On Monday, 8 April, the boards of the two business academies decided to start preparing a recommendation that could lead to the merger of the two institutions, with the goal of establishing a new powerhouse for vocational higher education in the Capital Region.
The higher education universe is currently undergoing reforms. The educational landscape is changing, the number of young people is decreasing while there is a significant shortage of labor. At the same time, sustainability, green transition, and AI are setting a new agenda for the development of practice-based knowledge.
By merging, there is an opportunity to create an institution with new synergies and lifting power that benefits both the youth, the labor market, and the business community in the region, as well as the sector as a whole. It is this potential that the two boards have now committed to further explore in the coming months.
The merger plan, which we are now beginning to prepare, is expected to be presented to the two boards at the end of June. If it is approved by both boards, it will be presented to the minister for approval. If the plan is approved, the goal is for the new business academy to be established by the summer of 2025.