Agricultural college in money troubles
HAS 's-Hertogenbosch is in such a poor financial position that the education inspectorate has placed the institution under appropriate supervision. "The continuity of education could be at stake in the foreseeable future."
Image: \x3ca href=\"https://has.nl/nl/overhas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\x3eStill from movie HAS Hogeschool\x3c/a\x3e
In a report writes the inspectorate that the liquidity of the HAS has fallen sharply since 2011 due to operating losses and investments in real estate. From July, the university of applied sciences may no longer be able to meet its payment obligations. At the end of this year, the shortfall in cash will amount to 'at least' 3,5 million euros. At the end of 2016, HAS's equity had shrunk to 8,1 million euros.
According to the inspectorate, the rapid growth in the number of students in particular has played a role in HAS: between 2011 and 2017, it increased by seventy percent. At the same time, the university has invested heavily in new accommodation from its own resources. According to the Inspectorate, the Board has acknowledged that it has been insufficiently 'in control' in recent years
Optimistic
The university of applied sciences had to come up with an improvement plan by mid-May at the latest. A spokesperson for the inspectorate cannot make any further statements about this. In a press release The school reports on its own website that an improvement plan has now been submitted to the Inspectorate. With this improvement plan, we aim to be financially healthy again in 2020.
The HAS recognizes the problems outlined by the inspectorate in the report, but the quality of education is not under discussion. The NVAO inspector accredited all programs as sufficient to good. HAS Executive Board President Dick Pouwels is optimistic. Against it Brabants Dagblad he says that the 3.700 students at the HAS will not notice the financial problems and that the HAS will be back on track in a few years.
