SURF Magazine

The way in which we share health data is set to change radically as a result of new European legislation. Institutions will soon be required to make data available. As Chief Science Information Officer at Erasmus MC, Robert Veen is involved in preparing regional and national research infrastructure to ensure that the Netherlands is ready for this.

Educational institutions are required by privacy law to carry out DPIAs. Working together with SURF offers many advantages in this regard. To SURF's surprise, Xedule, a timetable software supplier widely used in vocational education, approached SURF itself with a request to organise a DPIA. In doing so, the supplier initiated a broad collaboration and increased awareness of privacy and information security.

In the past, educational institutions were independent entities, and while they still are today, they are also part of an ecosystem. Digital sector facilities not only promote cooperation within institutions, but also between institutions and with the labour market.

Until recently, it was unthinkable: 36 SURF members from mbo, hbo, wo, TNO and SURF itself, purchase their new PC hardware jointly through the SURF cooperative. "We see very clearly that we are now paying less for a computer than when we bought independently," he says.

An excessive interest in digitisation, a heart for education, operations and a huge curiosity. That, in a nutshell, is the latest SURF administrator Pauline Satter.

On which digitisation topics can you successfully cooperate and on which, above all, can you not? From a cooperative perspective, we do as much as possible together. This is advantageous and efficient. But getting everyone on board at the right time is not so easy. The Digital Strategy of the hbo and the Digitalisation Route of the mbo bring clarity together.

In only 10 years, teacher-researcher teams (practorates) have become a nationwide phenomenon: the field is professionalising. But VET schools are not research organisations, which presents challenges in areas such as digital infrastructure, funding and the role of research within the organisation. To take the next step, the ball is now in the board's court.

The 2nd edition of the Tech Trends report has been released! Featuring 50 trends in 10 chapters, compiled by 42 professionals from the institutions and the SURF organisation. The report is a guide for everyone working in Dutch education and research.