University of Twente launches Centre for Security and Digitalisation

As of 1 July, the Centre for Security and Digitalisation (CVD) is officially a foundation. During the first Supervisory Board meeting, the initiators Municipality of Apeldoorn, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Police Academy and the University of Twente decided positively on the accession of two new partners to the centre: ROC Aventus and the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety (NIPV). A good start for Ben Kokkeler who started as director of CVD on 1 July.

Ben Kokkeler: "Together with ROC Aventus, we guarantee a complete continuous learning line of training in the field of security and digitalisation from MBO to University level. Within the Lifelong Development programme, they provide a broadening of the supply. With NIPV, CVD gains a national partner with expertise in the field of crisis management and fire fighting. This strengthens CVD's role as the link between digitalisation and the physical security domain.

ROC AVENTUS PROVIDES COMPLETE TRAINING LEVEL

Both ROC Aventus and NIPV have been involved in the activities of CVD for some time. Ellen Marks, Executive Board of ROC Aventus: "We already participate actively in the Education and Lifelong Development programmes. For instance, we are currently investigating the possibility of a new substantive level 4 course Security & Digitalisation. Together with Saxion, we are looking into the possibility of setting up a doctorate. In this way, we can carry out practice-oriented research and train for innovative craftsmanship."

NIPV STRENGTHENS KNOWLEDGE OF PHYSICAL SECURITY WITHIN THE CVD

At NIPV, the current social themes of 'information-driven security' and 'digital resilience' are high on the agenda. IJle Stelstra, Managing Director NIPV: "The digital and physical worlds are inextricably linked and form the nervous system of society. We contribute our knowledge and expertise of the physical world to the CVD and benefit from the education and research available at the other partners."

COLLABORATING ON A SAFE DIGITAL NETHERLANDS

"For me, it is a great start to work together with six official partners on a safe digital Netherlands. In addition to the knowledge institutions, I am also pleased that we are working intensively with Centraal Beheer Achmea, Tax and Customs Administration and the Land Registry. They are working with the University of Twente on a Course in Digital Transformation. And not to forget: the input from the Training and Knowledge Centre of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, Royal Netherlands Army, Apeldoorn IT and Saab Netherlands," says Kokkeler, who is looking forward to the moment when the location at Wapenrustlaan 11 in Apeldoorn is available. "The place where, from September onwards, students, teachers, researchers and experts from the business community and public organisations will come together to develop and share knowledge in the field of security and digitisation."

This article was first published on 18 July by University of Twente.