Wittenborg celebrated New Year together with its Partners in Germany and Austria

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-celebrated-new-year-together-its-partners-germany-and-austria.htm

During January, Wittenborg celebrated the start of 2020 with its education partners in Munich, Germany and Bad Voslau, Austria. WUAS’ staff met with students and teachers at both locations and held discussions with management about the collaboration and plans for developing the partnerships in 2020.
 

In Munich, WUAS hosted a special dinner for its teaching and support staff at the Wittenborg - New European College (NEC) campus, while in Bad Vöslau, at International Tourism Management (ITM) College, a New Year reception and dinner was held at which the new partnership with Wittenborg was launched.

Wittenborg-NEC campus

At the Wittenborg-NEC campus in Munich, director Peter Birdsall was joined by Wittenborg’s TNE* partnership manager, Myra Qui in Munich, where they met WUAS students and WUAS staff at the Wittenborg-NEC campus before a New Year dinner for teachers and administrators of NEC.

An agreement between Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences and the New European College (NEC) in Germany means students can now also study Wittenborg's programmes in Munich, currently under the so-called '75-25% rule', according to Dutch Law; however, Wittenborg is currently in the formal process of TNE Validation, which is carried out by the Netherlands Ministry of Education and is expected to be completed before the summer.

Two Wittenborg Students in Wuhan to Stay in China for Now

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has sent out an email to all its Chinese students to get an accurate idea of their current situation in relation to the new coronavirus - including two students who recently travelled to Wuhan, the city where the virus originated, Wittenborg's chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, told the Dutch press.

Universities and schools around the world are trying to make plans in the face of new or returning Chinese students. The next round of new students at Wittenborg will start classes in two weeks, on 10 February. Dutch daily, De Stentor, interviewed representatives at several institutions of higher education in the Apeldoorn region with Chinese students or students studying in China.

Birdsall told the paper Wittenborg has about 100 Chinese students, which represent 10% of its total student population. He said the two students who are in Wuhan will not be returning to school for now. We have been in contact with them and they are well. "They are with family members and in good health."

Survey Among Wittenborg Students on Climate Change Mirrors Results of that by Amnesty International

https://www.wittenborg.eu/climate-change-most-pressing-issue-youth.htm

Climate change was ranked as the most vital issue facing the world, results of a survey published by Amnesty International has found.  More than 10,000 people aged 18 to 25 years - also known as Generation Z - were surveyed. Amnesty International has warned that world leaders' failure to address the climate change crisis has left them out of step with young people.

The results mirror those of a survey done among 170 international students at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences last month during a Model United Nations assembly which focused on ethics in business, politics and governance. When asked what they thought were the biggest challenges for their generation, students listed "climate change" as the top challenge - followed by the ability to maintain global peace, international financial crime, racism, drugs and corporate power.

Most students also do not seem to have a high opinion of their own country's commitment to fight corruption. On average, students ranked their own countries very highly (7.29 out of 10) for their level of corruption.

Last year, young people across the world mobilised in huge numbers for the climate - including the Netherlands - with 17-year old Swede Greta Thunberg as the face of the surge.

Wittenborg Chair Shares View that International Graduates Need to Speak Dutch if They Wish to Stay in the Netherlands Long-Term

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-committed-increasing-students-employability-prospects.htm

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences reiterated its commitment to increasing its students' employability and, in the case of international students wishing to work in the Netherlands, that must include raising their Dutch language abilities, according to the chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall. To this end the institution, which already offers Dutch as one of its language modules, has increased its Dutch Intensive Courses, which Birdsall says definitely makes a difference.

The question of what it means to be "Dutch" and the place of immigrants (or descendants of immigrants) in Dutch society continues to be hotly debated in the Netherlands. Many feel that although they are "ticking all the boxes" to integrate, the unspoken expectation is that they assimilate - in other words, conforming entirely to the existing cultural norms of Dutch society, instead of enhancing it. The issue was extensively explored this week in a documentary Terug na de Akbarstraat, which was broadcast by the public broadcaster on NPO2.

Students Travelling to China for New Year Taking "Precautions" to Protect Against Corona Virus

https://www.wittenborg.eu/chinese-students-wittenborg-not-panicking-about-corona-virus.htm

Chinese students at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences who plan to travel home this week to celebrate the Chinese New Year with their families say they will not cancel their plans because of a new Corona virus, but will take precautions. Wittenborg was told of at least two students from Wuhan - the city where the virus was first detected in December - who planned to fly home on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, Dutch health authorities at the time of writing, did not see any reason yet to erect a quarantine zone at Schiphol airport due to the outbreak of the virus. The Dutch public health institute RIVM, in its advice on traveling to China, said no additional measures are needed at this stage, taking its cue from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

RIVM already advises travellers against visiting markets in the country with live animals, and to adhere to general hygiene measures. General hygiene includes things like washing your hands regularly, showering, keeping your home clean - especially areas where you prepare food, and washing up after being in contact with animals and livestock, among other things. 

The Coronavirus is a brand new virus that broke out first in the Wuhan province of China. It is related to the SARS virus, which caused worldwide panic a few years ago. So far, nine people are reported to have died of the Coronavirus, and some 440 people are infected in 13 provinces of China. Infections were also reported in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Humility in a Time of Arrogance

https://www.wittenborg.eu/opinion-humility-breeds-humanity.htm

Arrogant leaders seem to be all around us - from politics to business - the idea that you are so great already, that you can't improve. Humility, on the other hand, is the embodiment of modesty, respectfulness and honour.  It is the opposite of pride and arrogance.  Humility does not mean degradation of one’s status or dignity; in fact, it is the very opposite of that.  A person who observes humility abandons all selfishness and egotism and stands humble, altruistic and agreeable.

Humility is when a person does not see himself or herself as being better or above other people for frivolous reasons, such as the colour of the skin, race, social standing, education, nationality or wealth.

To some people, humility is unheard of, as it symbolises weakness and submissiveness. These kinds of people are proud of their absolute independence and power and would humble themselves to no one or no authority.  They believe they have limitless power and refuse to bow down, which, according to them, is disgraceful and it humiliates their personal dignity.  Indeed, human impropriety, rudeness, feeling of superiority and elevated self-esteem are around us everywhere, and what is so sad is that those who have these traits do not know it or refuse to acknowledge it.

Meeting up in Vietnam with Alumni  from the Saxion Class of '99 , and a Wittenborg graduate from 13 years back.

https://www.wittenborg.eu/meeting-alumni-vietnam.htm

During the Christmas and New year break, WUAS directors Peter Birdsall and Maggie Feng met up with a group of Alumni in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was a special group, as they came from the so-called 'Class of '99' - the first international class at the faculty of economics of Hogeschool Ijselland (now Saxion University of Applied Sciences) in Deventer, and were joined by Wittenborg alumnus Tracy Choé, who graduated 13 years ago.

The graduates from Deventer, had studied final year bachelors programmes at the Hogeschool Ijselland, and the master's programmes that were running at the time in partnership with the University of Greenwich. Birdsall, who at the time was director of the international office then, remembers the class of '99 as the first fully international group of students 'we had around 140 students from over 40 different countries at the time - it was very exciting'.

During the evening, the group looked back on their experiences 20 years ago, and remembered stories of the students, and teachers at the time, but especially the 'Study in Holland' experience which was quite unique in those days. The group plans to help organise a 25th anniversary in the Netherlands in 2024.

WUP 19/1/2020
by James Wittenborg
©Wittenborg University Press

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Wittenborg University Alumni
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Most International Students Funded by Family - Survey

https://www.wittenborg.eu/alumni-most-reliable-source-info-international-students.htm

Alumni are the most reliable source of information for prospective international students wanting to study in Europe and the UK, results from a new survey has shown. This relates to accuracy of life as a student in these countries, but also about job opportunities.

The ISEOS 2020 report was published by Cturtle. Between June and September 2019, a total of 16,830 responses were collected.  

The survey also revealed that most students funded their study abroad through family support - 62% of undergraduates and 43% of postgraduate students. The most popular field of study is management and commerce for postgraduates (33%) and finance and accounting for undergraduates (20%).   

The strongest factor when it comes to choosing a university for both undergraduate (57%) and postgraduate (52%) students is ranking, followed closely by location. Most choose to study abroad in order to improve their career opportunities. Many also view it as an opportunity to "live abroad".  

The survey also revealed that most international students are satisfied with their choice to study in a different country. A total of 93% of participants who studied in the Netherlands indicated that they had a positive international experience there, while 75% deemed it a good return on their investment.  

WUP 17/1/2020
by James Wittenborg
©Wittenborg University Press

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Alumni
international students

Imagining the Future of Hospitality in 2030

https://www.wittenborg.eu/imagining-future-hospitality-2030.htm

What will the hospitality industry look like in 2030? This was the question HBA Hospitality Management students at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences had to explore, then present their findings by way of a poster presentation. Hospitality Business Administration (HBA) is a double-degree programme offered jointly with the University of Brighton in the UK. 

The poster presentation is considered an alternative way of presenting research in lieu of the traditional oral or paper presentation - a snapshot if you will - which in this case was favoured by Brighton.

Students, divided in two groups, were tasked with developing an innovative concept which they imagine will be pertinent and relevant by 2030 and give them the edge over competitors.  One group proposed that by using augmented reality guests will in the future be able to experience hotel rooms and tourist attractions before booking them by way of special glasses. "With the virtual reality feature of the glasses, a guest will not just be able to do a booking, but actually see the hotel room in advance. Guests will know exactly what they are getting, leading to greater satisfaction. With visiting tourist attractions, the glasses will enable another layer of information, such as reviews, crowd level or by suggesting landmarks wherever the tourist is and providing historical context."

More than 100 staff members of Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences gathered at a glittering event on Friday to ring in the new year during the Annual Staff Dinner with their partners. 

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-looks-back-decade-many-milestones-during-annual-staff-dinner.htm

This year was significant as it marked the end of a decade, affording the opportunity to look back at the rapid progress the institution has made the past 10 years, starting with the move from Deventer to Apeldoorn in 2010 with just under 200 students. It now boasts more than 1,000, with 110 nationalities and a presence in 4 European cities - Apeldoorn, Amsterdam, Munich and Austria - with partnerships in many other countries like the UK, Australia and China.

Witteborg’s chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, ran dinner guests through some of the highlights of the second decade of the new millennium. This included Wittenborg celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2017, while continually rising in student and staff members. It also concentrated on gaining recognition and professionalising through various accreditation processes.

Birdsall said the next decade will see more development and societal impact. 

He also paused to pay tribute to members of staff and students who had passed away during the past decade, including its Academic Dean, Dr Jacques Kaat. And at the same time, Birdsall delighted guests with a collage of “newcomers” - babies born to members of staff at a rapid pace over the past few years.

The dinner was held at the 4-star Bilderberg Hotel de Keizerskroon in Apeldoorn where guests dined in splendour on a delicious 3-course meal.   

WUP 13/1/2020
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press