6/15/2010
SURF, the Dutch higher education and research partnership for ICT-driven innovation, has presented its Strategic Plan 2011-2014.
In it, SURF describes the investments that the combined institutions for Dutch higher education and research will make over the next four years in order to ensure their place at the top of the ICT world rankings.
One notable new aim is to achieve seamless fixed-wireless integration across the country, giving students and staff in higher education and research network access via any mobile or other device, regardless of their location in the Netherlands. SURF has launched a feasibility study into this possibility. The plan is for the service to be operational by 2015, in collaboration with the telecom operators.
Example other countries
“It’s challenging to get all the higher education and research institutions to agree on what to invest in,” says Amandus Lundqvist, chairman of SURF’s Executive Board. “This is the seventh time in a row that we’ve managed it. Our partnership is a success, because our ICT facilities are at the top of the world rankings. Most Dutch people aren’t even aware that we set an example for other countries.”
Society-wide impact
SURF’s investments have turned out to have a society-wide impact. For example, the Amsterdam Internet Exchange – the largest Internet node in the world – is the result of the 1991-1994 Strategic Plan. SURF’s strategic plans are funded by its member organisations and by the Dutch government (in the form of grants and funding provided through the Economic Structure Enhancement Fund, FES).
International cooperation
Research depends on worldwide cooperation, and ICT facilities give rise to new forms of international collaboration. SURF is supporting the founding of an e-Science Research Centre, which will make new forms of national and international collaboration possible. The Netherlands plays a leading role internationally and intends to keep building on its prominent position. SURF sees it as its task to promote the Netherlands as a gateway to knowledge, to build a network of international contacts, and to guarantee the exchange of knowledge.
Seven targets
Based on trends noted by SURF and its member institutions, SURF has identified seven investment targets: the network, security and privacy, virtualisation and sustainability, innovation, making knowledge available and accessible, sharing expensive equipment, supercomputers, and making optimal use of ICT in education.
Security and privacy
Cyber attacks have become more frequent in recent years. Everyone who works for a Dutch higher education or research institution should be able to access Internet services and content securely after verification of his or her identity, with privacy considerations being taken into account. The various educational and research institutions will join forces in achieving this aim.
You can download the complete SURF Strategic Plan 2011-2014.
About SURF
SURF unites the Dutch research universities, universities of applied sciences, and research institutions in creating pioneering ICT-driven innovations. As partners in SURF, they are creating a sound basis from which to optimise their use of ICT and to excel in education and research. SURF consists of three organisations: SURFfoundation, SURFnet and SURFdiensten.
More information
SURF
Annette Peet
T +31 (0)30 234 6600
E peet(at)surf.nl
Whizpr
Tessa Weber
T +31 (0)0317 410 483
E surf(at)whizpr.nl