Leiden University to discover

Henk Frencken, educational advisor ICLON, Leiden University, Michiel van Geloven, advisor, CHECK-IT.CEAIE- NUFFIC Sino-DutchHigher Education Forum,

Rotterdam, 25th of June 2012.

CHECK-ITa Sino-Dutch

Living Lab in China

Leiden University to discover

Is your only Chinese Ni Hao? Or don’t you dare to speak English?

• Not so for a group of Dutch and Chinese Information Technology students. In China they do their internship assignments in joint groups.

• For that purpose, they and their teachers run the CHECK-IT Knowledge Center, located in the Software park of Xiamen in Southern China.

• Universities of Applied Science: Leiden, Zuijd, HAN, & the Hague, and Leiden University cooperate with Xiamen University Software School.

Leiden University to discover

First impressions of CHECK-IT

• For a first impression we go to the website of CHECK-IT: www.checkitcenter.com

• The program runs this website to attract assignments from companies in China and the Netherlands.

• The website also facilitates Knowledge Creation around intercultural IT development and research.

• CHECK-IT has a short promotion film on Vimeo

Leiden University to discover

Main principles of CHECK-IT Competency Based Education

• Learning takes place in a professional context – students work on industry assignments– Check-it is run as a company

• Learning takes place in an international context– students work in international teams– many assignments of international companies

• Learning takes place in an intercultural context– students live and work together– intercultural exchange and learning is explicit in

our program.

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A short history……

• In November 2007 a study trip to China was organized by ICLON, graduate school of teaching, Leiden University.

• A conference took place in Xiamen on Entrepreneurial Higher Education in China and the Netherlands, organized jointly with the Xiamen University Institute of Education.

• There the idea for CHECK-IT was born.• In 2008 partners and formulated a project proposal. In

2009 a grant was received from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Also contributed.

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Current situation……

• From September 2009 until now Dutch and Chinese students cooperate in IT development projects.

• Since February 2012 the sixth batch of students works at CHECK-IT.

• Supervision by Chinese and Dutch staff.• Total number of Dutch students has grown to about

fourty per year

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CHECK-IT as a knowledge production center

• Run by students, monitored by Chinese and Dutch staff.

• Students work on their own projects but also for the Check-IT Center: ‘give and take’:• Check IT website and office.• Daily running of the Center.• Organizing knowledge exchange seminars.• Organizing ‘China & Holland culture’ activities.• Introducing new students and staff.• Marketing and communication of the Center and

acquisition of new internship projects.• Learning Chinese language and culture.

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Benefits for the students…

• Dutch students: exposure to China, Chinese students and Chinese culture.

• Chinese students: ‘internationalization at home’.• Language learning: English and Chinese.

• ‘Embedded internship’ in China.• Support in finding challenging industry assignments.

• Learning to work in an international environment.• Developing international and cross-cultural

competencies.

• Work with Chinese and international companies.

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Benefits for educational partners…

• Student mobility: embedded internships for students.

• Development of international and cross-cultural competencies.

• Staff mobility an staff professional development.• Close contacts between Chinese and Dutch

institutes and companies.• Exchange of educational experiences:

• Competency based education• Relation between education and industry• Internship models• Study program specific overseas experiences.

• CHECK-IT as an object for educational research and experimentation.

Leiden University to discover

• Utilization of up-to-date knowledge and skills of students.

• Mutual contacts through student exchange, building of trust.

• Exploring and understanding markets, demand and supply opportunities, outsourcing, etc.

• Contacts with students as potential employees.• Use of and contribution to knowledge in the

CHECK-IT Center.

Benefits forindustry partners…

Leiden University to discover

• Establish a clear educational and institutional embedding.

• Ensure support from the top of your institutions.• Keep it simple, lean & mean.• Reach a financial break even within two years.• Screen students and staff on motivation, stamina

and cultural sensitivity.• Prepare students and staff intensively before

departure/participation.• Establish a clear and explicit ‘company culture’

within the center.• Help to spread the Check-it idea.• Ensure ownership from all stakeholders.

Recommendations for your own living labs….