In this paper Ill discuss the first outcomes of an explorative research concerning the consultancy projects of a consultancy-based learning programme (Minor Consultancy 2006 - 2007, half-year bachelor programme University of Applied Sciences, Hogeschool Utrecht, The Netherlands). In order to improve the programme on consultancy and to get information on the phenomenon of small business1 consultancy, we explored the success and failures of junior and senior consultants in 8 small business consultancy cases. Junior consultants reviewed their experiences by using elements of the Critical Incident Technique (determining and reviewing just after finishing the projects). What, when and how did they learn and was at the same time effective and beneficial for the client / project? Clients and senior consultants were interviewed and we explored their perceptions of performance, interaction and learning. First results indicate that clients perceive the performance of junior consultants as positive. Juniors and clients need to collaborate in order to achieve adequate project results. Junior consultants / students learn from their consultancy experience. They improve their communication skills and become more self-assure in the relation with a client. Senior consultants / teaching staff members learn from juniors and become aware of their complex role. Clients need reflection to understand that they have learned during the project and consultancy can bee seen as a learning opportunity. Future research: we want to continue to collect process-data of small business consultancy cases in order to get a better understanding of the practice of small business consultancy and (consultancy-based) learning.
Onderzoek naar het gebruik van consultant competenties in teamgerichte nascholingssituaties. IJking van een consultant vaardighedentaxonomie
Purpose In order to facilitate ageing-in-place (AiP) with dementia, a digital consultancy tool (DCT) was designed to facilitate modifications to the home environment. In the Netherlands, about 65% of the 270,000 older adults with dementia live in their own dwelling. At the same time, 40% of the Dutch housing stock is not appropriate for older adults to live independently1 . Admission to a nursing home is usually caused by stress and a straining of the family carers. Caring for a person with dementia requires constant vigilance. Although admission to a nursing home cannot always be avoided, admission may be postponed by modifying the dwelling and through the use of technology. At present, persons with dementia are not able to adjust their dwelling to suit their needs. Therefore, it is important that carers and installers have access to information on how to design a dwelling in a dementia-friendly way. Method Based on publications about housing facilities2 , thermal comfort3 and dementiafriendly space plan4 , the design for a DCT for AiP was made. The design of the DCT will be discussed in focus group sessions in Alzheimer Cafés with persons with dementia and their family carers. First, sessions will be held about the requirements for the web tool for dementia-friendly design. After gathering the requirements and verification to (inter)national guidelines concerning the accessibility of webpages, focus group sessions will be held with user groups in order to test the usability of the preliminary DCT. Results & Discussion Results of this process are a webpage with descriptions of how to create a dementia-friendly dwelling for AiP with dementia. On the webpage dementia-friendly modifications of the living environment will be ordered by problem/function or space. Problems are categorized by (I)ADL tasks, behaviour, or cognitive problems. Adjustments of spaces are categorized by the combined model of WHO’s ICF and the Model of Integrated Building Design3,5.
Aeres University of Applied Sciences has placed internationalisation as a key driver in its overall strategy. By prioritising the internationalisation of education and educational consultancy the university has created solid opportunities for students, lecturers, and partners at regional, national, and international levels. Currently, more strategic development on internationalisation in applied research at Aeres is needed. There is an opportunity to utilise highly proficient researchers, state-of-the-art facilities, and an impressive national research portfolio, and for this, there is a need to develop international research agenda, a key priority for AeresResearch4EU. To address this need, Aeres University of Applied Sciences aims to strengthen its internationalisation efforts with its research activities, opening the door to many opportunities, and most importantly, creating an international research agenda spanning the university's three locations. The main objectives of AeresResearch4EU are to analyse the existing research strategy and professorships and develop them towards a global research agenda for the European Union. By focusing on international research projects, Aeres can further enhance its reputation as a leading institution for applied research in agriculture, food, environment, and green technologies. AeresResearch4EU aims to create new partnerships and collaborations with researchers and institutions across Europe, allowing Aeres to contribute to developing innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges. With its strong commitment to internationalisation and its focus on applied research, Aeres University of Applied Sciences is poised to become an essential player in the European research landscape.
Horse riding falls under the “Sport for Life” disciplines, where a long-term equestrian development can provide a clear pathway of developmental stages to help individuals, inclusive of those with a disability, to pursue their goals in sport and physical activity, providing long-term health benefits. However, the biomechanical interaction between horse and (disabled) rider is not wholly understood, leaving challenges and opportunities for the horse riding sport. Therefore, the purpose of this KIEM project is to start an interdisciplinary collaboration between parties interested in integrating existing knowledge on horse and (disabled) rider interaction with any novel insights to be gained from analysing recently collected sensor data using the EquiMoves™ system. EquiMoves is based on the state-of-the-art inertial- and orientational-sensor system ProMove-mini from Inertia Technology B.V., a partner in this proposal. On the basis of analysing previously collected data, machine learning algorithms will be selected for implementation in existing or modified EquiMoves sensor hardware and software solutions. Target applications and follow-ups include: - Improving horse and (disabled) rider interaction for riders of all skill levels; - Objective evidence-based classification system for competitive grading of disabled riders in Para Dressage events; - Identifying biomechanical irregularities for detecting and/or preventing injuries of horses. Topic-wise, the project is connected to “Smart Technologies and Materials”, “High Tech Systems & Materials” and “Digital key technologies”. The core consortium of Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Rosmark Consultancy and Inertia Technology will receive feedback to project progress and outcomes from a panel of international experts (Utrecht University, Sport Horse Health Plan, University of Central Lancashire, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), combining a strong mix of expertise on horse and rider biomechanics, veterinary medicine, sensor hardware, data analysis and AI/machine learning algorithm development and implementation, all together presenting a solid collaborative base for derived RAAK-mkb, -publiek and/or -PRO follow-up projects.
The overall purpose of this consultancy was to support the activities under the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in developing the 7th pan-European environmental assessment, an indicator based and thematic assessment, implemented jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The series of environmental assessments of the pan-European region provide up to-date and policy-relevant information on the interactions between the environment and society. This consultancy was to:> Draft the input on drivers and developments to chapter 1.2 of the assessment related to the environmental theme “4.2 Applying principles of circular economy to sustainable tourism”.> Suggest to UNECE and UNEP the most policy relevant indicators from UNECE-environmental, SDG indicators and from other indicator frameworks such as EEA or OECD for the environmental theme for the sub-chapter 4.2.> Assess the current state, trends and recent developments and prepare the substantive part of sub-chapter 4.2 (summary - part I) and an annex (part II) with the detailed analysis and findings.
