Joint masters in AI and data: ‘Need is growing’
Fontys may start developing the new master's degree programme Artificial Intelligence Translator. In addition, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has given the green light for the start of another master's: Data Driven Business. What is special about the masters is that Fontys will develop and offer them together with other universities of applied sciences.
The two new master's degree programmes are part of a cluster application for five cross-sector master's degrees. Several universities of applied sciences have collaborated intensively for this. A special feature of these study programmes is that they combine various fields of expertise and sectors and are developed and offered by different universities of applied sciences (joint degrees). Earlier, the masters programmes Human Capital Innovation, Sustainability Transitions and Transition to Health and Welfare were given the green light by OCW.
Such a cluster application is fairly new in the Netherlands. Maurice Limmen, chairman of the Vereniging Hogescholen, reacted elated after it was announced that all five cluster applications have been approved. ‘It means a big boost for the broadening of practice-oriented supply of hbo master's programmes. This is important: the labour market is crying out for practice-oriented professionals who are able to think and act across sectors.’
Joint degrees
For these five masters, six universities of applied sciences work together in so-called joint degrees, in which one study programme is developed and offered by several universities of applied sciences. They are Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, De Haagse Hogeschool, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and, of course, Fontys University of Applied Sciences.
For each master's programme, one university of applied sciences is the ‘coordinator’. This means that a student enrols for the relevant master's at one of the universities of applied sciences, but that the same study programme is offered at all cooperating universities of applied sciences, and can therefore be taken at different locations. However, the universities of applied sciences can give it their own accent that fits the region. For instance, Fontys will focus more on Industrial Engineering and Health Tech, sectors that are dominant in the Brainport region.
One of the masters for which Fontys is the lead institution is the recently approved AI Translator study programme. Together with Avans, Fontys will start developing it in February. ‘With this master's degree programme, the universities of applied sciences intend to soon deliver professionals who can help companies and governments to make AI practical. The AI Translator analyses for an organisation the opportunities, threats, vulnerabilities and threats to the allocation of AI,’ explains Michael Franssen, manager of development at ICT and project leader of the master.
Avans is the pen leader of the Data Driven Business master. This focuses on collecting, analysing and visualising data to help organisations make better decisions. According to Franssen, there is a remarkable demand for such professionals in AI and data. ‘That need will only increase. For that reason, both masters are also offered part-time, so that people from the work field can also intake.’
Sharing expertise
A major advantage of a joint degree is that as an educational institution, you do not have to develop a new study programme all by yourself, Franssen says. ‘You share your expertise, which may also lead to more unity in the offer.’
Whether the same master offered by several universities of applied sciences does not play into the hands of competition? Franssen does not think so. ‘The starting point is and remains the student. In the end, all universities of applied sciences are funded by the government to train students for the labour market. Purely because of distance, I don't think we are in each other's way. In practice, students often choose a school nearby.’
Approval
Before students can actually apply, the new masters must still be developed and/or approved by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO).
Two of the five study programmes - Responsible AI Innovation and Transition to Health and Wellbeing - are expected to start in September this year, for the other three masters - Sustainability Transitions, AI Translator and Data Driven Business - students can most likely enrol from academic year 2026-2027.
Author: Marieke Verbiesen
Source: bron.fontys.nl
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