Npuls grant for Leiden Education Support Network
The national Npuls Growth Fund programme has awarded a grant for the development of the Leiden Education Support (LES) Network. The project led by project manager Joasia van Kooten will start on 1 June.
Education network for innovation and collaboration
The LES Network will function as a Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) supporting teaching staff in further developing their teaching knowledge and skills. This will include, for example, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for students and staff. The network will also strengthen faculty and interfaculty lecturer communities and establish a knowledge portal with innovative teaching practices, professional development and relevant resources for all teaching and support staff.
LES is the initiative of the Leiden Learning & Innovation Centre (LLInC), with the proposal developed in close collaboration with colleagues from across the organisation. Contributions came from faculty teacher support desks and their professional services, lecturers, policy officers, directors of education and expertise centres such as ICLON, the UBL and the SEA.
Special Interest Group: AI in Education
A first step has already been taken with the establishment of the first university-wide SIG, focusing on the role and potential of AI in our teaching (AIED SIG). A second SIG, on inter- and transdisciplinary teaching, will launch soon.
More about the Centre for Teaching and Learning
The creation of this CTL aligns with the national objectives of the Npuls programme, which encourages all vocational, higher vocational and university institutions to set up a CTL by 2030. Institutions are free to design structures and activities that suit their specific context. For Leiden University, this translates into a hybrid approach, in which central services collaborate more closely with the faculties through the LES network. During the project, teaching staff will contribute to a learning ecosystem that reflects the practical realities and priorities of our academic staff.
For more information about the AIED SIG, see the staff members website.
If you have any questions or would like to join a SIG, please contact Joasia van Kooten via j.van.kooten@llinc.leidenuniv.nl.