Saxion meets Silicon Valley!

This minor is a cooperation between Saxion and the UC Berkeley. The minor includes a studytrip to the US, to the University of California, Berkeley. During the minor you get the unique opportunity to collect and apply state of the art knowledge and skills about a diversity of topics. During the minor, you visit UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley for three weeks (November 2024). You learn all about the 'power of Silicon Valley' and attend masterclasses and seminars in: Business and Data Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, CryptoAsset Tracking, Data Mining and Design Thinking. Also you will work with a projectgroup at an actual assignment for a company.

Course content

This minor is a cooperation between Saxion and the University of California, Berkeley. During the minor you get the unique opportunity to collect and apply state of the art knowledge and skills about a diversity of topics. During the minor, you will go visit UC Berkeley to learn about the 'power of Silicon Valley'.

During masterclasses you will study topics like: 

• Business and Data Analytics, translate data to Strategy and conversion to KPI, Startups and Personal Branding
• Machine Learning and AI, AI as a Service, CryptoAsset Tracking, Data Mining & Data Analysis, Metaverse, Blockchain
• Fine-tuning data to a dashboard: Design Thinking, Human Interface Interaction

You will attend these masterclasses given by professionals in the technology and financial industries. They work on a daily base with these topics to come up with innovative new products and services.

During the three weeks visit to UC Berkely and Silicon Valley, you will visit these companies in Silicon Valley and attend several Seminars or conferences about these topics. The opportunity to go to Silicon Valley is unique for a UAS like Saxion. Your chance to take a look in Silicon Valley and see how companies based there already come up with their innovations is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Also you will gain working experience on an internship level,because you will work at the company with your group.

Practical experience: In addition to the master classes, students visit companies in Silicon Valley to see how the topics covered are applied in practice. Various conferences are also attended. This offers students a unique opportunity to experience the dynamics and innovation of Silicon Valley up close.

Project assignments: At the start of the program, regionally selected companies present their challenges and assignments to the students. The students then work in multidisciplinary teams on these assignments, applying the knowledge they have acquired to develop creative solutions and dashboards. These projects vary and mainly focus on applying data analysis in the business context.

Collaboration with Companies: The minor offers companies the opportunity to collaborate with talented students and provides a platform for tackling concrete business challenges. Companies such as VDL ETC, Ten Cate Grass, Enrichment Technology, Coulisse BV, Malvern Panalytical, and many others have already participated. This collaboration not only offers companies solutions to their challenges, but also the opportunity to recruit future employees.

Additional costs
The expected costs for students participating in this minor are €2.250. If you qualify for the Holland Scholarship, and are granted the scholarship, you will get a deduction of €750 (you need to apply for the scholarship by yourself).

Berkeley - According to the travel restrictions for students we will follow the official policy from the USA. 
Saxion will align with all regulations according to US law and entry requirements (consider visa requirements and COVID-19 restrictions). You need to apply for a visa by yourself.

Target group

This minor is open to all students with an interest in the following subjects:

• Machine Learning and AI, AI as a Service, AI of Things, CryptoAssets Tracking, Data Mining & Data Analysis, Diversity in Tech, Metaverse
• Strategy and Business Intelligence, translate data to Strategy and conversion to KPI
• Fine tuning data to dashboard: Design Thinking, Human Interface Interaction

Information sessions
We understand that you need more information, information sessions are scheduled:

• 11th of  March 2024, 16:00-17:00
• 25th of March 2024, 16:00-17:00
• 8th of April 2024,18:00-19:00, with a live stream from UC, Berkeley
• 13th of May 2024, 16:00-17:00
• 19th of June 2024, 16:00 onsite early kick off of this minor, with a live stream from UC, Berkeley

If you want to join one of these meetings, please let me know. Send an email to r.slot@saxion.nl.

Course structure

Week 1
Developing a real learning community. The students will team up for the next 5 months in a very intensive adventurous educational programme. A strong community is the key to success.

Week 1-7
Meet the companies and their problems. Discussion and decision on the project topics for weeks 10-19. We will prepare students from several academies within Saxion towards these weeks at Berkeley with a 7 weeks pre-Berkeley programme at Saxion. During these 7 weeks you will be connected with companies outside Saxion to work on a dilemma on their behalf. Collecting the knowledge in these masterclasses must help you find solutions for these business cases. After your time in Berkeley you will present your case (Dashboard or maybe a strategy) to your company and we trust that you helped them to the next level.

Week 8-10
Visit to Silicon Valley, seminars, symposia, masterclasses, lectures at UC Berkeley.

Week 11-19
Working in and with the company. Bringing back the state-of-the-art knowledge and skills from Silicon Valley.

Week 20
Presentations

Assessment methods

80% OF THE CLASSES ARE MANDATORY

Week 7

• Assignment 1: Every module is wrapped up with a (small) assignment or certificate. You need to pass 80% of the modules to finish Assessment 1.

Week 10

• Assignment 2, Mid-term Project team presentation
• Assignment 3, Mid-term individual reflection report

Week 20
Project presentation for client
Reflection on project work

Application for non-Saxion student:

Before registration through Kies op Maat, please contact the minor-contact person: Robert Slot (r.slot@saxion.nl) 06-12619746 if participating is still possible or whether the maximum number of participants has been reached.

How do I apply?
The application process regarding the Kies op Maat minor at Saxion is a bit different than described at www.kiesopmaat.nl

How does it work?
Step 1: Download the learning agreement from the Kies op Maat website and let it sign by a member of the exam commission at your own educational institution ánd sign the document yourself.
Step 2: go to https://sis.saxion.nl/account# and fill in your personal data
Step 3: you will receive an automatic generated email from IAM including your username and password
Step 4: go the https://sis.saxion.nl, log on with your username and password which you have received from IAM and apply!
Step 5: After this we can process your application for a Kies op Maat minor at Saxion

Please note : in 'Upload documents' you are requested to upload some documents. The following documents we need:

• A copy of your valid passport or ID-card. No driving license!
• A copy of your propaedeutic diploma or a printout from the DUO diploma register. In case you do not have the propaedeutic diploma yet, we would like to receive an official statement from your educational institution in which they state that you will receive the propaedeutic diploma before the start of the minor.
• Learning agreement, page 1, 2 and 3 (signed by a member of the exam commission of your own education institution and student)
• Original Proof of Payment for the study year 2024-2025 (available from June). You can request this proof from your educational institution, also if you pay in instalments. Your educational institution will email the Proof of Payment to Saxion.
  Deadline for handing in the original Proof of Payment is 2 weeks before the start of the minor.

If you have further questions, please let us know. You can contact Saxion Student Registration, telephone number: 088 – 019 3000.