Debate Touches on Problems, Opportunities & Ethical Dilemmas

https://www.wittenborg.eu/intercollegiate-debate-child-labour-west-african-cocoa-industry.htm

On 29 September, Wittenborg students from the EBA (Entrepreneurial Business Administration) and MBA (Master of Business Administration) programmes participated in an intercollegiate debate with American students from the Institute for the International Education of Students Study Abroad programme in Amsterdam. The central topic was child labour in the West African cocoa industry, but the debate also touched on sustainability, transparency in the supply chain and corporate social responsibility.

The participating students formed teams representing the different stakeholder positions (business enterprise, farmer, NGO and consumer) to discuss the problems, opportunities and ethical dilemmas. The students reconvened for a rousing debate in which each team described its community’s role in addressing the problems of child labour in the supply chain and its vision for the future. Wittenborg lecturer Amy Abdou organised the event on behalf of Wittenborg and moderated the debate. Students from both programmes were supplied with background articles and documentaries in preparation for the debate.

Marketing Apeldoorn to the International World

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborgs-1st-project-week-2021-2022-city-marketing-apeldoorn.htm

If we mention the word ‘Netherlands’ or ‘Holland’ to any foreigners, the first city that comes to their minds is ‘Amsterdam’ or ‘Rotterdam’ as these cities are widely known all around the world. Apeldoorn is basically unknown to many people as it does not have the same international vibe as Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague. That is why Wittenborg’s 1st Project Week of the new Academic Year 2021-2022 starts off with the task for the students to do some ‘City Marketing’ of Apeldoorn. It was a week packed with activities including kick-off session, elevator pitching of their ideas, discussions, creation of websites, presentation and finally compilation of their reports.

Wittenborg Vice-President Part of Panel Discussion on Education Strategies for Future

https://www.wittenborg.eu/university-leaders-across-europe-reflect-lessons-learned-pandemic.htm

A select group of university leaders from across Europe, including Wittenborg's Vice-President of Academic Affairs Professor Dr Ron Tuninga, took part in an online panel discussion this week on how lessons learned from the pandemic period is informing their education strategies for the future. The pros and cons of hybrid learning in particular was a big discussion point.

The discussion was hosted by British weekly Times Higher Education (THE) as part of their Student Success Forum event. The session was titled "Leaders Panel: Education Strategies for the Year Ahead".

Tuninga said one of the interesting things for students was that Wittenborg was able to invite more business leaders as guest speakers online. "Everyone is now more comfortable with Zoom and while in the past it took time to travel to the campus and deliver a lecture, they are now more willing to do an hour online without the travelling, and this allows for a more diverse group of practitioners from industry.

Wittenborg Committed to Supporting UN SDGs

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborgs-un-sdgs-flag-hoisted.htm

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences hoisted the UN SDGs flag at its Spoorstraat Campus in Apeldoorn on 24 September to show its full commitment towards supporting this UN vision. Wittenborg believes that higher education institutions should contribute to local communities and businesses as well as to the national and global arena. The aim of a university of applied sciences is not only to educate youngsters to prepare them for the working world, but also to prepare them for life in general. By partaking in activities that affect the global community, Wittenborg will equip students with a well-rounded education and with a sense of global awareness that can help in their future lives.

Johan Cruijff Arena One of Europe's Most Innovative Stadiums in Terms of Sustainability

https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-amsterdam-students-visit-home-ground-dutch-football-club-ajax.htm

A group of students from Wittenborg Amsterdam visited the Johan Cruijff Arena, not only one of the most recognisable landmarks of Amsterdam but also one of the most innovative stadiums in Europe when it comes to green energy and sustainability practices. The last visit, usually a highlight on the academic calendar, was in February 2020 just before the Netherlands went into lockdown.

The group consisted of both MBA students and undergraduates following Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' Entrepreneurial Business Administration (EBA) programme at its Amsterdam campus.

Excursion Takes Students to World's Largest Mobility Trade Show

https://www.wittenborg.eu/first-industrial-visit-2-years-wittenborgs-munich-students.htm

Students at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' Munich campus recently had their first industrial excursion in two years - a visit to the world's largest mobility trade show, the 2021 IAA Mobility. Restrictions in Germany as a result of COVID-19 made excursions like this almost impossible after March 2020.

This year was the first time the show was held in Munich. It has also undergone a facelift in the sense that while it was previously known as '"the world's largest car event", organisers have now made an effort to include all stakeholders dealing with the challenges of mobility. 

Guest Lecture: IBM Associate Partner, Jerry Stam, on How COVID-19 Changed Business for Good

https://www.wittenborg.eu/how-not-get-cancelled-company-post-covid-world.htm

Exactly 18 months after delivering his last guest lecture at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, Jerry Stam –  associate partner of IBM Global Business Services –  was back in front of a classroom this week, finding the teaching experience quite different from how he left it. Where last time he stood in front of a full classroom, this time he had to manage both online students and those who attended his classes in person, fielding questions from both groups.

Fittingly, Stam’s lecture revolved around how the impact of COVID-19 has changed the business sector and accelerated digital opportunities for manufacturers and retailers.

Academic Honesty a Fundamental Value of Academic Integrity

https://www.wittenborg.eu/unethicalities-plagiarism-and-ghost-writing.htm

“A member of the U.S. army personnel, who was soon to be deployed overseas as well as enter graduate school, was discovered to be copying another’s work and presenting it as his own. The military office dismissed him citing that his lack of personal integrity would further translate to his other actions in the military regarding how he behaves during deployment when fulfilling his duties and his relationships with fellow troop members as well as civilians. Integrity is one of the military’s most important values along with courage, respect, and loyalty (U.S. Army, 2016).”¹

Stealing another person’s ideas, words, line of thinking, etc., and signing it as one’s own, is called plagiarism and it is a violation of academic honesty. Academic honesty is a fundamental value of academic integrity, and violating it is a damaging act. As formulated by the International Centre for Academic Integrity (1999: 4): “Academic integrity is a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.”

Renovations on Het Loo Palace to Be Completed in 2022 and Royals Under Pressure to Open Entire Estate from Next Autumn

https://www.wittenborg.eu/royal-crown-estate-apeldoorn-set-open-year-round-next-year.htm

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Apeldoorn - the Dutch city where Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has been located the past 21 years - is its direct connection to the Dutch Royal family. The Royals' summer residence, Het Loo Palace, is located in the area and although the actual palace is currently closed for renovations and the extensive grounds around it will only open again on 26 December, 2021, all of this is set to change next year.

Renovations on the palace are due to be finished in 2022 although a date has not been released. In the meantime, the beautiful palace gardens have remained open to the public. The Het Loo Crown Estate, though, is a different story.