Erasmus+ | Suriname
As a knowledge institution, Fontys invests not only in the relationship between education and professional practice, but also in research and innovation in close collaboration with the working field through strong regional engagement. In doing so, Fontys aligns with current economic and societal developments. This regional anchoring, within an increasingly international and multidisciplinary professional landscape, calls for high-quality education where international components are an integral part of the curriculum.
More and more students are choosing to engage with the international dimension of their field—during their studies or directly after graduation—through internships, jobs, or by starting businesses abroad. Fontys University of Applied Sciences also welcomes a growing number of international students who pursue bachelor’s programs or minors. As a result, the Fontys Centre for Entrepreneurship (CvO) increasingly integrates internationalisation into its entrepreneurship programs—responding directly to market-driven challenges that require cross-border collaboration between students, (future) startups, and companies. This calls for deliberate action, and Fontys CvO is taking steps to expand its international outreach and better support international ambitions.
In Suriname, entrepreneurship plays an increasingly important role in the country’s economic progress. Not only has entrepreneurship demonstrated its value over past decades, but it has also proven to be a stabilising factor during times of crisis. Suriname offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurial activity—especially in the context of social entrepreneurship and sustainable development. There is enormous potential to launch ventures that contribute to preserving the country’s natural beauty and resources.
Young people should be introduced to entrepreneurship during their studies. They should be offered knowledge, hands-on experience, and insight into entrepreneurial opportunities. This will enable them to recognise and seize opportunities more effectively, reduce their chances of failure, and better assess the viability and scalability of their ideas.
This creates an exciting opportunity to explore a long-term partnership between Fontys University of Applied Sciences and Hogeschool Janssen & Partners in Suriname. One of the goals is to initiate a student exchange program.
Currently, we are developing an international Minor in Entrepreneurship that will take place partly in Suriname, the Netherlands, and Curaçao. Curious about what the program looks like? Watch the national Surinamese TV interview where we were invited to share more about this initiative!
Would you like to know more about this project or the upcoming international minor?
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Do you have a question or want to learn more about one of our areas of expertise? Feel free to reach out or visit us at our Entrepreneurship Hub – we’d love to meet you!