Unique GRL program reaccredited

“Innovative, creative, refreshing”: the GRL has been officially reaccredited.

Today, we are proud to announce that our BSc Global Responsibility and Leadership (GRL) at the University College Fryslân has been reaccredited after five years. Our programme successfully meets the quality standards of small-scale and intensive education.

The BSc Global Responsibility and Leadership (GRL) at the University College Fryslân is constantly evolving to respond to new global challenges. It is innovative and future-oriented, and it succeeds in training a new generation of critical thinkers who are aware of the seriousness of today’s challenges and are ready to act collectively and creatively.

Today, we are proud to announce that our programme has been reaccredited after five years. Our programme successfully meets the quality standards of small-scale and intensive education.

What does this mean for a student of the GRL programme?

You will study in a programme that the official re-accreditation report describes as “innovative, creative, refreshing”. GRL belongs to the broad family of Liberal Arts & Sciences degrees, with a unique colour and focus. The programme is designed to respond to very urgent and concrete problems: its main ambition is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle global challenges, such as climate justice and global poverty. To this end, the programme is structured around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The re-accreditation report stresses that “GRL takes up a unique position in the Dutch higher education landscape.”

What makes us unique is also our emphasis on responsible leadership. In the GRL programme, you will benefit from a 3-year leadership training with two main components. First, an emphasis on personal development through guided self-reflections, mentorship and ethical education. Second, an emphasis on professional development through research internships with local & global stakeholders (from local municipalities to international organisations ).

We are especially proud that the re-accreditation report emphasises the dedication and qualifications of our professional and academic staff. Our staff is highly international and works tirelessly to provide excellent education and professional service. As a student, you will benefit from personalised study advice; lecturers will know your name, and you will be able to develop your confidence in public speaking in small-sized classrooms. It is wonderful for us to see you grow and develop over three years. You will not believe how much you will bond with your fellow classmates.

Finally, you will belong to a community that continues to exist after three years. Our alumni are now across the world, continuing their studies in prestigious universities, completing internships or starting their careers in different domains, such as strategy & sustainability management or consulting in Energy Transition. We keep in touch with each other.

We want your future to be open. And we want you to open new futures. With your knowledge and skill set, we trust you will contribute to making our world a better place for everyone.