Aeres University of Applied Sciences

Aeres was founded in January 2004 from the merger of CAH Dronten University of Applied Sciences (CAH) and Groenhorst College, an institute offering vocational agricultural education. In January 2006, the then called Aires was expanded with Stoas University of Applied Sciences and Teacher Education and in 2009 with PTC. The components themselves are much older or brand new.

In 2015 Aires had approximately 1.100 employees, 10.000 students (not counting the thousands of short-term trainees). The turn-over is close to € 100 million. Aeres works in 14 towns/villages in the middle of the Netherlands and offers education or services and two flex locations. Aeres has more than ten lectors who are, among others, responsible for our research and innovation projects.

Aeres focuses on seven fields of expertise. For each of these fields, we offer various activities, from education and research programs to development projects with NGOs, innovation projects with companies, commercial courses, and services such as consultancy. Our teachers participate in research and bring the results into their courses. In this way, we make sure the courses are up-to-date and relevant and will eventually contribute to competent professionals' development.

• Agrifood and Entrepreneurship
• Animal and Animal Health (both cattle, horse, and pets)
• Healthy and vital living environment
• Learn and Develop (education, teacher training)
• Flower
• Food, Sustenance, and Technology
• The technique (directly or indirectly relevant to the other topics)

Aeres looks beyond national boundaries by actively promoting its institutes to non-Dutch students and implementing abroad activities in the core fields of expertise. We encourage our staff, pupils, students, and course members to think and act internationally.

To Aires, learning is the engine for growth and change. We challenge (future) professionals to have a lifelong development of their competencies and worth for employers or clients. We believe in a society that continually develops the knowledge and skills needed for working sustainably with 'life.'

Dutch knowledge and skills within the green sector are trend-setting in the world. On the international agenda's themes like a viable environment and food security, take top positions. Because of external developments, the complexity of and the need for knowledge and skills increases. This results in a constant innovating process that needs professionals who can take those dynamics in their stride. By working together, learning organizations, entrepreneurial professionals, and students can create practical solutions for the future.

AERES University of Applied Sciences and Teacher Education is a recent merger of two universities: CAH (agricultural, food and urban programs, CAH Vilentum exist since 1954) and Stoas Hoge school (teacher education, Stoas Vilentum since 1981). There are three faculties within Aeres University of Applied Sciences offering full-time and part-time education at Diploma, BSc, and Master level. Aeres University of Applied Sciences has three faculties located in Almere, Dronten, and Wageningen. We offer different studies in various green areas of interest, from full-time and part-time studies to courses and research. In our offered programs, professionals prepare for their careers.

Aires offers a broad and comprehensive education that focuses on the student. Our programs have been developed along with the principles of Competency-Based Education (CBE). Our practical approach to training gives our students the invaluable opportunity of trying things out for themselves in real-life working environments. We coach at a wide variety of functioning facilities, such as dairy farms and commercial greenhouses. What's more, our capacity-building programs have a proven track record in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Our consultancy skills have helped many different organizations achieve objectives ranging from improving productivity to developing new business plans.

More than one hundred thousand students come to the Netherlands each year to study or complete a course or training program. Aeres University of Applied Sciences receives a large number of applications for its international programs each year. Some are from promising students who lack funding for a study abroad. For these students, Aires has set up the Aires International Student Fund (AISF) foundation. The AISF provides financial support to students outside the Netherlands who cannot benefit from any other financial support programs or grant schemes. Students may apply to the foundation for an AISF grant before they start their studies. This has enabled students from countries such as Kenia, Vietnam, Eritrea, and China to obtain their Bachelor's degree at Aeres University of Applied Sciences.