ACADEMIC COMMITTEE GOALS

Foster academic debate and intellectual engagement across UC communities

University Colleges (UCs) usually host a limited number of students. However, UCSRN represents and unites a community of >4,000 students across the Netherlands. Thanks to the diverse backgrounds and the muldisciplinary educational paths of its members, UCSRN is in the best position to promote intellectual exchange. Through events organized by the Academic Committee (AcCo), such as the Symposium, and by the single UCs, academic debate can expand and thrive.

Collect and publicly share best practices and opportunities across UCs to work on shared solutions for common struggles

UCs often face similar challenges. The exchange of best practices can contribute to easing finding common solutions. By the end of the academic year, AcCo aims to present a collection of guidelines about how to tackle some of the major struggles faced by most UCs. Ultimately, UCSRN is the platform through which UCs can communicate with each other and share available opportunities for the extended student communities. Specifically, AcCo enables the committees in each UC to promote their initiatives on a regional or national level and open up their events to a broader audience.

Improve connections among different UCs’ current students and alumni

Networking is one of the priorities of AcCo’s mission. In-person events can bring together students from different UCs and allow them to build long-lasting connections and friendships. Additionally, much can be learned from the paths of our UCs’ alumni. Cooperation between the career committees and alumni networks in each UC and digital platforms such as Linkedin can expand current studetns’ academic and professional horizons.

Improve resources and information for incoming students

Through the UC Database, a document that contains crucial information about each UC, we hope to support incoming students by providing access to a complete and detailed overview of the peculiarities of the UCs of the Netherlands.

Provide resources and support to outgoing students, especially about post-undergraduate life

Post-degree life can be uncertain and difficult to plan. It is crucial for current students to have access to complete and engaging information about their educational and professional prospects after graduation. For example, the focus of the 2024-25 edition of the symposum on non-governmental organizaitons highlights the importance of creating opportunities for students to get involved in volunteering activities and learn more about internship opportunities.