our universities and colleges are relevant to the sector and broadly applied. If we want to stay at the forefront of international competition and improve our labour productivity sustainably at home, knowledge has to be able to circulate freely between universities, colleges, industry and the public sector.

The axiom for the new generation is lifelong learning. Graduates used to leave school clutching a certificate, and never return to the classroom. Those days are gone. For educational institutions, this means adapting continually to the needs of a changing world. Which entails entering into partnerships with companies and other educational institutions, and participating in international collaboration and exchange.

With its master's programmes, postgraduate courses and advisory services, Van Hall Larenstein is already investing in a sustainable relationship with the world of work. Students also gain practical experience through in-company projects. For instance, VHL is working with the local water authority on sustainable management of rivers and dikes. It boosts students’ motivation if they can actually get their hands dirty. And it helps them develop valuable skills for the labour market. The project also benefits the water authority, which has an ageing workforce.

I want to work with industry and educational institutions to arrive at an efficient range of study programmes that cater for the needs of the regional labour market. The Netherlands can become even more competitive by concentrating specific knowledge in regions. Like the high-tech campus in Eindhoven, and Food Valley in Wageningen: powerful local cooperation with national and global exposure. VHL is working with local entrepreneurs to develop sustainable business practices that are compatible with the circular economy. And I hope you will find more opportunities for connecting the knowledge at VHL with the wider region.

My ministry is keen to work with you to promote green education that benefits the whole of society. You offer a wide range of study programmes that in one way or another all deal with the role of farming and the natural environment in society. Bee mortality, for instance, has been a pressing problem in the Netherlands for some years now. Bees are vital for the ecosystem and food production. That’s why I’ve appointed a special lecturer at VHL, who will link science with beekeeping and conservation practices in order to improve the health of bee populations.

It’s up to the new generation to also take up international challenges relating to the environment, food security and sustainability. As a leader in the field, the Netherlands has a certain responsibility. VHL has always been internationally oriented. You found out for yourself that the Dutch model of public-private partnership can also be applied successfully abroad. I saw this in India, where the Netherlands is setting up centres of excellence that disseminate knowledge to farmers. Dutch potato growers, for example, will go there to showcase their methods and technology.

For some years now, VHL has been running a joint educational programme with the Indian Agriculture Development Trust. In Mumbai I spoke, for example, with Dutch students from VHL who are researching the quality of school meals. They are looking at food safety, nutritional value and how the system is organised. As such, they are ambassadors for Dutch expertise in this field, paving the way for companies that hope to sell their knowledge and products in India.

Ladies and gentlemen,

VHL has great ambitions for connecting with the labour market, providing excellent education and engaging in international activities. You’re a fantastic example of a modern educational institution in the learning economy. The new generation of students will be able to come up with creative plans that have a positive impact on society. Every year, students with the best ideas are awarded a 'golden globe'. Judging by last year’s winners – including the inventors of the vebab – this generation has plenty to offer the world! Thank you.