Work today for better education tomorrow

A perfect combination for someone with a clear ambition for our Dutch Innovation Factory. Serge: “If we can sustainably anchor the DIF in the education and research of HBO-ICT, I will have succeeded in my mission.”

HBO-ICT is spread across The Hague, Zoetermeer (DIF), and Delft, and each location has its own culture, according to Serge: “The physical distance is small, but feels big”, he says. “That’s why we need to look at the strategic role of each location, always from the perspective of added value for the student. I will never move students simply for the sake of moving them. The content has to make sense.”

Motivation

After a period in the commercial sector, Serge returned to education. “An educational institution truly makes a difference in the lives of students. Especially at THUAS, with its diverse student population, I feel that responsibility. Many students are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Seeing them grow and succeed motivates me far more than profits for shareholders.”

A good start

Reading out a PowerPoint doesn’t fit modern education, and good education innovates. At the same time, Serge believes we must accept that we cannot teach students everything. “The field is becoming broader and broader with AI, cybersecurity, and other developments. But we can provide our students with a strong foundation and teach them how to acquire new knowledge. A bachelor’s degree is the start of your journey, not the end.”

Dutch Innovation Factory

At the DIF in Zoetermeer, he sees opportunities, especially in the ecosystem: the connection with partners, the vocational college (mbo), start‑ups, and the municipality. “That offers huge potential for innovative education and research”, he says enthusiastically. “We need to make those opportunities more accessible to all HBO‑ICT students, regardless of their home campus. Not as isolated initiatives, but structurally embedded in the curriculum. The DIF must become a sustainable part of how we teach and conduct research, and that requires organisational strength and collaboration. If we’ve made major progress in anchoring that three years from now, I’ll be satisfied.”