We opt for a flat, agile organisational structure in which knowledge sharing is evident and informal and interdisciplinary consultations are given plenty of room. We set our courses, in which education, practice-oriented research and services are realized in synergy, at the heart of our organizational structure. Our university of applied sciences has a strong consultation culture. Sense of initiative is encouraged. Managers are easily accessible. The short lines between students, employees, the professional field and managers promote coordination and contribute to rapid and dynamic decision-making. Howest-wide advisory and consultative bodies provide input to policy: Internal Audit Committee, Student Council, Student Services Council and Negotiating Committee for institutions of higher education. Board Howest University of Applied Sciences is directed by the Managing Director, Frederik D'hulster, the Supervisory Board and the Steering Committee. Supervisory Board The Supervisory Board is the main governing body of Howest. Read more Steering Committee The University of Applied Sciences is directed by the Supervisory Board, the Steering Committee and the Managing Director. Read more Management Committee The Management Committee manages the organisation on a day-to-day basis and reports to the Steering Committee and to the Supervisory Board. Read more Service Committee Programmes and services help shaping the strategic plan. Read more Programmes Howest's organisational model puts forward autonomous teams in which the many talented colleagues are empowered to take ownership. Employees can be themselves and are allowed to grow in their skills and expertise by pitching ideas and initiatives in an environment of trust and dialog. Their valued talents and know-how provide the quality that determines teaching, research and service. Within complementary teams, our staff, based on a vision of lifelong learning, are role models for each other and their students. In order to be sufficiently strategic and decisive at all locations, the programmes are divided into 2 units. A unit is headed by a Director of Programmes. There is 1 Director of Programmes Kortrijk and 1 Director of Programmes for the campuses in Bruges and Oudenaarde. Related programmes (with similar competences in the team, common field of work or intake profile) are clustered and managed by a programme manager who takes up a renewable four-year mandate. Through this acquired scale, we strengthen the educational organisation and create more opportunities for students, staff and become stronger in carrying out the social mission in an increasingly fast-moving society. The unique identity and variety in size of our programmes requires a personalised approach and management. The study programme manager can organise the study programmes in his/her own cluster and, within the framework of shared leadership, delegate tasks to, among others, a study programme coordinator who is the contact for students for one or more study programmes/majors/minors, responsible for the educational organisation and the substantive development and renewal of curricula, in coordination with the professional field. Programme coordinators also take up a four-year renewable mandate. Within the programmes, some domains of expertise are created regarding research, community service and lifelong learning. These domains of expertise are powered with the valued knowledge and expertise of colleagues in various programmes. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Howest can respond to a number of leading state-of-the-art topics where Howest can work on projects together with local and international work fields, governments and external partners. New ideas and solutions are made immediately available and embedded in the programmes. Each programme has a student participation committee. At least twice a year, students are given the opportunity to give extensive feedback on all aspects of the programme. There is also consultation with the work field at least once a year through the work field committee. In these consultations, professionals from the field help shaping the programme. Services The educational organisation is strengthened by a high-performance service organisation. Services have a helicopter view of the organisation. They develop Howest-wide frameworks and help creating synergy between the programmes. They alert the management and provide important input for policy preparation, follow-up and evaluation. From an approachable structure and flexible project organisation, we are committed to cross-horizontal collaborations within our University of Applied Sciences. Howest identifies and connects the talents of its employees across services and programmes. Only in this way, Howest can innovate with determination, do business with drive and deal smartly with technology and digitalisation. Services are housed in the building ‘General Services’ or on campus. A service is headed by a director or head of service. Organigram