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DSS/ Amsterdam
foreword
DSS/ Amsterdam
‘The Digital Society School could educate the new knowledge worker that combines both creative and technical skills. This era shows a need for the type who is both curious and good at working in teams.’
foreword
Foreword Information and Communication Technology has become an integral part of our work and lives. Fed by technology, a digital society has evolved. Living, working and running a business in this digital society calls for qualified people. Talented people who can manage digitisation, create new services and jobs, and guarantee safety, security and inclusiveness. That kind of talent is in short supply. Amsterdam’s Human Capital Agenda has thousands of vacancies. By no means all in the ICT sector; the healthcare sector, manufacturing industry, financial world, creative sectors and the local government itself are all also in need of digi-savvy staff. In addition to which, the Amsterdam region has growth ambitions, a strong appeal for foreign companies, with correspondingly great demand for digital talent.
Franklin Heijnen (Creative Director, Deloitte Digital)
This is not purely a matter of figures. ICT education is no longer a standalone discipline. Knowledge of user experience design, information rights, ethics, services design and digital entrepreneurship are just as important as programming, cloud systems and big data analysis. Together with its knowledge partners, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) has taken the initiative to train a new generation of professionals, focusing on both Dutch and international talent. This initiative is the Digital Society School (DSS). The DSS, in conjunction with (international and regional) knowledge and business partners, set up a 21st century educational concept based on modular project education (Tracks) enabling students to collaborate with lecturers, researchers and experts from the industry. The series of Tracks will lead to accredited diplomas or constitute of refresher courses for professionals. The DSS, therefore, is a talent pool providing future-oriented solutions in an urban environment. The collaboration with international partners will create a world class education and research institute that will have direct impact on the city’s metropolitan region.
Amsterdam, April 2017
Prof. H.M. (Huib) de Jong Rector and acting president Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Dr G.R. (Geleyn) Meijer Dean of the Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries
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