First Virtual ICEF Berlin Conference in 25 Years Impresses with Efficiency
First Virtual ICEF Berlin Conference in 25 Years Impresses with Efficiency
For the first time in 25 years, ICEF Berlin was held virtually but that did not detract from the annual international education event's quality, participants said. It also meant that this year Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' full recruitment team was able to attend – led by the chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, who made a presentation on the institution as one of the Dutch study providers.
The 3-day event, which started on Monday, is the international education industry's largest networking event, bringing together recruitment agents and education providers, facilitating webinars and offering insights on the industry by experts. According to Lena Vandenbosch, Wittenborg's International Partnership Manager, the team fielded a staggering 72 meetings with potential partners and agents from 36 different countries.
"I loved the way ICEF replicated the Berlin venue virtually with some very nice touches as you enter the online area. Even though I do miss the energy of the face-to-face event, I found it very effective since you can speak to many agents in a short amount of time in a quiet, virtual environment. The meetings were generally very pleasant, and agents were also well prepared. The insights provided by industry experts were also very interesting and ICEF did their best to make everything go as smoothly as possible," Vandenbosch said. On Monday she kicked off with an agent from Tanzania, followed by agents from Russia, Nigeria, the UK, India, Vietnam, Ghana, Kenya, Brazil and many other countries.
Benefits of Publishing Your Master's Thesis
What's Next after Your Thesis?
Publishing their master's thesis is usually not in the minds of many master’s students when they start their degree programmes, except for those who are interested in an academic career. Technically, nobody really bothers about the thesis once he/she steps out of the university, but little did students know that a published work enhances a graduate’s professional credentials. Having a master’s degree is common nowadays, but a published thesis will be your competitive edge over other potential job candidates. You may not be the cream of the crop of your cohort, but your publication will surely be the cherry on top of your master's degree.
Employers are always on the lookout for new employees who are not only hardworking but also have an inclination for academic knowledge and professional development. A published thesis shows that you have got that edge, because to get something published, especially in a credible journal, needs dedication, hard work and a certain level of expertise in a particular topic. Besides that, a published thesis will surely boost your eligibility for a PhD candidacy, should you intend to pursue one.
Another benefit that comes out of a published thesis is that all your hard work will not go to waste. Why keep the results of your efforts hidden when you can put them to good, even valuable use, by sharing with the research community and outside world? First of all, you carry out research on a topic that piqued your interest that many others might have the same interest in too. Your research may help to close some gaps in knowledge in the respective field and it makes other researchers aware that some research has already been done. Your research might even benefit various other members of the public, like article/book authors, business entities or government agencies.
Should 50% Credit Requirement also be Scrapped for International Students?
House Vote in Favour of Minimum European Credits for Dutch Students to Be Binned
https://www.wittenborg.eu/should-50-credit-requirement-also-be-scrapped-international-students.htm
A few days ago, the majority of parties in the Dutch House of Representatives voted in favour of a motion asking the government to scrap the condition that students obtain a minimum number of European Credits (ECs) during their first year or risk being kicked out of their programme. This has prompted Wittenborg's chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, to ask whether international students will also be exempted from this condition should it be passed.
Currently, non-EU students' progress is monitored every year and they have to obtain at least 50% of the required credits for each academic year. If their progress is not sufficient, the institution must report this to the IND – the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service – which might lead to students losing their residence permit. Birdsall said he will write to the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education to look into the matter should it come to that.
Full-time Dutch first years must obtain at least 45 ECs and part-timers 30 ECs. If they fail to do so, they might get a so-called negative binding recommendation (BSA), which means they will be banned for 4 years from continuing their studies at their particular institution.
Wittenborg CEO Asks HE Institutions to Commit for at Least 10 Years to Diversity Plan
Nine Amsterdam HE Institutions Who Signed Diversity Plan Start Mapping out Strategy during First Online Meeting
The nine Amsterdam institutions of higher education who pledged their commitment to diversity and equality last month by signing an accord, started mapping out a plan towards realising their goals during their first meeting on Friday. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, represented by CEO Maggie Feng, is one of the 9 and is very proud of the diversity that already exists at Wittenborg.
"We don't want it to be just a paper plan and I have proposed a condition that institutions commit to at least 10 years, irrespective of institutional and political changes," Feng said. With the Education Agreement, the institutions seek to commit themselves to concrete, measurable goals to fight the lack of equal opportunities and prioritise representativity and inclusion. The representatives will meet every 3 weeks to plan and review.
With the agreement the institutions commit to seeking concrete, measurable goals to fight the lack of equal opportunity and prioritise representativity and inclusion.
The 5 goals of the agreement are:
Using the Natural Rhythms of a City to Make You Safer Using the Natural Rhythms of a City to Make You Safer
MBA Students at Wittenborg Amsterdam Get Insight on Unique Research Model Involving Students and Officials from 6 Cities
https://www.wittenborg.eu/using-natural-rhythms-city-make-you-safer.htm
MBA students at Wittenborg Amsterdam were recently treated to a seminar by Prof. Caroline Nevejan, chief science officer of the City of Amsterdam, who came to talk about City Rhythm - a project initiated by her where city dwellers' daily rituals are observed and the data then used to enhance social security. "Rhythms in a city are very important – people often let their dogs out at the same time, bring their children to school at the same time, sit in the same bus every day or do their shopping at the same intervals. This creates a certain cohesion, and I wanted to do something with that. Which is why I presented my ideas to local governments and they agreed that this rhythm can be used to enhance security," Nevejan told VNG Magazine.
What made the project special was that officials, students, researchers and artists from 6 different cities worked on it as a new model to formulate local government policies. The participating cities are Amsterdam, Helmond, The Hague, Rotterdam, Zaanstad and Zoetermeer.
Nevejan came to speak with Wittenborg students about the methodology that was designed and employed to make the study work. Senior lecturer and Education Administrator at Wittenborg Amsterdam, Dr Dadi Chen, said the seminar gave a lot of inspiration to students about how social research questions can be approached from different perspectives.
Wittenborg CEO Speaks at Event Commemorating 75 Years of United Nations
Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng promotes Wittenborg's pillars of internationalisation, diversity and ethics at UN anniversary
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-ceo-speaks-event-commemorating-75-years-united-nations.htm
Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng was invited this month to join an online event marking 75 years of the United Nations (UN). The event highlighted 75 years of peace and freedom as well as the sustainable development goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda. Fellow speakers included the mayor of Apeldoorn, Ton Heerts, and other dignitaries, including Director International Organizations & Human Rights of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gerard Steeghs and Climate Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Marcel Beukeboom.
Feng showcased the actions Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has taken the past few years to make the world more connected via its international classrooms. Wittenborg is one of the most international institutions of higher education in the Netherlands.
Recruitment Expert Shares Insight on How to Be Job-Ready with Wittenborg Students
Studying Abroad Ups your Chances of Finding a Job
https://www.wittenborg.eu/recruitment-expert-shares-insight-how-be-job-ready-wittenborg-students.htm
Students who study abroad have a better chance of finding a job. This is according to Dutch recruitment expert Olfertjan Niemeijer, who recently delivered an online seminar to bachelor's students at Wittenborg Amsterdam. Niemeijer has almost 30 years of experience in the recruitment business and is the founder of Independent Recruiters. It counts local and global brands like ING, Rabobank, ABN Amro, AON, Western Digital, Novell, Xerox, ECCO and KPN among its clients.
"If you can manage your study well in a foreign country, you can also do well in an international company," Niemeijer told students while answering their questions on how international business students can develop their careers in a totally different culture like the Netherlands or other European countries.
"If you can manage your study well in a foreign country, you can also do well in an international company," Niemeijer told students while answering their questions on how international business students can develop their careers in a totally different culture like the Netherlands or other European countries.
In a recent webinar to Wittenborg students in Apeldoorn, Niemeijer also gave students some insider information on what Dutch employers tend to look for. Most important among these is work experience, he said. More to the point, he advised students to highlight those experiences that are most relevant to the vacancy they are applying for
Dutch Universities to Answer Allegations of Fast-Tracking Students before 1 November
Dutch Universities to Answer Allegations of Fast-Tracking Students before 1 November
Public universities who are allegedly admitting international students with sub-standard qualifications will have to answer for their actions before the end of the month. This follows months of pressure from Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences on the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, which was eventually also picked up by MPs in parliament. Many of these students are from China and Russia. WUAS first brought the issue to the Minister's attention in May 2018, and formally complained in May 2019.
"Tricks'' to Get around Aliens Act
The minister, Ingrid van Engelshoven, said universities who allegedly use "tricks" to get around the Aliens Act – including the University of Amsterdam – go against the "spirit of the law". Umbrella bodies like the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Dutch Council for Private Universities (NRTO) and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH) have been requested to respond to the allegations before 1 November.
Van Engelshoven answered written questions submitted by two MPs from the CDA. After 1 November she will consult with the university bodies and the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education about the next steps. She also acknowledged having received numerous letters from Wittenborg about the matter.
Wittenborg MBA Graduate's Master's Thesis Published in Journal
Publication of Thesis Milestone for Ismayilova
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-mba-graduates-masters-thesis-published-journal.htm
Although the ultimate objective of a student’s postgraduate programme is to receive a master’s degree or a PhD, getting the final thesis published in a journal significantly adds to the accomplishment. No easy feat for any student, for Wittenborg MBA graduate Aydan Ismayilova, getting her thesis published in a scholarly journal was a big milestone.
Ismayilova, from Baku, Azerbaijan, came to the Netherlands in 2018. After building a successful event management career in her home country, she realised that to further her professional aspirations and personal growth she needed international experience to go hand in hand with theoretical knowledge. This was what she found in Wittenborg’s MBA – General Management programme. After graduating in January, she did some freelance consulting jobs before establishing her own company providing consultancy services in event project management.
Primary tabs View(active tab) Edit Delete facebook twitter email print Navigating Cultural Diversity at Work Conflict Resolution Expert Adrian Borggreve Lectures Wittenborg Students Increased cultural diversity in companie
Conflict Resolution Expert Adrian Borggreve Lectures Wittenborg Students
https://www.wittenborg.eu/navigating-cultural-diversity-work.htm
Increased cultural diversity in companies calls for the ability to work productively with people from different backgrounds – which is why business students at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences recently got a masterclass from Dutch conflict resolution expert Prof. Adrian Borggreve who has decades of experience under his belt – which includes training the Lithuanian parliament in negotiation skills.
Borggreve delivered a guest lecture earlier this month under the theme: "Disputes and Conflicts in a Cross-Cultural Business Context", part of the Intercultural Management module for undergraduates. It was well-received by Wittenborg's diverse body of international students who recognised many of the challenges they sometimes face in an intercultural setting and the lessons they have learned.
Borggreve stressed the importance of cultural intelligence for effective negotiation in a business setting. "Why? Because managers cannot expect to negotiate only with people of their own country or culture throughout their career. Negotiations between people of different cultures often stir up deeply held values and beliefs. Behaviours that seem normative in our culture often create controversy in others."
He cautioned students about being sensitive to what other cultures deem appropriate or not appropriate behaviour and what they value. "Be prepared to manage bureaucratic interactions with governments, avoid arguing the inherent legitimacy of a social system, understand the norms and the meaning underlying them," Borggreve explained.
First Virtual ICEF Berlin Conference in 25 Years Impresses with Efficiency
First Virtual ICEF Berlin Conference in 25 Years Impresses with Efficiency
For the first time in 25 years, ICEF Berlin was held virtually but that did not detract from the annual international education event's quality, participants said. It also meant that this year Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' full recruitment team was able to attend – led by the chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, who made a presentation on the institution as one of the Dutch study providers.
The 3-day event, which started on Monday, is the international education industry's largest networking event, bringing together recruitment agents and education providers, facilitating webinars and offering insights on the industry by experts. According to Lena Vandenbosch, Wittenborg's International Partnership Manager, the team fielded a staggering 72 meetings with potential partners and agents from 36 different countries.
"I loved the way ICEF replicated the Berlin venue virtually with some very nice touches as you enter the online area. Even though I do miss the energy of the face-to-face event, I found it very effective since you can speak to many agents in a short amount of time in a quiet, virtual environment. The meetings were generally very pleasant, and agents were also well prepared. The insights provided by industry experts were also very interesting and ICEF did their best to make everything go as smoothly as possible," Vandenbosch said. On Monday she kicked off with an agent from Tanzania, followed by agents from Russia, Nigeria, the UK, India, Vietnam, Ghana, Kenya, Brazil and many other countries.
Benefits of Publishing Your Master's Thesis
What's Next after Your Thesis?
Publishing their master's thesis is usually not in the minds of many master’s students when they start their degree programmes, except for those who are interested in an academic career. Technically, nobody really bothers about the thesis once he/she steps out of the university, but little did students know that a published work enhances a graduate’s professional credentials. Having a master’s degree is common nowadays, but a published thesis will be your competitive edge over other potential job candidates. You may not be the cream of the crop of your cohort, but your publication will surely be the cherry on top of your master's degree.
Employers are always on the lookout for new employees who are not only hardworking but also have an inclination for academic knowledge and professional development. A published thesis shows that you have got that edge, because to get something published, especially in a credible journal, needs dedication, hard work and a certain level of expertise in a particular topic. Besides that, a published thesis will surely boost your eligibility for a PhD candidacy, should you intend to pursue one.
Another benefit that comes out of a published thesis is that all your hard work will not go to waste. Why keep the results of your efforts hidden when you can put them to good, even valuable use, by sharing with the research community and outside world? First of all, you carry out research on a topic that piqued your interest that many others might have the same interest in too. Your research may help to close some gaps in knowledge in the respective field and it makes other researchers aware that some research has already been done. Your research might even benefit various other members of the public, like article/book authors, business entities or government agencies.
Should 50% Credit Requirement also be Scrapped for International Students?
House Vote in Favour of Minimum European Credits for Dutch Students to Be Binned
https://www.wittenborg.eu/should-50-credit-requirement-also-be-scrapped-international-students.htm
A few days ago, the majority of parties in the Dutch House of Representatives voted in favour of a motion asking the government to scrap the condition that students obtain a minimum number of European Credits (ECs) during their first year or risk being kicked out of their programme. This has prompted Wittenborg's chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, to ask whether international students will also be exempted from this condition should it be passed.
Currently, non-EU students' progress is monitored every year and they have to obtain at least 50% of the required credits for each academic year. If their progress is not sufficient, the institution must report this to the IND – the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service – which might lead to students losing their residence permit. Birdsall said he will write to the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education to look into the matter should it come to that.
Full-time Dutch first years must obtain at least 45 ECs and part-timers 30 ECs. If they fail to do so, they might get a so-called negative binding recommendation (BSA), which means they will be banned for 4 years from continuing their studies at their particular institution.
Wittenborg CEO Asks HE Institutions to Commit for at Least 10 Years to Diversity Plan
Nine Amsterdam HE Institutions Who Signed Diversity Plan Start Mapping out Strategy during First Online Meeting
The nine Amsterdam institutions of higher education who pledged their commitment to diversity and equality last month by signing an accord, started mapping out a plan towards realising their goals during their first meeting on Friday. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, represented by CEO Maggie Feng, is one of the 9 and is very proud of the diversity that already exists at Wittenborg.
"We don't want it to be just a paper plan and I have proposed a condition that institutions commit to at least 10 years, irrespective of institutional and political changes," Feng said. With the Education Agreement, the institutions seek to commit themselves to concrete, measurable goals to fight the lack of equal opportunities and prioritise representativity and inclusion. The representatives will meet every 3 weeks to plan and review.
With the agreement the institutions commit to seeking concrete, measurable goals to fight the lack of equal opportunity and prioritise representativity and inclusion.
The 5 goals of the agreement are:
Using the Natural Rhythms of a City to Make You Safer Using the Natural Rhythms of a City to Make You Safer
MBA Students at Wittenborg Amsterdam Get Insight on Unique Research Model Involving Students and Officials from 6 Cities
https://www.wittenborg.eu/using-natural-rhythms-city-make-you-safer.htm
MBA students at Wittenborg Amsterdam were recently treated to a seminar by Prof. Caroline Nevejan, chief science officer of the City of Amsterdam, who came to talk about City Rhythm - a project initiated by her where city dwellers' daily rituals are observed and the data then used to enhance social security. "Rhythms in a city are very important – people often let their dogs out at the same time, bring their children to school at the same time, sit in the same bus every day or do their shopping at the same intervals. This creates a certain cohesion, and I wanted to do something with that. Which is why I presented my ideas to local governments and they agreed that this rhythm can be used to enhance security," Nevejan told VNG Magazine.
What made the project special was that officials, students, researchers and artists from 6 different cities worked on it as a new model to formulate local government policies. The participating cities are Amsterdam, Helmond, The Hague, Rotterdam, Zaanstad and Zoetermeer.
Nevejan came to speak with Wittenborg students about the methodology that was designed and employed to make the study work. Senior lecturer and Education Administrator at Wittenborg Amsterdam, Dr Dadi Chen, said the seminar gave a lot of inspiration to students about how social research questions can be approached from different perspectives.
Wittenborg CEO Speaks at Event Commemorating 75 Years of United Nations
Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng promotes Wittenborg's pillars of internationalisation, diversity and ethics at UN anniversary
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-ceo-speaks-event-commemorating-75-years-united-nations.htm
Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng was invited this month to join an online event marking 75 years of the United Nations (UN). The event highlighted 75 years of peace and freedom as well as the sustainable development goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda. Fellow speakers included the mayor of Apeldoorn, Ton Heerts, and other dignitaries, including Director International Organizations & Human Rights of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gerard Steeghs and Climate Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Marcel Beukeboom.
Feng showcased the actions Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has taken the past few years to make the world more connected via its international classrooms. Wittenborg is one of the most international institutions of higher education in the Netherlands.
Recruitment Expert Shares Insight on How to Be Job-Ready with Wittenborg Students
Studying Abroad Ups your Chances of Finding a Job
https://www.wittenborg.eu/recruitment-expert-shares-insight-how-be-job-ready-wittenborg-students.htm
Students who study abroad have a better chance of finding a job. This is according to Dutch recruitment expert Olfertjan Niemeijer, who recently delivered an online seminar to bachelor's students at Wittenborg Amsterdam. Niemeijer has almost 30 years of experience in the recruitment business and is the founder of Independent Recruiters. It counts local and global brands like ING, Rabobank, ABN Amro, AON, Western Digital, Novell, Xerox, ECCO and KPN among its clients.
"If you can manage your study well in a foreign country, you can also do well in an international company," Niemeijer told students while answering their questions on how international business students can develop their careers in a totally different culture like the Netherlands or other European countries.
"If you can manage your study well in a foreign country, you can also do well in an international company," Niemeijer told students while answering their questions on how international business students can develop their careers in a totally different culture like the Netherlands or other European countries.
In a recent webinar to Wittenborg students in Apeldoorn, Niemeijer also gave students some insider information on what Dutch employers tend to look for. Most important among these is work experience, he said. More to the point, he advised students to highlight those experiences that are most relevant to the vacancy they are applying for
Dutch Universities to Answer Allegations of Fast-Tracking Students before 1 November
Dutch Universities to Answer Allegations of Fast-Tracking Students before 1 November
Public universities who are allegedly admitting international students with sub-standard qualifications will have to answer for their actions before the end of the month. This follows months of pressure from Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences on the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, which was eventually also picked up by MPs in parliament. Many of these students are from China and Russia. WUAS first brought the issue to the Minister's attention in May 2018, and formally complained in May 2019.
"Tricks'' to Get around Aliens Act
The minister, Ingrid van Engelshoven, said universities who allegedly use "tricks" to get around the Aliens Act – including the University of Amsterdam – go against the "spirit of the law". Umbrella bodies like the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Dutch Council for Private Universities (NRTO) and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH) have been requested to respond to the allegations before 1 November.
Van Engelshoven answered written questions submitted by two MPs from the CDA. After 1 November she will consult with the university bodies and the National Commission for the Code of Conduct for International Students in Dutch Higher Education about the next steps. She also acknowledged having received numerous letters from Wittenborg about the matter.
Wittenborg MBA Graduate's Master's Thesis Published in Journal
Publication of Thesis Milestone for Ismayilova
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-mba-graduates-masters-thesis-published-journal.htm
Although the ultimate objective of a student’s postgraduate programme is to receive a master’s degree or a PhD, getting the final thesis published in a journal significantly adds to the accomplishment. No easy feat for any student, for Wittenborg MBA graduate Aydan Ismayilova, getting her thesis published in a scholarly journal was a big milestone.
Ismayilova, from Baku, Azerbaijan, came to the Netherlands in 2018. After building a successful event management career in her home country, she realised that to further her professional aspirations and personal growth she needed international experience to go hand in hand with theoretical knowledge. This was what she found in Wittenborg’s MBA – General Management programme. After graduating in January, she did some freelance consulting jobs before establishing her own company providing consultancy services in event project management.
Primary tabs View(active tab) Edit Delete facebook twitter email print Navigating Cultural Diversity at Work Conflict Resolution Expert Adrian Borggreve Lectures Wittenborg Students Increased cultural diversity in companie
Conflict Resolution Expert Adrian Borggreve Lectures Wittenborg Students
https://www.wittenborg.eu/navigating-cultural-diversity-work.htm
Increased cultural diversity in companies calls for the ability to work productively with people from different backgrounds – which is why business students at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences recently got a masterclass from Dutch conflict resolution expert Prof. Adrian Borggreve who has decades of experience under his belt – which includes training the Lithuanian parliament in negotiation skills.
Borggreve delivered a guest lecture earlier this month under the theme: "Disputes and Conflicts in a Cross-Cultural Business Context", part of the Intercultural Management module for undergraduates. It was well-received by Wittenborg's diverse body of international students who recognised many of the challenges they sometimes face in an intercultural setting and the lessons they have learned.
Borggreve stressed the importance of cultural intelligence for effective negotiation in a business setting. "Why? Because managers cannot expect to negotiate only with people of their own country or culture throughout their career. Negotiations between people of different cultures often stir up deeply held values and beliefs. Behaviours that seem normative in our culture often create controversy in others."
He cautioned students about being sensitive to what other cultures deem appropriate or not appropriate behaviour and what they value. "Be prepared to manage bureaucratic interactions with governments, avoid arguing the inherent legitimacy of a social system, understand the norms and the meaning underlying them," Borggreve explained.