Network of Education and Science Attachés

International OWA network

The Ministry currently employs 12 OWAs at diplomatic missions abroad. These are diplomatic posts both within and outside of Europe that fall under the Ministry’s Directorate of International Policy. The OWA network focuses on: 

• government bodies, both on a regional and national level; 
• education and knowledge institutions and umbrella organizations in senior secondary vocational education, higher education and science. 

OWA network remit

OWAs boost international cooperation. Ways in which they provide support include: 

• identifying trends and developments abroad;
• informing foreign partners on relevant developments in the Netherlands;
• increasing understanding of each other’s education and science systems;
• building and maintaining relationships with relevant stakeholders abroad; 
• identifying and utilizing opportunities for further cooperation;
• encouraging discussions on policy and exchange of good practices; 
• representing the interests of government bodies and education and knowledge institutions; 
• organizing online and in-person visits from and to institutions and government bodies. 

OWAs also offer assistance in the event that partners in their host country have any questions. For example: 

• How do I find a suitable education or knowledge institution in the Netherlands for cooperation purposes? And how do I build a relationship with this institution? 

More information on IKTS and OWA network

Do you have any general questions about the International Knowledge and Talent Strategy and the network of Education and Science Attachés? Please contact the programme coordinator.
Lise Weerden 
Email: l.c.j.weerden@minocw.nl

Other Ministry of Education, Culture and Science employees working abroad 

In addition to OWAs, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has other employees working abroad. These include:

• a Seconded National Expert at the European Commission;
• cultural attachés at various Dutch embassies via the covenant agreed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in regards to international cultural policy; 
• education attaché at the Permanent Representation of the European Union; 
• attaché at the Permanent Representation at UNESCO;
• secondment at the OECD;

For more information about these positions, please contact:

Bernardine Bijl
Email: b.bijl@minocw.nl
Jill Wijngaard
Email: j.e.wijngaard@minocw.nl