Thursday, November 30, 2023
This week, the Province of South Holland, Economic Board South Holland, Innovation Quarter, the LDE universities, Medical Delta, and the internal ZHIA (South Holland Impact Alliance) community gathered at The Hague University of Applied Sciences to kick off ZHIA.
ZHIA is a new collaboration among South Holland Universities of Applied Sciences in the field of education and research. The universities will join forces on the themes of Health, Care and Welfare, Sustainability, and AI. The practice-oriented research aims to contribute to solutions that are directly applicable and have an impact within the region and beyond.
Dr. Elisabeth Minnemann, Board Member of The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Chair of ZHIA, and member of the Supervisory Board of Medical Delta, opened the event with a metaphor: "First, we were engaged, but from today, we are married."
The four South Holland educational and knowledge institutions feel responsible for devising innovative practical solutions to major societal challenges facing Dutch society. As a new alliance, they now collectively take up the challenge to contribute to various themes. They do this in collaboration with the Province of South Holland, South Holland municipalities, the business community, and societal partners.
"Thanks to good mutual relations and our location within the densely populated metropolitan region, we can play a key role in addressing major challenges. Through research by lecturers, students, and our graduates, we contribute to economic and social developments in the region," said Minnemann.
Provincial Growth Agenda
Over the past two years, the Province of South Holland, South Holland municipalities, the business community, societal partners, and educational and knowledge institutions have developed a joint vision for the economic and social development of the region. In this South Holland Growth Agenda, societal issues take the lead. This agenda guides ZHIA's efforts within the total knowledge ecosystem.
Vital Delta
ZHIA started its collaboration some time ago and has since grown into a strong association of four universities of applied sciences representing a combined 110,000 students, 175 lecturers, 780 teacher-researchers, 126 PhDs, and 620 research projects.
Dr. Sanne de Vries, Medical Delta Professor, Professor of Healthy Lifestyle in a Stimulating Environment, and Director of the Center for Health Innovation, along with quality nurse Corine van Ruijven-van de Worp from Pieter van Foreest, presented from Vital Delta. Vital Delta is a successful example of transdisciplinary collaboration between the four ZHIA universities. Financed by the National Agency for Practical Research SIA and as a scientific program of Medical Delta, this consortium is committed to the vitality and health (physical, mental, and social) of young and old in the region, involving numerous partners. In the coming years, the collaboration on this theme will be strengthened and sustained by aligning even more closely with regional and national agendas.
More information can be found on the ZHIA website.
Also, read the comprehensive news article from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.
