Amsterdam University of applied sciences

Who is Amsterdam University of applied sciences?

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences is one of the Netherland’s leading universities offering a broad range of professional education programmes to a diverse mix of students.. Its mission is to connect education and applied research to enable innovation in the professional sector and community. With an emphasis on connecting entrepreneurship with education, research, and professional practice, the HvA develops students into entrepreneurial professionals. In the courses, programs and minors given in the HvA, students are trained to create solutions and sustainable innovations to urban challenges in close collaboration with relevant partners.

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The HvA is the lead for WP2 in the DEGREE Project. Together with OAMK and Hogent, the three partners created guidelines for training of professionals, forming a community of practice and use metrics for efficiency. The HvA, in particular, coordinated the development of curriculum and translated the input of partners in educational materials, guides for trainers and class activities.

For 2026-2027, the HvA team is composed by three members:

JuanFra Alvarado Valenzuela (PhD UvA, 2019) is the lead for the HvA team He is a sociologist specialized in entrepreneurship education and research He has ample experience in EE curriculum development for non-business students, for instance in the field of health care and teacher training. At the same time, he has conducted research in various topics: entrepreneurial failure and resilience, regenerative business models, innovative business networks and diversity in business. He additionally acts as the Scientific Director for the AUAS Venture Centre which stimulates and supports innovative, sustainable and inclusive student entrepreneurship

Emily Rutland is an experienced educator, designer, and facilitator specializing in intercultural communication, entrepreneurship education, and capability-based teaching methodologies. She works internationally across higher education, vocational training, and organizational learning, focusing on building adaptable frameworks that connect theory with practice across diverse cultural and sectoral contexts. She is part of the HvA-Amsterdam School of International Business. 

Maarten Hogenstijn (PhD UU, 2008) is Professor in applied sciences in the topic of Social Entrepreneurship and an expert in the field of the development of social entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. He is trained as a social geographer and journalist, and has been active as a researcher on the theme of social entrepreneurship since 2015. In education, he is a lecturer and assessor within the minor Entrepreneurship for Society and the master's in EconomicTransformation. He is also a member of the Review Board of the Social Enterprises Code and co-founder of the Knowledge Network Social Entrepreneurship Netherlands (KSON).

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