Best Christmas Markets in and Around the Netherlands in 2023
Start Creating Your Christmas Market Wishlist
https://www.wittenborg.eu/best-christmas-markets-and-around-netherlands-2023.htm
As the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year! Let's take a moment to appreciate the joy and excitement that Christmas brings.
In the Netherlands, numerous Christmas markets are worth exploring. From the charming stalls filled with festive decorations to the delightful aroma of mulled wine and 'oliebollen', these markets offer a truly magical experience. And if you're up for a little adventure, there are also plenty of Christmas markets just a short trip away from the Netherlands.
Christmas Town Valkenburg - 17 November to 7 January
One of the most distinctive and renowned Christmas markets in the Netherlands is undoubtedly the one held annually in the town of Valkenburg in Limburg. What makes this market even more interesting, is the fact that it takes place in the well-known caves of the city. However, don't assume that the market is gloomy and dimly lit! The enchanting atmosphere is created by the abundance of twinkling lights and magical decorations.
Christmas Market Haarlem - 8 December to 10 December
This year, Haarlem's Christmas Market will showcase 350 stalls dispersed across 12 spots within the city centre. The Schagchelstraat will once again be transformed into the Street of Emma, transporting visitors to an authentic 19th century Christmas celebration, while the Kleine Houtstraat will adopt a medieval theme. The market offers a wide range of entertainment options, featuring numerous performances both indoors and outdoors.
Dutch Election Result - Wittenborg Explains
Dutch Election Result - Wittenborg Explains
https://www.wittenborg.eu/dutch-election-result-wittenborg-explains.htm
"As you embark on reading this article, I'd like to underscore a fundamental aspect of Wittenborg: our unwavering commitment to being an international business school. At Wittenborg, we offer bachelor's, master's, and MBA programmes, all conducted entirely in English, reflecting our dedication to global education standards. Central to our ethos is the celebration of internationalisation, diversity, and inclusion. We proudly welcome students, faculty, and staff from every corner of the globe, embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. As proponents of globalisation, we at Wittenborg champion the principles of social liberalism, which have been instrumental in shaping the Netherlands' success on the world stage.”
Peter Birdsall, President, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
One week has passed since the Dutch general elections were held. In a significant shift, the incumbent government led by Mark Rutte, known for its social liberalist policies, faced a setback as voters redirected their support. This resulted in the governing parties losing seats to various populist factions, both established and emerging. Contrary to the expectations of those not closely following the political debates, Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV), known for its far-right stance, secured a notable victory, winning 37 of the 150 parliamentary seats.
Wittenborg Expands Educational Horizons in Indonesia
Kejsi Hoxha Represents Wittenborg at the 15th European Higher Education Fair in Indonesia
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-expands-educational-horizons-indonesia.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is making significant strides in expanding its global outreach with a recent visit to Indonesia. This November, Kejsi Hoxha, Wittenborg's Agent Management Administrator, travelled to Surabaya and Jakarta to spotlight study opportunities at Wittenborg for students interested in pursuing education in the Netherlands.
Enthusiastic response in Surabaya and Jakarta
Hoxha represented Wittenborg at the 15th European Higher Education Fair (EHEF), a premier event showcasing opportunities for students interested in pursuing higher education in Europe. The first event took place on 8 November in Surabaya, followed by the second on 11 to 12 November in Jakarta, both proving notably successful.
"Despite Surabaya being smaller than Jakarta, I encountered numerous students enthusiastic about the prospect of studying abroad, with the Netherlands high on their list," she explained.
Hoxha recounted meeting a prospective student whose brother spoke highly of Wittenborg.
"She was eagerly anticipating a similar experience, having heard many positive stories from her brother."
These narratives encompassed Wittenborg's study programmes and student accommodation.
Hoxha noted that almost all students visiting Wittenborg's booth expressed keen interest in learning more about the university's programmes.
"They were particularly drawn to Wittenborg's Finance or Human Resources programmes. At both locations, students expressed concerns about the language of these programmes, but they were pleasantly surprised to discover that Wittenborg delivers all its programmes in English."
Climbing the Ladder: Wittenborg Graduate Pursuing Successful Career in Hospitality
Siddhartha Majumdar Combining Hard Work and Focus to Achieve his Goals
“It is all about keeping your focus on the right things, avoiding distractions and making sure that every day of your life, whatever you are doing, you are doing it for a reason and not wasting time,” reflects Siddhartha Majumdar, who completed a bachelor’s degree in Sport Business Management last year at Wittenborg.
Currently, Siddhartha is working as the Operations and Administrative manager at the Veluwse Horeca Club, being in charge of three restaurants. In order to get there, he had to undergo a journey that took him from Calcutta, India, to the Netherlands, and required him to work hard to climb every step of his career to the present moment.
The alumnus explains that when he was in India, he intended to study sports, but because Indian programmes in this field are not recognised worldwide, he decided to move abroad. Wittenborg stood out to him because, in addition to being in the Netherlands, a country that is open to different cultures, the way the programme was structured matched his goals, and the tuition fees were within his family’s budget.
At 18 years old, moving across the world on his own to pursue his studies was the beginning of a completely new experience for Siddhartha.
Wittenborg Launches New Website for Enhanced User Experience
Wittenborg Introduces Comprehensive Website Overhaul for Enhanced User Experience
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-launches-new-website-enhanced-user-experience.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has unveiled its revamped website, ushering in a new era of online exploration. This fresh digital landscape offers a visually stunning and incredibly user-friendly experience. Denis Schuh, Wittenborg's IT Specialist & Web Designer, shared insights into the development of the new website, which was launched at the end of October.
Enhanced user experience
The website redesign is both visually striking and highly functional. The team behind the scenes focused on streamlining the design while maintaining valuable information.
"We've updated the design to meet current internet preferences, making it more comfortable and faster for visitors to find what they need," Schuh explained.
The changes extend to various sections of the website, including the front page, news, events, web forms and programmes.
Global People Lunch & Talk: Mariam Talhaoui's Inspiring Entrepreneurial Journey
Mariam Talhaoui's Journey Establishing Thriving Daycare in Almere
On 14 November, at Wittenborg's Amsterdam study location, Mariam Talhaoui, founder of Second Home Kinderopvang, captivated students and staff with her journey from a small daycare to a thriving business.
Wittenborg Senior Lecturer, Amy Abdou, introduced Talhaoui as a prominent figure in the local entrepreneurial landscape, celebrated for her achievements in childcare, notably as the winner in the Entrepreneur category at the Global People Awards 2022. Talhaoui returned for the 18th edition of the awards in November 2023, this time as a jury member.
Seizing opportunities in the Netherlands
Born and raised in the Netherlands after her parents emigrated from Morocco in 1974, Talhaoui's story is a testament to hard work, dedication and the seizing of opportunities.
Wittenborg Expands Network at ICEF Berlin
School’s Representatives Participate in Panel and Meet with More than 70 Student Agents
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-celebrates-academic-excellence-oral-defence-day.htm
From 5 to 7 November, Wittenborg participated in ICEF Berlin, one of the most important B2B networking conferences for the international education sector. This year’s edition of the event was the largest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, attended by over 2,600 participants affiliated with 1,635 organisations from 110 countries. This represents a 6% increase from ICEF Berlin 2022’s combined onsite and online numbers as well as a 19% increase from last year’s conference onsite-only attendance.
During the event, Wittenborg was represented by its president, Peter Birdsall, as well as Admissions Manager Mykhailo Huba and Admissions Administrator Amin Nadervandi.
Huba and Nadervandi were responsible for networking with student agents and connected with over 70 professionals over the course of the conference. Birdsall’s activities included participating in a panel session alongside two other education experts: International Recruitment Manager Tom Whittaker from the University of Central Lancashire and Portfolio Director of Languages Liam Vint from LanguageCert.
Organised by LanguageCert, the session centred on three areas: the Importance of English Language Testing for International Students; the Important Role Scholarships Play in Student Recruitment and Diversification; and Employability and the Role Universities and Colleges Can Play.
Capgemini Innovation Day: A 'Must-Attend' Event Says Wittenborg CEO
Capgemini Innovation Day: Focusing on Generative AI
https://www.wittenborg.eu/capgemini-innovation-day-must-attend-event-says-wittenborg-ceo.htm
Maggie Feng, CEO of Wittenborg, enthusiastically shared her thoughts on the fifth annual Capgemini Innovation Day, labelling it a "must-attend event" in her schedule.
On 27 October, the city of Utrecht hosted the much-anticipated Innovation Day by the renowned information technology services and consulting company, putting a significant spotlight on the future. With an engaging programme that featured keynote speakers and an array of breakout sessions and workshops, this year's Innovation Day offered a unique opportunity to delve into the latest developments in innovation and sustainability.
Feng highlighted the impressive line-up of speakers, including Peter Hinssen, Robert H.P. Engels and Cara Antoine, the first female Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Capgemini.
Engels, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of AI (Artificial Intelligence) at Capgemini, echoed Feng's sentiments on LinkedIn, emphasising that the event prompted participants to critically assess their approach to technology. Engels posed the question: "New technology is here, but are we giving it the attention it deserves?" In a captivating demonstration of Generative AI's capabilities, he augmented an amputated guitar—compensating for missing strings—underscoring the transformative potential of this technology.
Broadening Horizons: Wittenborg Goes to Pakistan
Michael Sheppard and Rauf Abdul Having Productive Discussions with Student Agencies and Universities
https://www.wittenborg.eu/broadening-horizons-wittenborg-goes-pakistan.htm
With the goal of discussing partnerships, networking and promoting Wittenborg, Recruitment & Sales Representative Michael Sheppard and Head of the School of Business Rauf Abdul were in Pakistan from 23 October to 3 November.
In addition to meeting with student agencies, the two representatives visited three prestigious Pakistani higher education institutions, having the opportunity to meet their deans. In Lahore, Sheppard and Abdul went to the University of the Punjab’s Hailey College of Banking and Finance and to Suleman Dawood Business School at the Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS), which is the first and currently only AACSB-accredited institute in Pakistan. And, in Islamabad, they visited Bahria University, a 20,000-student institution which is currently seeking AACSB accreditation.
During the visits to student agencies, the discussions centred on the needs of Pakistani students, the countries where they would like to study and the main aspects of life in the Netherlands, as well as Wittenborg and its courses. The response was very positive, and while Abdul and Sheppard met with some agencies that already collaborate with Wittenborg, they also visited new organisations to broaden the school’s horizons in Pakistan.
Wittenborg Celebrates Academic Excellence on Oral Defence Day
Rising to the Challenge of Oral Defence Day
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-celebrates-academic-excellence-oral-defence-day.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences recently held its 'Oral Defence Day'. On 12 and 13 October, students from Apeldoorn, Amsterdam and Munich presented their Work Placement and GA/FP (Graduation Assignment and Final Project) oral defences in front of their academic supervisors, a second marker as well as a panel member.
At Wittenborg, bachelor's students are required to complete an internship or ('work placement'), followed by the submission of a Work Evaluation Report (WER) and a subsequent oral defence known as the 'Work Placement Oral Defence'. This oral defence takes place every Thursday during the last week of each academic block. Additionally, both bachelor's and master's students defend their theses, known as the GA/FP Oral Defence.
In her role as Education Support Administrator & GEB Secretary, Hanna Abdelwahab prepares the Oral Defence schedule, which has become an essential part of Wittenborg's academic calendar.
"This year, students from various specialisations presented research projects that range from ethics, leadership and employee skills to marketing and brand image."
According to Abdelwahab, it is interesting to note that there has been a surge in research topics related to technology (44%) such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Chatbots, Block-chain Technology, e-HRM and E-Inventory, as well as topics related to sustainability and green marketing, to name a few.
"The day underscored the importance of research of current topics and the quality of up-to-date education at Wittenborg."
Best Christmas Markets in and Around the Netherlands in 2023
Start Creating Your Christmas Market Wishlist
https://www.wittenborg.eu/best-christmas-markets-and-around-netherlands-2023.htm
As the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year! Let's take a moment to appreciate the joy and excitement that Christmas brings.
In the Netherlands, numerous Christmas markets are worth exploring. From the charming stalls filled with festive decorations to the delightful aroma of mulled wine and 'oliebollen', these markets offer a truly magical experience. And if you're up for a little adventure, there are also plenty of Christmas markets just a short trip away from the Netherlands.
Christmas Town Valkenburg - 17 November to 7 January
One of the most distinctive and renowned Christmas markets in the Netherlands is undoubtedly the one held annually in the town of Valkenburg in Limburg. What makes this market even more interesting, is the fact that it takes place in the well-known caves of the city. However, don't assume that the market is gloomy and dimly lit! The enchanting atmosphere is created by the abundance of twinkling lights and magical decorations.
Christmas Market Haarlem - 8 December to 10 December
This year, Haarlem's Christmas Market will showcase 350 stalls dispersed across 12 spots within the city centre. The Schagchelstraat will once again be transformed into the Street of Emma, transporting visitors to an authentic 19th century Christmas celebration, while the Kleine Houtstraat will adopt a medieval theme. The market offers a wide range of entertainment options, featuring numerous performances both indoors and outdoors.
Dutch Election Result - Wittenborg Explains
Dutch Election Result - Wittenborg Explains
https://www.wittenborg.eu/dutch-election-result-wittenborg-explains.htm
"As you embark on reading this article, I'd like to underscore a fundamental aspect of Wittenborg: our unwavering commitment to being an international business school. At Wittenborg, we offer bachelor's, master's, and MBA programmes, all conducted entirely in English, reflecting our dedication to global education standards. Central to our ethos is the celebration of internationalisation, diversity, and inclusion. We proudly welcome students, faculty, and staff from every corner of the globe, embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. As proponents of globalisation, we at Wittenborg champion the principles of social liberalism, which have been instrumental in shaping the Netherlands' success on the world stage.”
Peter Birdsall, President, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
One week has passed since the Dutch general elections were held. In a significant shift, the incumbent government led by Mark Rutte, known for its social liberalist policies, faced a setback as voters redirected their support. This resulted in the governing parties losing seats to various populist factions, both established and emerging. Contrary to the expectations of those not closely following the political debates, Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV), known for its far-right stance, secured a notable victory, winning 37 of the 150 parliamentary seats.
Wittenborg Expands Educational Horizons in Indonesia
Kejsi Hoxha Represents Wittenborg at the 15th European Higher Education Fair in Indonesia
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-expands-educational-horizons-indonesia.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is making significant strides in expanding its global outreach with a recent visit to Indonesia. This November, Kejsi Hoxha, Wittenborg's Agent Management Administrator, travelled to Surabaya and Jakarta to spotlight study opportunities at Wittenborg for students interested in pursuing education in the Netherlands.
Enthusiastic response in Surabaya and Jakarta
Hoxha represented Wittenborg at the 15th European Higher Education Fair (EHEF), a premier event showcasing opportunities for students interested in pursuing higher education in Europe. The first event took place on 8 November in Surabaya, followed by the second on 11 to 12 November in Jakarta, both proving notably successful.
"Despite Surabaya being smaller than Jakarta, I encountered numerous students enthusiastic about the prospect of studying abroad, with the Netherlands high on their list," she explained.
Hoxha recounted meeting a prospective student whose brother spoke highly of Wittenborg.
"She was eagerly anticipating a similar experience, having heard many positive stories from her brother."
These narratives encompassed Wittenborg's study programmes and student accommodation.
Hoxha noted that almost all students visiting Wittenborg's booth expressed keen interest in learning more about the university's programmes.
"They were particularly drawn to Wittenborg's Finance or Human Resources programmes. At both locations, students expressed concerns about the language of these programmes, but they were pleasantly surprised to discover that Wittenborg delivers all its programmes in English."
Climbing the Ladder: Wittenborg Graduate Pursuing Successful Career in Hospitality
Siddhartha Majumdar Combining Hard Work and Focus to Achieve his Goals
“It is all about keeping your focus on the right things, avoiding distractions and making sure that every day of your life, whatever you are doing, you are doing it for a reason and not wasting time,” reflects Siddhartha Majumdar, who completed a bachelor’s degree in Sport Business Management last year at Wittenborg.
Currently, Siddhartha is working as the Operations and Administrative manager at the Veluwse Horeca Club, being in charge of three restaurants. In order to get there, he had to undergo a journey that took him from Calcutta, India, to the Netherlands, and required him to work hard to climb every step of his career to the present moment.
The alumnus explains that when he was in India, he intended to study sports, but because Indian programmes in this field are not recognised worldwide, he decided to move abroad. Wittenborg stood out to him because, in addition to being in the Netherlands, a country that is open to different cultures, the way the programme was structured matched his goals, and the tuition fees were within his family’s budget.
At 18 years old, moving across the world on his own to pursue his studies was the beginning of a completely new experience for Siddhartha.
Wittenborg Launches New Website for Enhanced User Experience
Wittenborg Introduces Comprehensive Website Overhaul for Enhanced User Experience
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-launches-new-website-enhanced-user-experience.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has unveiled its revamped website, ushering in a new era of online exploration. This fresh digital landscape offers a visually stunning and incredibly user-friendly experience. Denis Schuh, Wittenborg's IT Specialist & Web Designer, shared insights into the development of the new website, which was launched at the end of October.
Enhanced user experience
The website redesign is both visually striking and highly functional. The team behind the scenes focused on streamlining the design while maintaining valuable information.
"We've updated the design to meet current internet preferences, making it more comfortable and faster for visitors to find what they need," Schuh explained.
The changes extend to various sections of the website, including the front page, news, events, web forms and programmes.
Global People Lunch & Talk: Mariam Talhaoui's Inspiring Entrepreneurial Journey
Mariam Talhaoui's Journey Establishing Thriving Daycare in Almere
On 14 November, at Wittenborg's Amsterdam study location, Mariam Talhaoui, founder of Second Home Kinderopvang, captivated students and staff with her journey from a small daycare to a thriving business.
Wittenborg Senior Lecturer, Amy Abdou, introduced Talhaoui as a prominent figure in the local entrepreneurial landscape, celebrated for her achievements in childcare, notably as the winner in the Entrepreneur category at the Global People Awards 2022. Talhaoui returned for the 18th edition of the awards in November 2023, this time as a jury member.
Seizing opportunities in the Netherlands
Born and raised in the Netherlands after her parents emigrated from Morocco in 1974, Talhaoui's story is a testament to hard work, dedication and the seizing of opportunities.
Wittenborg Expands Network at ICEF Berlin
School’s Representatives Participate in Panel and Meet with More than 70 Student Agents
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-celebrates-academic-excellence-oral-defence-day.htm
From 5 to 7 November, Wittenborg participated in ICEF Berlin, one of the most important B2B networking conferences for the international education sector. This year’s edition of the event was the largest since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, attended by over 2,600 participants affiliated with 1,635 organisations from 110 countries. This represents a 6% increase from ICEF Berlin 2022’s combined onsite and online numbers as well as a 19% increase from last year’s conference onsite-only attendance.
During the event, Wittenborg was represented by its president, Peter Birdsall, as well as Admissions Manager Mykhailo Huba and Admissions Administrator Amin Nadervandi.
Huba and Nadervandi were responsible for networking with student agents and connected with over 70 professionals over the course of the conference. Birdsall’s activities included participating in a panel session alongside two other education experts: International Recruitment Manager Tom Whittaker from the University of Central Lancashire and Portfolio Director of Languages Liam Vint from LanguageCert.
Organised by LanguageCert, the session centred on three areas: the Importance of English Language Testing for International Students; the Important Role Scholarships Play in Student Recruitment and Diversification; and Employability and the Role Universities and Colleges Can Play.
Capgemini Innovation Day: A 'Must-Attend' Event Says Wittenborg CEO
Capgemini Innovation Day: Focusing on Generative AI
https://www.wittenborg.eu/capgemini-innovation-day-must-attend-event-says-wittenborg-ceo.htm
Maggie Feng, CEO of Wittenborg, enthusiastically shared her thoughts on the fifth annual Capgemini Innovation Day, labelling it a "must-attend event" in her schedule.
On 27 October, the city of Utrecht hosted the much-anticipated Innovation Day by the renowned information technology services and consulting company, putting a significant spotlight on the future. With an engaging programme that featured keynote speakers and an array of breakout sessions and workshops, this year's Innovation Day offered a unique opportunity to delve into the latest developments in innovation and sustainability.
Feng highlighted the impressive line-up of speakers, including Peter Hinssen, Robert H.P. Engels and Cara Antoine, the first female Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Capgemini.
Engels, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of AI (Artificial Intelligence) at Capgemini, echoed Feng's sentiments on LinkedIn, emphasising that the event prompted participants to critically assess their approach to technology. Engels posed the question: "New technology is here, but are we giving it the attention it deserves?" In a captivating demonstration of Generative AI's capabilities, he augmented an amputated guitar—compensating for missing strings—underscoring the transformative potential of this technology.
Broadening Horizons: Wittenborg Goes to Pakistan
Michael Sheppard and Rauf Abdul Having Productive Discussions with Student Agencies and Universities
https://www.wittenborg.eu/broadening-horizons-wittenborg-goes-pakistan.htm
With the goal of discussing partnerships, networking and promoting Wittenborg, Recruitment & Sales Representative Michael Sheppard and Head of the School of Business Rauf Abdul were in Pakistan from 23 October to 3 November.
In addition to meeting with student agencies, the two representatives visited three prestigious Pakistani higher education institutions, having the opportunity to meet their deans. In Lahore, Sheppard and Abdul went to the University of the Punjab’s Hailey College of Banking and Finance and to Suleman Dawood Business School at the Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS), which is the first and currently only AACSB-accredited institute in Pakistan. And, in Islamabad, they visited Bahria University, a 20,000-student institution which is currently seeking AACSB accreditation.
During the visits to student agencies, the discussions centred on the needs of Pakistani students, the countries where they would like to study and the main aspects of life in the Netherlands, as well as Wittenborg and its courses. The response was very positive, and while Abdul and Sheppard met with some agencies that already collaborate with Wittenborg, they also visited new organisations to broaden the school’s horizons in Pakistan.
Wittenborg Celebrates Academic Excellence on Oral Defence Day
Rising to the Challenge of Oral Defence Day
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-celebrates-academic-excellence-oral-defence-day.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences recently held its 'Oral Defence Day'. On 12 and 13 October, students from Apeldoorn, Amsterdam and Munich presented their Work Placement and GA/FP (Graduation Assignment and Final Project) oral defences in front of their academic supervisors, a second marker as well as a panel member.
At Wittenborg, bachelor's students are required to complete an internship or ('work placement'), followed by the submission of a Work Evaluation Report (WER) and a subsequent oral defence known as the 'Work Placement Oral Defence'. This oral defence takes place every Thursday during the last week of each academic block. Additionally, both bachelor's and master's students defend their theses, known as the GA/FP Oral Defence.
In her role as Education Support Administrator & GEB Secretary, Hanna Abdelwahab prepares the Oral Defence schedule, which has become an essential part of Wittenborg's academic calendar.
"This year, students from various specialisations presented research projects that range from ethics, leadership and employee skills to marketing and brand image."
According to Abdelwahab, it is interesting to note that there has been a surge in research topics related to technology (44%) such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Chatbots, Block-chain Technology, e-HRM and E-Inventory, as well as topics related to sustainability and green marketing, to name a few.
"The day underscored the importance of research of current topics and the quality of up-to-date education at Wittenborg."