Work by Rauf Abdul, Shohreh Parham and Conor Sheehan Published in Prestigious Peer-Reviewed Journal

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-researchers-publish-paper-work-life-balance-and-remote-working.htm

Wittenborg scholars Rauf Abdul, Shohreh Parham and Conor Sheehan co-authored a paper that was recently published in the European Journal of Higher Education, focusing on how the recent pandemic continues to reshape the way we work considerably. 

Titled ‘Work-life balance and remote working in the pandemic and beyond: The lived experiences of university academics in the Netherlands and UK’, the study explores the impact of remote working on the work-life balance of university academics in these two countries. 

According to Wittenborg's Head of the School of Business Rauf Abdul, it is important to consider how the future of work will be shaped, especially with the widespread use of artificial intelligence. 

“New and innovative forms of work and completing tasks will be implemented by organisations. In general, the study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the impact of remote working on work-life balance. While remote working has the potential to improve work-life balance, it is not a cure-all solution and can also have negative impacts. Additionally, perhaps considering the role and impact of AI could extend this discussion to a different level. By recognising these complexities and taking steps to address them, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future of work,” he underlines.  

Staff and Students Gather to Have Fun 

https://www.wittenborg.eu/recipe-good-mood-wittenborgs-international-food-karaoke-night.htm

Wittenborg recently hosted an International Food & Karaoke Night at its Amsterdam study location, bringing staff and students from both master's and bachelor's programmes together for an evening of fun.  

Sam Kalya, Wittenborg's Recruitment & Sales Representative, shared insights into the event that took place on 15 March, highlighting the vibrant atmosphere. "Staff and students had a lot of fun. It is important to remember that part of being an international student is the social aspect."

Apart from karaoke, staff and students also had the option of showcasing a dish from their home country. There were about ten dishes to choose from. MBA (Master of Business Administration) student in Amsterdam, Zeinab Askarian's Kalam Polo was a fan favourite. "I wanted to introduce some of Iran's traditional dishes to people from other countries and get their feedback."

Zeinab explained that Kalam Polo's ingredients are rice, cabbage, meatballs and some vegetables. "It is cooked in a specific city of Iran. My mother-in-law taught me how to prepare it."

Zeinab encouraged other students to take part in similar events and cook dishes representing their cultures. "I want other students to participate in such events and cook themselves."

Zeinab also shared her experience of trying different dishes from various cultures at the event. She mentioned, "I was familiar with the dishes from Iran but there was a dish from India that I also really liked."

Kejsi Hoxha Represents Wittenborg at Career Week in Albania

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-receives-positive-feedback-students-and-agents-albania.htm

Kejsi Hoxha, Agent Management Administrator at Wittenborg, recently represented the organisation at the Open University Stands Day - Career Week 2024. The event, organised by Turgut Ozal Education Company in Tirana, Albania, provided a platform for business schools and universities with partnerships to showcase their offerings to prospective students.

Reflecting on the event, Hoxha highlighted its significance as the first ever initiative organised by Turgut Ozal Education Company for all partner universities. "It was a fantastic opportunity for universities to present their programmes and engage with students as they plan their academic futures," Hoxha stated. 

Wittenborg was among the distinguished institutions represented at the event, alongside five other international universities and local counterparts. Hoxha described the atmosphere at Wittenborg's stand, noting a high level of interest from attendees. "Our stand was the busiest, attracting attention from students considering various study options," she explained.

"The positive feedback we received about Wittenborg's cost-effective programmes and the popularity of business degrees in Albania was incredibly encouraging," shared Hoxha. "It reaffirmed our commitment to providing accessible and quality education to students."

In addition to engaging with prospective students, Hoxha is now preparing to conduct a webinar tailored to the interests of students met during the event.  

Mykhailo Huba shares highlights from the Baltic Education and Career Fair 

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-returns-lithuania-and-latvia.htm

Wittenborg's Admissions Manager, Mykhailo Huba, recently showcased the school's many offerings at the Baltic Education and Career Fair, held in Vilnius, Lithuania, and in Riga, Latvia, on 2 and 3 March.

The event, organised by educational services leader Kalba, provided a platform for prospective students to explore educational opportunities in various countries, including Germany, Ireland, Norway, the UK, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, the USA, Switzerland and, of course, the Netherlands.

Reflecting on the experience, Huba offered insight into the event's highlights and the unique charm of Vilnius and Riga. "The standout at the event was the organisation itself and the students who visited Wittenborg's booth," he remarked.

During the fair, Huba had the opportunity to explain Wittenborg's unique selling points in depth, including its six entries per year. He also informed prospective students about life in the Netherlands, the current housing situation and scholarships.

Huba further explained that attendees in the Baltic region responded very positively to the offerings and opportunities at Wittenborg. "Most of them are interested in studying in the Netherlands. Wittenborg turned out to be an attractive option for them."

Huba shared that Vilnius and Riga also left a lasting impression on him. "Lithuania and Latvia are somewhat like Belgium and the Netherlands; they are quite similar in terms of culture, language and customs. What is common for both is that the youth is generally progressive and does not have an 'old mindset'. Almost everyone that I have met there speaks good English, and they are very knowledgeable about the current situation in the world."

Derks Visits School and Meets with Students, Housing Team and Executive Staff

https://www.wittenborg.eu/apeldoorn-deputy-mayor-nick-derks-discusses-collaborations-wittenborg.htm

Wittenborg had the pleasure of welcoming Apeldoorn city councillor and Deputy Mayor Nick Derks for a visit on 15 March. Derks, who is responsible for the economy and higher education at the Municipality of Apeldoorn, came to the school with the goal of gaining further understanding of the demands of the sector, gathering policy insights and discussing possible partnerships.  

In addition to visiting Wittenborg’s housing facilities, where he met with the housing team and also spoke to some of the students, the councillor also attended a session with a group of international students and a meeting with the school’s management team.  

Apeldoorn councillor and Deputy Mayor Nick Derks said he was grateful for the warm welcome from the Wittenborg family. “It was inspiring to speak to these motivated students about the issues they encounter in Apeldoorn. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Wittenborg.” 

The school’s CEO, Maggie Feng, thanked Derks for his visit and highlighted that the meeting was very productive and insightful. She also emphasised Wittenborg’s commitment to keep working hard and making Apeldoorn home to talents from all over the world.  

Dr Elijah Sanches Inspires with Insights on Failure and Risk-Taking 

https://www.wittenborg.eu/global-people-lunch-talk-power-failure-and-being-yourself.htm

In a recent Global People Lunch & Talk, Wittenborg staff and students were treated to an insightful discussion led by Elijah Sanches, a 28-year-old doctor specialising in public health and prevention of domestic violence, child abuse, elderly abuse and sexual violence.  

From Doctor to Entrepreneur

On 14 March, Sanches kicked off his session titled 'The Power of Being Yourself' at Wittenborg's Amsterdam study location by emphasising the significance of failure. Sanches' dialogue particularly focused on the importance of taking risks in any entrepreneurial journey:  

"A lot of people I meet are very successful. They're millionaires, they're doctors, they have a good job. And when I ask them how they got there, they always tell me, 'I failed a lot'. The lessons I've learned during my five, six years as an entrepreneur are from failing. If everything is going well, you don't learn anything. When you fail, you have to think about what you can do better and find solutions."

Sanches, who initially wanted to be a plastic surgeon, went on to become a medical professional. But what he liked even more than that however, was being an entrepreneur. Sanches later co-founded Invicta Academy in 2019, a venture dedicated to providing education at all levels of the Dutch education system. Additionally, he founded Ankie – named after his mother – which focuses on delivering care to elderly individuals within the comfort of their homes.

Throughout the talk, Sanches shared anecdotes from his entrepreneurial ventures, highlighting the challenges he faced and the innovative solutions he devised.  

Wittenborg Representatives Attend the StudyExpo International Education Fair in Türkiye 

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-remains-popular-among-prospective-students-turkiye.htm

In a bid to offer prospective students a glimpse into Wittenborg's diverse educational programmes, Senior Communications Manager Sinem Dosdogru and Admissions Administrator Amin Nadervandi recently took part in the StudyExpo International Education Fair in Istanbul and Izmir.

From 24 to 27 February, a variety of schools from over 30 countries, including the United States, Germany, Australia, and South Africa, attended the fair. Notably, Wittenborg stood out as the only representative from the Netherlands.

Dosdogru and Nadervandi interacted with a crowd exceeding well over 250 people, all eager to explore study options in the Netherlands. Dosdogru said, "We had the longest queue from beginning to end of the fair, both days. It was remarkable."

Nadervandi noted the unique position Wittenborg held as the sole Dutch business school present, attracting significant interest from individuals and students aspiring to study in the Netherlands. He quipped, "We didn't take any coffee breaks due to the continuous flow of visitors queuing in front of our stand."

Dosdogru shared anecdotes of prospective students' enthusiasm, such as a group of five friends keen to study abroad together and a family with twins, both eager to pursue studies in the Netherlands.

She also answered common queries surrounding housing, language preferences and visa processes, underlining Wittenborg's commitment to providing comprehensive support.  

Institution Represented in Barcelona by Head of School of Business Rauf Abdul

https://www.wittenborg.eu/aacsbs-deans-conference-wittenborg-gains-valuable-insights-industry.htm

To foster meaningful connections, forge new partnerships and keep abreast of the latest industry trends, Wittenborg Head of the School of Business Rauf Abdul attended AACSB’s Deans Conference from 20 to 22 February. 

Held at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain, the event featured various networking sessions, open discussions, keynote speeches and workshops, among other activities. The themes addressed included the challenges faced by deans, entrepreneurship and innovation, how to build a college brand, digital transformation and the impact of AI on education.  

Abdul highlighted that the events were fruitful and inspiring, having centred on topics that are up to date and relevant to the industry. “The second keynote on ‘Leading a Business School in the Era of AI’ sparked a thought-provoking discussion. Participants reflected on the importance of embracing AI with a people-centric vision. One of the key challenges discussed was how higher education institutions and businesses can create value through generative AI technologies while being mindful of the ethical implications, particularly potential biases in data or algorithms.” 

The Head of the School of Business commented that he actively participated in the discussions held during the events, including the debate conducted during the session ‘The Inclusive Business School’. This activity focused on how schools are overcoming challenges related to inclusion and access.  

Students & Staff Discuss AI, Examinations, Communication and More 

https://www.wittenborg.eu/charting-course-progress-insights-wittenborgs-student-staff-conference-day.htm

On 5 March, Wittenborg hosted its annual Student and Staff Conference Day in Apeldoorn and online to encourage discussion and debate among students and staff.  

The day kicked off with separate discussions for staff and students, paving the way for interactive feedback exchanges in the afternoon. During these discussions, moderated – and led – by Wittenborg's Dadi Chen, Fjorentina Muco, Fahad Shakeel, and Vanessa de Oliveira Menezes at various stages, the staff meeting covered a wide range of topics. De Oliveira Menezes commented that the staff engaged in significant conversations, reflecting on the successes of the past year, including new student accommodation and collaboration with Global People.

"After a discussion lasting just over an hour, it was concluded that employees would like to take more courses to improve their skills," De Oliveira Menezes explained further. These courses could be in teaching, AI (Artificial Intelligence), communication, team building and other subjects.