We are very exited that GIMA has scored very well on the visitation of the programme in 2007.
The quality of all Dutch state registered BSc and MSc programmes are periodically assessed by an independent Dutch-Flemish visitation committee. During the period May until October 2007 this committee of 10 high esteemed members, chaired by professor Ottens, visitated 6 BSc and 14 MSc programmes in the domain of Geography, Physical planning and Demography as offered by Dutch universities. The GIMA MSc programme was one of the programmes to be assessed. The assessment itself is based on a number of evaluating criteria, including the so-called EU Dublin-descriptors concerning the competences of MSc degree awarded students. These criteria range from programme objectives, via the qualities of staff, of facilities, of quality care taking, up to programme results. The assessment itself is based on a self-study report and interviews. The self-report has been written by the previous GIMA programme director dr. Stan Geertman. The visitation committee interviewed GIMA students, staff and management during a site visit in Utrecht. The report of this evaluation has been published spring 2008. In this final report the GIMA programme has been qualified as fulfilling all the requirements which may be expected from an academic master programme. Some criteria (eg staff, relation content and presentation, supervision and evaluation) scored even higher than the so-called basic academic requirements. In comparison with the other assessed MSc programmes in this domain the GIMA programme scored highest. Overall it is a great result that could be realized thanks to the full GIMA community. This result challenges the GIMA community to foster this quality standard and to upgrade it to an internationally top level. For more information about the visitation results contact the current programme director dr. Ron van Lammeren.