Coen Free, president of King William I College: “In 1991, the Dutch Ministry of Education asked me to visit the United States to study their system of higher education. I then visited a number of Community Colleges and universities. My interest turned into enthusiasm. I felt that King William I College should adopt the system. At that time the system was an unusual concept for the Netherlands and Europe. A campus was not the norm in Europe either, but I saw the importance of it. In my opinion it was an essential precondition to be able to fulfil the concept of a community college.

All this resulted in the purchase of an old army base. Now King William I College is the only community college in the Netherlands with a campus. We feel very strongly about not only the acquisition and transfer of knowledge, but also about the creation of a safe environment for students. The learning environment of our College is as innovative as the learning concept for our students. The transfer of knowledge and acquisition of skills, by making use of the latest technologies and learning strategies, plays an important role in education at King William I College.

Students are trained to be responsible and self-regulating people, in a society which is becoming more and more complex. Students of the 21st century must expand their horizons and King William I College lends them a helping hand: they are being prepared for a bright future in the international labour market. And that is the task of King William I College as ‘The best a school can be’!” With this vision in mind the School for the Future concept was developed.