Our New MSc and HBA Students are Here!
New Group Represents 14 Different Countries
https://www.wittenborg.eu/our-new-msc-and-hba-students-are-here.htm
Event management is proving the most popular programme among new MSc students, who will start their classes at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences on Monday, following an intense few days of Introduction Week activities, together with the new intake of HBA (Hospitality Business Administration) students.
ore than half of them will do a Master in International Event Management. All Wittenborg's Master in International Management (MSc) programmes as well as the HBA double degree programme are offered jointly with the University of Brighton. Together, the two groups represent 14 different countries - Germany, Nigeria, Vietnam, Luxembourg, Turkey, Spain, India, the Netherlands, China, Austria, India, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Italy and Ukraine.
The Introduction Week programme was designed to give students the necessary information and tools to get a good start at Wittenborg, and to learn about the policies and procedures, as well as the online and offline resources at Brighton.
Top Lecturers
Representing Brighton was Dr Michael Williams, Brighton's partner liaison tutor. Williams teaches across the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in event management at the university’s Eastbourne campus and at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, one of the school’s partner institutions.
Wittenborg in Moscow to celebrate 10 years of Nuffic Neso Russia
Wittenborg spent the day in Moscow to celebrate 10 years of Nuffic Neso Russia, and strengthen ties with Russian partners.
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-moscow-celebrate-10-years-nuffic-neso-russia.htm
Wittenborg helps Neso Russia celebrate its 10th anniversary in Moscow, whilst strengthening ties with its partners in Moscow.
Yesterday saw around 15 Dutch research and applied science universities join the Nuffic in Moscow to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Netherlands Education Support Office (Neso) in Moscow.
RANEPA
Wittenborg's President Peter Birdsall was joined in Moscow by its Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Dr Ron Tuninga and International Partnerships Manager, Lena Vandenbosch, and before the Nuffic event the team already made good partnership relations with the MBA programme at RANEPA (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration), a triple crown accredited university.
Nuffic at the Financial University
Yesterday's event was started at the Financial University, with whom WUAS has a partner agreement, where a Russian-Dutch Higher Education Forum was held. In the afternoon, some of the Dutch institutes attended an Erasmus+ fair for student mobility staged at the Financial University, which this year also celebrates its 100th year anniversary.
Wittenborg neighbour, Saxion's head of the international office, gave an overview of Dutch Higher Education, following on from the review of the Russian Higher Education Landscape by Olga Oleynikova, director of the Erasmus+ programme in Russia.
Export Manager of Royal Talens Inspires Students with Unique Sales Approach
Students Hear How 120-year-old Dutch Company Stays Competitive in Modern Times
https://www.wittenborg.eu/export-manager-royal-talens-inspires-students-unique-sales-approach.htm
Wittenborg students heard how a simple shift in communication led to phenomenal growth at an international company based in Apeldoorn, Royal Talens, which is celebrating its 120th birthday this week. The company specialises in producing paint for fine art around the world and also hobby materials.
Royal Talens’ export manager, Andries Grul, told students that a few years ago he started having quick meetings every single morning with all his staff face-to-face as well as weekly meetings and checking up on their well-being. A month later sales started increasing - and growing ever since. Grul was the guest speaker for IBA students on the topic of Change Management in Corporate Entrepreneurship on Monday. "We want to get the best service for our customers, so those daily meetings paint a good picture to everyone about what's going on, why there are delays and how to fix them. The meetings range from 5 minutes to 55 minutes. In the beginning some people were really annoyed because they can be time-consuming, but in the long-run we saw the benefits. And more importantly, the customer gets the best service. We also don't speak of 'customers', but rather refer to them as 'business partners'."
Brush with Fame
Royal Talens provided all the paint for the Oscar-nominated movie, Loving Vincent – an animation about Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, and the world’s first fully painted feature film.
Surviving your First Year as a Wittenborg Student
New Student? Don't Make these Common First-Year Mistakes
https://www.wittenborg.eu/surviving-your-first-year-wittenborg-student.htm
With its unique rolling entry system, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences welcomes a new group of students every few weeks. So how do you overcome all the jitters of a newcomer to Wittenborg?
Firstly, it doesn’t really matter what you did or have achieved in high school, as college life is definitely different. It is good to know that you start college or university life with a clean academic slate. From now on, whatever will be written on that slate depends very much on you and your own commitments. So brace yourself and set your targets and priorities right.
Get Familiar with Wittenborg's Online Resources
Ensure that you know how to use Wittenborg’s online resource page, because everything that relates to your studies is available there - from your course modules, timetables, exam registrations, results, to students’ handbook and many other online resources. Make sure you enrol in each module that you are taking and register for your exams early. Read the student handbook for tips on getting your BSN number, residence permit cards, student insurance, university doctor and dentist, and many other important details that can assist you to settle in the Netherlands better.
Know your Modules
Wittenborg at ICEF and EAIE with New Munich Partner, NEC
Host Country for ICEF and EAIE, Finland, Frequently Ranked as World's Best in Education
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-icef-and-eaie-new-munich-partner-nec.htm
Wittenborg was joined by its new partner from Munich, the New European College (NEC), at the 13th edition of the ICEF Higher Education Workshop held in Helsinki, Finland, this weekend where they met a range of student recruitment agents from around the world.
As per usual, the ICEF event takes place shortly before the 2019 EAIE Conference and Exhibition - from 24 - 27 September - which is also held in Helsinki, allowing educators to attend both events.
At ICEF, Wittenborg was represented the chair of the executive, Peter Birdsall, while NEC was represented by its managing director, Sascha Liebhardt. At the EAIE conference, Birdsall was joined by senior admission officer, Florian Oosterberg, who has just been announced as Wittenborg's new Student Registrar from 1 December 2019.
Recruitment Agents' Crucial Role in Growth of HE Sector
Agents continue to play a crucial role in the growth of the higher education sector, representing institutions in their markets and providing culturally aware counselling to students and their families. Agents also monitor enrolment criteria, streamlining the entire process, ICEF said on its website.
"(The event) provides a targeted opportunity for international tertiary institutions, selected higher education-focused agents, and relevant service providers to hold pre-scheduled, one-to-one business meetings effectively and efficiently."
Major Development for Area Around Wittenborg Amsterdam
Wittenborg Amsterdam Students Mix with Politicians and Entrepreneurs at Freezone Festival
https://www.wittenborg.eu/major-development-area-around-wittenborg-amsterdam.htm
Students from Wittenborg Amsterdam attended the Freezone Festival this weekend in Amstel III - the site of a major city development project in east Amsterdam. Students were able to meet and engage with local entrepreneurs and politicians during the event, which described the exciting changes planned for the area in the coming years.
The City of Amsterdam plans to transform the neighbourhood, currently dominated by offices, into a residential and working area that combines living, working, shopping, education and facilities in a lively city district with a park-like environment. The development would require accessible infrastructure and good, quality public spaces like bicycle and pedestrian routes, more green areas and space for sport and recreation.
According to Wittenborg senior lecturer Amy Abdou, students were excited to learn about these developments and meet the local movers and shakers behind the scenes. Four large apartment complexes will be built in the vicinity with room for restaurants, bars, community meeting spaces and a new park.
"Students could also enter a lottery where the main prize was one year, rent-free accommodation in one of the first housing units to be delivered in 2022," Abdou said. "Overall it was a great opportunity for Wittenborg to connect with our community. We look forward to being a part of these transformations in the coming years.
Good News as Wittenborg's MBA Programme Accredited for Another 7 Years
FIBAA Accreditation Panel Impressed with Support for Students
https://www.wittenborg.eu/good-news-wittenborgs-mba-programme-accredited-another-7-years.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' Master of Business Administration programme has just been re-accredited for the next 7 years by the German, Austrian, Swiss accrediting body FIBAA. In its report, FIBAA was particularly impressed with how Wittenborg prepares its students for the challenges in an international working environment.
Admission Department and Faculty Exceed Quality Requirements
It singled out the admissions department and the faculty for the support it provides to students, saying counselling for prospective students exceeds quality requirements. "Student support is an integral part of the services provided by the faculty. Faculty members are also available to students outside the specified office hours. Students are 'fully content' with the support they receive. The team of experts were particularly positive about the whole student support - especially by the process tutors and academic supervisors."
Rolling Intake a Clear Advantage for International Students
The report also calls Wittenborg's rolling intake throughout the year a "specialty and clear advantage". "The block structure and the curriculum design make it possible to start at various times during the academic year. Especially with students coming from so many different countries, this is a very unique and student-friendly situation which was very much appreciated by WUAS students during our on-site visit."
Student Registrar, Santosh Aryal, to Leave Wittenborg After 13 Years
Santosh Aryal to be Replaced by Florian Oosterberg as Student Registrar
https://www.wittenborg.eu/student-registrar-santosh-aryal-leave-wittenborg-after-13-years.htm
Florian Oosterberg has been announced as the new Student Registrar at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences. She will commence her duties on 1 December 2019.
Oosterberg will replace Santosh Aryal, who joined Wittenborg as a Nepalese student in 2006 and became Student Registrar in 2009. Aryal, who has become a stalwart at Wittenborg through the years and is popular with both staff and students, will leave at the end of November to pursue new career interests outside the Netherlands.
The announcement was made to staff last week by Wittenborg's Executive Board. The chair of the board, Peter Birdsall, said: "We sincerely wish Santosh the very best of luck in his future career.
"Santosh has been at the heart of Wittenborg’s development over the past ten years, moving to Apeldoorn in 2010 with 175 student registrations, compared with the almost 1,000 registrations in 2019."
Dutch native Oosterberg joined Wittenborg in 2014 as an admissions officer, rising steadily through the ranks. She completed a Master in Chinese Studies in 2017 at Leiden University.
WUP 25/9/2019
by Anesca Smith
© Wittenborg University Press
Related Content
Wittenborg Staff
Staff at Wittenborg
Netherlands Grapples with How to Stay Atop in HE
Strategic Agenda of Dutch Education Discussed Amidst Global Competitiveness
https://www.wittenborg.eu/netherlands-grapples-how-stay-atop-he.htm
At a recent meeting with 12 public and private institutions in the north-east region of the Netherlands, one of the discussion points was how the country can stay ahead of the game in higher education and research. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences was also at the meeting.
The discussion was led by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science who presented their strategic agenda for higher education and research at the meeting held in Enschede. This follows a week after the ministry submitted draft legislation to parliament to limit the influx of foreign students as well as the number of English programmes in the Netherlands. At the meeting, Wittenborg was represented by its chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall. Also in attendance were representatives from the Association of University of Applied Sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen).
While the Netherlands is currently sitting pretty in the knowledge eco-system, in the document it acknowledges that there are areas of concern. This includes the fact that a significant number of students are under stress and pressure to perform well. "The idea of lifelong learning aimed at employees and job-seekers doesn't seem to take root, lecturers are under a lot of work pressure, and due to an enormous growth in student numbers (including international students) the system is reaching its limits. At the same time, there are certain regions where student numbers are falling," the document reads.
Wittenborg CEO, Maggie Feng, Meets Dutch Queen, Máxima
More than 100 Entrepreneurs, Mentors at Gelderland Groeit Event with Queen Máxima
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-ceo-maggie-feng-meets-dutch-queen-maxima.htm
Meeting the queen can be quite an intimidating prospect, but Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng took it all in her stride when she met the Dutch queen, Máxima, this week during the Gelderland Groeit event for entrepreneurs in the province hosted by nlgroeit. "I was excited, of course, but did not lay awake the night before worrying about what I was going to wear, or what I was going to say to her."
A Queen with a Mind for Business
Feng, who had the privilege of sitting at the same table as Queen Máxima, does admit to being a bit in awe when the moment finally arrived. "She has great presence and is even lovelier in person than on TV or in photos. I was also very impressed with her business insights - so not just a pretty face! As always, she was dressed really stylishly and was wearing these big, beautiful earrings which everyone admired."
Though there was no rigid protocol in place, attendees were warned not to take photos of or selfies with the queen. "At the same time, she was very down to earth, friendly and easy going with everyone," Feng says.
100 Entrepreneurs at Event
More than 100 business owners and mentors from the region were present at the event, where the royal was the guest of honour. Feng said one of the striking things about the queen was the attention she gave to each of the business owners she was introduced to. "You could tell that she really paid attention to what was said, and connected to the other person."
Our New MSc and HBA Students are Here!
New Group Represents 14 Different Countries
https://www.wittenborg.eu/our-new-msc-and-hba-students-are-here.htm
Event management is proving the most popular programme among new MSc students, who will start their classes at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences on Monday, following an intense few days of Introduction Week activities, together with the new intake of HBA (Hospitality Business Administration) students.
ore than half of them will do a Master in International Event Management. All Wittenborg's Master in International Management (MSc) programmes as well as the HBA double degree programme are offered jointly with the University of Brighton. Together, the two groups represent 14 different countries - Germany, Nigeria, Vietnam, Luxembourg, Turkey, Spain, India, the Netherlands, China, Austria, India, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Italy and Ukraine.
The Introduction Week programme was designed to give students the necessary information and tools to get a good start at Wittenborg, and to learn about the policies and procedures, as well as the online and offline resources at Brighton.
Top Lecturers
Representing Brighton was Dr Michael Williams, Brighton's partner liaison tutor. Williams teaches across the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in event management at the university’s Eastbourne campus and at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, one of the school’s partner institutions.
Wittenborg in Moscow to celebrate 10 years of Nuffic Neso Russia
Wittenborg spent the day in Moscow to celebrate 10 years of Nuffic Neso Russia, and strengthen ties with Russian partners.
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-moscow-celebrate-10-years-nuffic-neso-russia.htm
Wittenborg helps Neso Russia celebrate its 10th anniversary in Moscow, whilst strengthening ties with its partners in Moscow.
Yesterday saw around 15 Dutch research and applied science universities join the Nuffic in Moscow to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Netherlands Education Support Office (Neso) in Moscow.
RANEPA
Wittenborg's President Peter Birdsall was joined in Moscow by its Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Dr Ron Tuninga and International Partnerships Manager, Lena Vandenbosch, and before the Nuffic event the team already made good partnership relations with the MBA programme at RANEPA (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration), a triple crown accredited university.
Nuffic at the Financial University
Yesterday's event was started at the Financial University, with whom WUAS has a partner agreement, where a Russian-Dutch Higher Education Forum was held. In the afternoon, some of the Dutch institutes attended an Erasmus+ fair for student mobility staged at the Financial University, which this year also celebrates its 100th year anniversary.
Wittenborg neighbour, Saxion's head of the international office, gave an overview of Dutch Higher Education, following on from the review of the Russian Higher Education Landscape by Olga Oleynikova, director of the Erasmus+ programme in Russia.
Export Manager of Royal Talens Inspires Students with Unique Sales Approach
Students Hear How 120-year-old Dutch Company Stays Competitive in Modern Times
https://www.wittenborg.eu/export-manager-royal-talens-inspires-students-unique-sales-approach.htm
Wittenborg students heard how a simple shift in communication led to phenomenal growth at an international company based in Apeldoorn, Royal Talens, which is celebrating its 120th birthday this week. The company specialises in producing paint for fine art around the world and also hobby materials.
Royal Talens’ export manager, Andries Grul, told students that a few years ago he started having quick meetings every single morning with all his staff face-to-face as well as weekly meetings and checking up on their well-being. A month later sales started increasing - and growing ever since. Grul was the guest speaker for IBA students on the topic of Change Management in Corporate Entrepreneurship on Monday. "We want to get the best service for our customers, so those daily meetings paint a good picture to everyone about what's going on, why there are delays and how to fix them. The meetings range from 5 minutes to 55 minutes. In the beginning some people were really annoyed because they can be time-consuming, but in the long-run we saw the benefits. And more importantly, the customer gets the best service. We also don't speak of 'customers', but rather refer to them as 'business partners'."
Brush with Fame
Royal Talens provided all the paint for the Oscar-nominated movie, Loving Vincent – an animation about Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, and the world’s first fully painted feature film.
Surviving your First Year as a Wittenborg Student
New Student? Don't Make these Common First-Year Mistakes
https://www.wittenborg.eu/surviving-your-first-year-wittenborg-student.htm
With its unique rolling entry system, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences welcomes a new group of students every few weeks. So how do you overcome all the jitters of a newcomer to Wittenborg?
Firstly, it doesn’t really matter what you did or have achieved in high school, as college life is definitely different. It is good to know that you start college or university life with a clean academic slate. From now on, whatever will be written on that slate depends very much on you and your own commitments. So brace yourself and set your targets and priorities right.
Get Familiar with Wittenborg's Online Resources
Ensure that you know how to use Wittenborg’s online resource page, because everything that relates to your studies is available there - from your course modules, timetables, exam registrations, results, to students’ handbook and many other online resources. Make sure you enrol in each module that you are taking and register for your exams early. Read the student handbook for tips on getting your BSN number, residence permit cards, student insurance, university doctor and dentist, and many other important details that can assist you to settle in the Netherlands better.
Know your Modules
Wittenborg at ICEF and EAIE with New Munich Partner, NEC
Host Country for ICEF and EAIE, Finland, Frequently Ranked as World's Best in Education
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-icef-and-eaie-new-munich-partner-nec.htm
Wittenborg was joined by its new partner from Munich, the New European College (NEC), at the 13th edition of the ICEF Higher Education Workshop held in Helsinki, Finland, this weekend where they met a range of student recruitment agents from around the world.
As per usual, the ICEF event takes place shortly before the 2019 EAIE Conference and Exhibition - from 24 - 27 September - which is also held in Helsinki, allowing educators to attend both events.
At ICEF, Wittenborg was represented the chair of the executive, Peter Birdsall, while NEC was represented by its managing director, Sascha Liebhardt. At the EAIE conference, Birdsall was joined by senior admission officer, Florian Oosterberg, who has just been announced as Wittenborg's new Student Registrar from 1 December 2019.
Recruitment Agents' Crucial Role in Growth of HE Sector
Agents continue to play a crucial role in the growth of the higher education sector, representing institutions in their markets and providing culturally aware counselling to students and their families. Agents also monitor enrolment criteria, streamlining the entire process, ICEF said on its website.
"(The event) provides a targeted opportunity for international tertiary institutions, selected higher education-focused agents, and relevant service providers to hold pre-scheduled, one-to-one business meetings effectively and efficiently."
Major Development for Area Around Wittenborg Amsterdam
Wittenborg Amsterdam Students Mix with Politicians and Entrepreneurs at Freezone Festival
https://www.wittenborg.eu/major-development-area-around-wittenborg-amsterdam.htm
Students from Wittenborg Amsterdam attended the Freezone Festival this weekend in Amstel III - the site of a major city development project in east Amsterdam. Students were able to meet and engage with local entrepreneurs and politicians during the event, which described the exciting changes planned for the area in the coming years.
The City of Amsterdam plans to transform the neighbourhood, currently dominated by offices, into a residential and working area that combines living, working, shopping, education and facilities in a lively city district with a park-like environment. The development would require accessible infrastructure and good, quality public spaces like bicycle and pedestrian routes, more green areas and space for sport and recreation.
According to Wittenborg senior lecturer Amy Abdou, students were excited to learn about these developments and meet the local movers and shakers behind the scenes. Four large apartment complexes will be built in the vicinity with room for restaurants, bars, community meeting spaces and a new park.
"Students could also enter a lottery where the main prize was one year, rent-free accommodation in one of the first housing units to be delivered in 2022," Abdou said. "Overall it was a great opportunity for Wittenborg to connect with our community. We look forward to being a part of these transformations in the coming years.
Good News as Wittenborg's MBA Programme Accredited for Another 7 Years
FIBAA Accreditation Panel Impressed with Support for Students
https://www.wittenborg.eu/good-news-wittenborgs-mba-programme-accredited-another-7-years.htm
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' Master of Business Administration programme has just been re-accredited for the next 7 years by the German, Austrian, Swiss accrediting body FIBAA. In its report, FIBAA was particularly impressed with how Wittenborg prepares its students for the challenges in an international working environment.
Admission Department and Faculty Exceed Quality Requirements
It singled out the admissions department and the faculty for the support it provides to students, saying counselling for prospective students exceeds quality requirements. "Student support is an integral part of the services provided by the faculty. Faculty members are also available to students outside the specified office hours. Students are 'fully content' with the support they receive. The team of experts were particularly positive about the whole student support - especially by the process tutors and academic supervisors."
Rolling Intake a Clear Advantage for International Students
The report also calls Wittenborg's rolling intake throughout the year a "specialty and clear advantage". "The block structure and the curriculum design make it possible to start at various times during the academic year. Especially with students coming from so many different countries, this is a very unique and student-friendly situation which was very much appreciated by WUAS students during our on-site visit."
Student Registrar, Santosh Aryal, to Leave Wittenborg After 13 Years
Santosh Aryal to be Replaced by Florian Oosterberg as Student Registrar
https://www.wittenborg.eu/student-registrar-santosh-aryal-leave-wittenborg-after-13-years.htm
Florian Oosterberg has been announced as the new Student Registrar at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences. She will commence her duties on 1 December 2019.
Oosterberg will replace Santosh Aryal, who joined Wittenborg as a Nepalese student in 2006 and became Student Registrar in 2009. Aryal, who has become a stalwart at Wittenborg through the years and is popular with both staff and students, will leave at the end of November to pursue new career interests outside the Netherlands.
The announcement was made to staff last week by Wittenborg's Executive Board. The chair of the board, Peter Birdsall, said: "We sincerely wish Santosh the very best of luck in his future career.
"Santosh has been at the heart of Wittenborg’s development over the past ten years, moving to Apeldoorn in 2010 with 175 student registrations, compared with the almost 1,000 registrations in 2019."
Dutch native Oosterberg joined Wittenborg in 2014 as an admissions officer, rising steadily through the ranks. She completed a Master in Chinese Studies in 2017 at Leiden University.
WUP 25/9/2019
by Anesca Smith
© Wittenborg University Press
Related Content
Wittenborg Staff
Staff at Wittenborg
Netherlands Grapples with How to Stay Atop in HE
Strategic Agenda of Dutch Education Discussed Amidst Global Competitiveness
https://www.wittenborg.eu/netherlands-grapples-how-stay-atop-he.htm
At a recent meeting with 12 public and private institutions in the north-east region of the Netherlands, one of the discussion points was how the country can stay ahead of the game in higher education and research. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences was also at the meeting.
The discussion was led by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science who presented their strategic agenda for higher education and research at the meeting held in Enschede. This follows a week after the ministry submitted draft legislation to parliament to limit the influx of foreign students as well as the number of English programmes in the Netherlands. At the meeting, Wittenborg was represented by its chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall. Also in attendance were representatives from the Association of University of Applied Sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen).
While the Netherlands is currently sitting pretty in the knowledge eco-system, in the document it acknowledges that there are areas of concern. This includes the fact that a significant number of students are under stress and pressure to perform well. "The idea of lifelong learning aimed at employees and job-seekers doesn't seem to take root, lecturers are under a lot of work pressure, and due to an enormous growth in student numbers (including international students) the system is reaching its limits. At the same time, there are certain regions where student numbers are falling," the document reads.
Wittenborg CEO, Maggie Feng, Meets Dutch Queen, Máxima
More than 100 Entrepreneurs, Mentors at Gelderland Groeit Event with Queen Máxima
https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-ceo-maggie-feng-meets-dutch-queen-maxima.htm
Meeting the queen can be quite an intimidating prospect, but Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng took it all in her stride when she met the Dutch queen, Máxima, this week during the Gelderland Groeit event for entrepreneurs in the province hosted by nlgroeit. "I was excited, of course, but did not lay awake the night before worrying about what I was going to wear, or what I was going to say to her."
A Queen with a Mind for Business
Feng, who had the privilege of sitting at the same table as Queen Máxima, does admit to being a bit in awe when the moment finally arrived. "She has great presence and is even lovelier in person than on TV or in photos. I was also very impressed with her business insights - so not just a pretty face! As always, she was dressed really stylishly and was wearing these big, beautiful earrings which everyone admired."
Though there was no rigid protocol in place, attendees were warned not to take photos of or selfies with the queen. "At the same time, she was very down to earth, friendly and easy going with everyone," Feng says.
100 Entrepreneurs at Event
More than 100 business owners and mentors from the region were present at the event, where the royal was the guest of honour. Feng said one of the striking things about the queen was the attention she gave to each of the business owners she was introduced to. "You could tell that she really paid attention to what was said, and connected to the other person."