View source for Open University of the Netherlands

{{Expand Dutch|topic=struct}}
{{Short description|Distance education university in the Netherlands}}
{{primary sources|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox university |
image = ou-nl.jpg|
image_size     = 250px|
name = Open University of the Netherlands|
native_name = Open Universiteit Nederland|
city = [[Heerlen]]|
country = [[Netherlands]]|
established = 1984|
students = 15.295|
faculty = 658|
website = {{URL|http://www.ou.nl/}}|
type = University for distance learning|
}}

The '''Open University of the Netherlands''' ({{langx|nl|Open Universiteit Nederland}}) is a Dutch  institution for [[distance learning]] at [[Higher education|university level]]. It is an independent government-funded university and uses a variety of methods, including written materials, the [[Internet]], and occasional evening [[seminar]]s or day sessions.

== Overview ==
The Open University of the Netherlands was founded in 1984<ref name=consult>{{cite web |url=http://www.consultancy.nl/nieuws/12937/open-universiteit-benoemt-zes-bedrijven-tot-ict-inhuur-partner |title=Open Universiteit benoemt zes bedrijven tot ICT-inhuur partner |publisher=Consultancy.nl |date=19 September 2016 |language=Dutch }}</ref> and opened to students that September. The [[Academic administration|administration]] is based in [[Heerlen]], Netherlands. The university has study and support centres dispersed throughout the continental Netherlands, as well as study centres in [[Dutch language|Dutch]]-speaking [[Belgium]] ([[Flanders]]) and partnerships with institutions in [[Aruba]], [[Bonaire]], [[Curaçao]], [[Sint Maarten]] and [[Suriname]].

Since the Open University was founded, more than 250,000 students have enrolled in courses. {{As of|2016|09}}, approximately 15,000 students were enrolled at study or support centres in the Netherlands,<ref name=consult/> including some residents of other countries.

== Aims ==
The Dutch government's purpose in founding the Open University of the Netherlands was to make higher education accessible to anyone with the necessary aptitudes and interests, regardless of formal qualifications. The university aims to provide cost-effective education and to encourage innovation in Dutch higher education, in terms of both curriculum and teaching.

==Organisation==

=== Governance ===
The chairman of the Open University of the Netherlands since June 2016 is Arent van der Feltz, former vice president for corporate development, legal, regulatory and public affairs at [[Ziggo]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wijlimburg.nl/nieuws-overzicht/ziggo-directeur-arent-van-der-feltz-benoemd-tot-voorzitter-college-van-bestuur-open-universiteit/ |title=Ziggo-directeur Arent van der Feltz benoemd tot voorzitter College van Bestuur Open Universiteit |publisher=Wij Limburg |language=Dutch |date=25 April 2016 }}</ref> His predecessor was Sander van den Eijnden.<ref name=SG>{{cite web |author=Sander van den Eijnden |url=http://www.scienceguide.nl/201603/kerende-kansen-voor-de-open-universiteit.aspx |title=Kerende kansen voor de Open Universiteit |website=ScienceGuide |date=3 March 2016 |language=Dutch }}</ref>

=== Faculties ===
* Science: Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Information Science
* Humanities
* Management
* Educational Sciences
* Psychology
* Law

In addition to this, the university has four expertise centres: 
* CAROU: guidance in the deployment of technological and social innovations through research projects and education in areas such as Smart City, Cyber Security, Smart Industry, Climate Change and Continuous Learning
* Cyber Science Center: in cooperation with {{ill|Politieacademie|nl}} and {{ill|NHL Hogeschool|nl}}
* NEIMED (Nederlands expertise en innovatiecentrum maatschappelijke effecten demografische krimp): an alliance with Maastricht University and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

The Open University also has two support staff departments: the Department of Administration and the Department of Support Services. These provide services ranging from academic affairs to student administration.

===Courses of study===
The Open University offers courses of study at the bachelor's and master's degree levels in the following disciplines: cultural studies, education science, law, management, psychology, science and technology. The university collaborates with Flemish universities to enable Belgian students to attend classes. Five of its master's degree programmes were top-ranked in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.1limburg.nl/open-universiteit-scoort-weer-goed-keuzegids |title=Open Universiteit scoort weer goed in keuzegids |publisher=1 Limburg |date=28 February 2017 |language=Dutch }}</ref>

== Faculty ==
The following are present and former faculty members of the Open Universiteit:

* [[Harold Krikke]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harold Krikke |url=https://research.ou.nl/en/persons/harold-krikke-2 |access-date=2022-11-19 |website=Open Universiteit research portal |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.ou.nl/}}

{{Dutch universities}}

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[[Category:Distance education institutions based in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Universities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1984]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Education in Limburg (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:South Limburg (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Heerlen]]


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