The Municipality of Terschelling, FB Oranjewoud Foundation and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences are joining forces for a high-quality education and research facility on Terschelling. The new facility also allows Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz (MIWB) to expand.
On Monday 13 March, the three parties signed a letter of intent for the new campus. The signing of the agreement was the kick-off for further elaborating the ideas together.
The goal is to establish a broad knowledge campus where NHL Stenden and other knowledge institutions work together with the business community on innovative projects in the fields of circularity, Wadden gastronomy, sustainable tourism and climate adaptation.
Marc Otto, member Executive Board NHL Stenden: ‘These are issues that are typical of the vulnerable Dutch Wadden region, but can have a global impact.’
Iconic design on Baai Dellewal
The partnership aims to create an iconic design using materials from the island at the unique location on Baai (Bay) Dellewal . It intends to develop the locally known plots and buildings Hotel Victoria, “het Gebouw op Palen” (a stilt house), “de commandantswoning” (the commander’s residence) and “de woning kaars” (residence candle) into Campus Victoria.
The FB Oranjewoud Foundation will take ownership of the building, NHL Stenden is the project’s initiator and intended tenant. Together with the Municipality of Terschelling, parties have agreed to make the best possible efforts to ensure a successful development. A study of intent should be completed by the end of 2023.
Also read: MIWB lecturer and KNRM volunteer Henk Spanjer wins international award
MIWB gets chance to expand
The MIWB on Terschelling is part of NHL Stenden Leeuwarden. The institute has existed since 1875 and offers education and courses for a future in the maritime world. The current school building underwent a metamorphosis in 2019. In addition to the school building, there is a modern residential campus for students.
The arrival of the broad knowledge campus creates the opportunity for broadening maritime education and research with interesting crossovers. Think of new minors and collaborations with other knowledge institutions.
Also read: Ongoing research at universities of applied sciences – Working man blues
Challenges of the region
In preparation for the new campus, the upper floor of MIWB will be used as a temporary location to work with local parties on impactful research themes.
‘It is important at this stage to get started, meet and learn from each other,’ says Frank Gort, programme manager.
The first challenge already being tackled is plastic waste on beaches. Students from NHL Stenden’s Circular Plastics lectureship are investigating various cleaning and recycling options for the plastic found, together with the Terschelling foundation De Jutfabriek, which joined as its first partner.
In time, together with the Terschelling community and local businesses, research will also be conducted into housing seasonal workers on Terschelling. Campus Victoria can serve as a solution for this when students have holidays or are on work placements. This issue fits well with the housing, living, working and accessibility themes of the Wadden Regional Deal, of which the campus development is expected to be part.
Picture: View of Baai Dellewal on Terschelling (by Grotevriendelijkereus/Flickr).
Also read: Dutch maritime universities of applied sciences launch joint research platform
