The Netherlands boasts the 4th highest number of top universities in the world - punching way above its size, according to international experts in education.

This is according to the prestigious British education weekly, The Times Higher Education (THE), which has just released the latest results of its World University Rankings 2015-2016 featuring the Top 200 institutes around the globe. The only countries ranking higher than the Netherlands are the US, UK and Germany. 

The Netherlands has 12 institutes in the Top 200, one up from last year. Among those, the highest ranked is Wageningen University (47) with which Wittenborg University is currently jointly supervising PhD studies on Climate Change and Tourism in Africa.

According to THE, as European countries get stronger the US is feeling the heat.  Although the traditional Western powerhouse still has 6 universities in the Top 10, it shows signs of decline.  The US now has 63 universities in the Top 200, down from 74 last year, and 77 the year before.

By way of explaining the phenomenon, Simon Marginson, professor of international higher education at the UCL Institute of Education, told THE that US research is “not declining in the absolute sense”, but rather “other countries are improving and crowding into the top 200 space”.

One of those countries is the Netherlands, which after its ranking was described by Phil Baty, editor of THE as a country "punching above its weight". He predicts the Netherlands' success will grow in the coming years due to the fact that it abolished the so-called "loan-system'' saving about a million euros which could be invested elsewhere in education.

Overall, Europe has 345 universities in the world Top 800, meaning its institutions comprise more than two-fifths of this specific table. Professor Marginson said that the results reveal that “15 years of consolidation of higher education, in the Nordic countries, the Low Countries and German-speaking world, is now bearing fruit”.

In particular, he cited national programmes to foster research concentrations, the European Research Area grant programmes, the Bologna-instigated reforms, and “carefully managed immigration policies that decouple high-talent recruitment from other forms of migration” as strategies that have improved their university systems.

Source: THE

Source: Nuffic

WUP 11/10/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

International students are highly pleased with the education they receive in the Netherlands, scoring the country 8,8 out of 10 in the StudyPortals International Student Satisfaction Awards 2015. Students ranked the Netherlands the 7th best country to study in Europe beating Germany and the UK.

The StudyPortals International Satisfaction Awards 2015 is based on more than 17 000 reviews received on the student experience platform STeXX.eu during the 2014-2015 academic year. The results of the survey was recently made public at the annual ICEF conference in Glasgow.

Surprisingly France, one of the most popular study destinations in the world, got the lowest score in Europe when it comes to student satisfaction levels.  Only Ireland, the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and Poland scored higher than Holland. Dutch institutes of higher education won 10 awards, bettered only by Spain (24), Germany (16) and Italy (11).

However, while international students who come to Holland are highly pleased, it seems Dutch students who go abroad have a less satisfactory experience, scoring their time there with only 8,1 out of 10. A press release from Study Portals says comments from students suggest this is due to the high standard of education they receive in their own country.

Despite a slight decrease since last year, international student satisfaction continues to remain high in Europe, with 86% of students being satisfied with their study abroad experience, compared to 89% in 2014. Only 7% of students report a score below 6 to their international study experience this year.

Source: StudyPortals

WUP 15/10/2015
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Dutch hospitality management programmes and Hotel Schools were well represented at the EuroCHRIE conference this year, held at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. The theme this year was "Experience" and many of the Key Note speeches and paper presentations were related to the theme of hospitality and tourism becoming an 'experiential' product.

Wittenborg University was represented by its executive chair, Peter Birdsall, and head of the School of Hospitality & Tourism, Esther Gitonga. They joined colleagues from the other Dutch institutes, such as Hotel School the Hague, Maastricht Hotel School, Stenden, Breda and Wittenborg's neighbours-to-be, Saxion, whose Hospitality Business School was represented. Saxion is building their new Hotel School campus directly next to Wittenborg's recently opened Spoorstraat location, on the north side of the Apeldoorn central railway station. During their informal meetings, Wittenborg and Saxion representatives talked about the benefits for themselves and Apeldoorn of the new "higher education area being developed there".

The conference allowed for the presentation of over 100 carefully chosen papers, however was an excellent opportunity for educators to get together and network, to discuss partnerships and collaboration. Next year's EuroCHRIE conference will be held in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

WUP 19/10/2015

by Wittenborg University Press

Text ©Wittenborg University Press

Photos: EuroCHRIE

Wittenborg University was proud to host members of the influential business organization, De Maatschappij, for a lunch network event at its Spoorstraat 23 location in Apeldoorn on Monday.

De Maatschappij is an independent organization for business-minded people from government, Dutch companies and training institutes – it boasts 2500 members from all over the Netherlands. The event was opened by the director of the Fotovakschool Apeldoorn, Paul Akkermans, who is also a member of De Maatschappij.

The Fotovakschool is one of the training institutes neighbouring Wittenborg at its new Spoorstraat premises, forming a growing educational hub around the Apeldoorn railway station, boosting the city’s profile in the Dutch education sector.

Wittenborg’s chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, gave an extensive overview of Wittenborg – from its beginnings in Deventer to its aspirations to become a cross-discipline institute of higher education in the Netherlands. One of the ambitions is to upgrade its status from a university of applied science to a full-fledged research university with a broad curriculum instead of one catering for a small niche market with little room to grow, Birdsall told members of the business community.

“Currently we have more than 70 different nationalities represented at Wittenborg. About 85% of students are international and 15% Dutch.” He also elaborated on the reasons behind the university’s recent decision to move its IBA in Entrepreneurship & Small Business programme to its Amsterdam campus citing more opportunities for start-ups in the capital of the Netherlands instead of Apeldoorn, where the university’s headquarters is currently situated. “We are also testing the waters to see to what extend Wittenborg can compete with other business schools in Amsterdam.”

To realize its ambition of becoming a research university - thereby positioning itself to receive research funding from the Dutch government - Wittenborg currently offers 4 Master of Science programmes in conjunction with the University of Brighton in the UK. Birdsall hopes that within 3 to 4 years Wittenborg would have strengthened its research capacity and accumulated sufficient knowledge to launch an application to become a research university. 

From February this year it also offers a fully-accredited MBA programme with different specializations, including an MBA in General Management and an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation with an MBA in Energy and Clean Technology to follow. 

Birdsall further told attendees Wittenborg’s 10-year plan includes growing its student number to about 1500 (maybe even 2000 given proposed online courses) and 100 different nationalities. “We are currently growing at about 25% per year.”

WUP 26/10/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University’s Webmaster and IT specialist, Denis Schuh, is an integral part of what makes Wittenborg tick in the digital age - from maintaining the great, new website to creating pages for special events, he’s got it covered from his home in Austrtia.

What does a typical day working with Wittenborg look like?

Well, the typical day would start with checking if everything is working properly in the morning, including updates and maintenance. I handle the websites and part of the helpdesk, so there is always something to do. We are constantly growing our online content and functionality.

Have you ever been hacked?
Not that I know of. It’s quite unlikely to be hacked as a private person. Even more so when you have, like me prior to this interview, no footprint on the net. I stay clear of “social” media sites and the like so it would be hard to even pick me as a target. Of course, one is never safe from the hazards of the internet, security is important, at the office and at home.

How did you get started working for Wittenborg?
About a decade ago I made websites for family and friends, private and business. The first contact I had with Wittenborg was when they were looking for someone to revamp their original website. I was given a chance to remake it and they liked it.

What about IT attracted you? What skills do you need to distinguish yourself?
When I was about 8 years old my father bought me a PC that had no operating system on it. Blank hard drive, black screen with a bios message. I was a child but I heard something in the box calling my name. It was intriguing to find out how to operate it. Today I enjoy this work because I can do most of it from home. As much as I like people in general, I like them the most on the other side of my door. I am communicative with my colleagues of course, via email, which is definitely my preferred form of communication.

Why were you interested in working with an international institute of higher education like Wittenborg?
The IT in a school is not much different than in any other business. However, there is something positive to it:  since it’s an international school of higher education one is surrounded by tolerant and highly intelligent people - an environment that I have, during my regular visits, learned to like a lot.

Do you have a role model from your field?
Nope.

Do you think a tool like Google Analytics are generally still under-used by many companies? Does Wittenborg use it effectively?
I noticed the companies above a certain size automatically have the staff and the knowledge to see the importance of Google’s services and act according to this. I have worked for a couple of private people and restaurants who all had no idea what it is and how to benefit from it. Google's tools became a science all in itself, there are businesses doing nothing but fine tuning google ads and remarketing. Wittenborg started a while ago to go deeper into Google tools for promotion and analysis. There is always something to tweak but I think we’re on the right track.

What is the one web tool or skill everyone should learn that would make our working lives better?
Not everyone can write a good guide or how-to but I think everyone should try at least once. It proves whether you are able to describe a workflow to others who have no prior knowledge of the matter. If you can do that, then every day communication will improve and errors diminish.

What’s your favourite App and why?
It’s called “Click” and was written around 2003 by a genius named Octo. It is a tiny exe file, with a configuration that is easy to setup. It can record and play mouse macros, clicks & movements. Saved me hundreds of hours over the years. Thank you Octo, wherever you are.

Do you watch that new TV series, Mr Robot? If so, do you think it’s a true reflection of what real hack-jobs look like?
No, I don’t have a TV anymore. But if it depicts it as months of research, math and frustration, it is pretty much spot on.

Where do you live, and how do you spend your free time?
About thirteen years ago I went into a shop for artist’s colours in the third Vienna district, I bought 32 paint tubes and some brushes to go along with. I still had my mother’s easel she used during her school time. Made of wood and covered in dry paint, it fascinated me when I was a child so I took it to my home before she threw it away.

At the time I had just moved into a new flat and thought I could use some pictures. Painting can’t be that hard, I thought, so I went ahead and sketched some apples convinced that’s how I would start in art class. I noticed that the outline of my apples looked rather alien to my inexperienced artist's eyes so I decided to go and get myself some reference. I handpicked 3 of the most apple-ish apples I was able to muster.

When I returned home I made some apple rings. You surely know it, you use similar dough when you make Crêpe Suzette, cover the apple rings in it and well you get the gist. It was delicious, I gained a kilo that evening. After this fulfilling meal I languished on my couch. Lying there I looked around and remembered why I bought the apples I just ate. I grabbed my phone and ordered three pictures and a hammer on Amazon.

What do you do for fun?
I sell paintings of apple rings. Well, that and all kinds of 3d artistry, it’s very calming since I’m not on a schedule like a professional artist.

WUP 30/10/2015
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

The new academic year got off to a rolling start for Wittenborg University's latest cohort of MSc students attending classes at the new Spoorstßraat location in Apeldoorn from this month.

As one walks down the corridors of the beautiful red-brick building near the Apeldoorn railway station, lively discussion ensues from the classrooms and once inside, nearly every seat is taken with papers and open textbooks spread on the tables and students enthusiastically scribbling notes.

When the new academic year started for Bachelor students in September a few Project Week presentations and seminars got the ball rolling at Spoorstraat 23. A few weeks later the university's Admission and Housing Team moved in. Now, with the start of the Master of Science programmes, bringing a whole new group of enthusiastic MSc students, the building is finally in full operation.

Students are confident and clear on why Wittenborg was the university of choice for them. Lily Saldivar from Mexico, who is doing an MSc in Event Management, says there are not many post-graduate studies in event management available. "Not only are they accessible in the Netherlands, but also cheaper. The programme at Wittenborg is well-structured and the fact that it's being offered in conjunction with the University of Brighton in the UK was a big plus for me. Other institutions can learn from Wittenborg about offering dual degrees."

Saldivar worked for almost 2 years in Mexico as purchasing manager for Flextronics (now, Flex) before deciding to further her studies. She also likes the fact that Wittenborg is so international. "You learn from the teachers, but you also learn from the students." Another advantage for her was that Wittenborg offers students accommodation, at least for the first 5 months of their studies. "A new country can be overwhelming and this is a really nice touch. I hope that even as the school grows, they will keep this aspect of their services to students."

George Gugushvie from Georgia, who is doing an MSc in Tourism Management, says he enjoys the theory part of the programme but is eager to move on to the practical aspects. "I have always been interested in the Netherlands and fees here are also comparably cheaper." Before coming to Wittenborg he worked for a NGO called Georgia Ecotourism Association which did a lot of research in the tourism sector. "I wanted to extend my knowledge and learn about new trends."

WUP 01/10/2015
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Wednesday saw representatives of EP-Nuffic and the Ministry of Education met with the director of NRTO Ria van’t Klooster and representatives of private Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. The EP-Nuffic is the Netherland’s organisation that promotes internationalisation of education, and especially the promotion of Dutch Higher Education abroad. The NRTO is the body that represents Dutch private Universities of Applied Science in both its quality systems development and as a single voice towards the government and other key players in solved in higher education in the Netherlands.

Private Universities of Applied Science were represented by Webster University, Business School Netherlands and Wittenborg University.

Wittenborg Director Peter Birdsall and Karen Penninga of Wittenborg's management team,  joined their colleagues in discussions on how NUFFIC can improve its representation and promotion of private Universities of Applied Science within the Study in Holland campaign.

The discussion atmosphere was seen as productive, with all parties agreeing to iron out communication difficulties and improve the general positive communication both internally and externally and parties have suggested that there will be a direct contact person within EP-Nuffic for all private Universities of Applied Science, through their representative body NRTO.

The meetings were concluded by Wittenborg University giving a tour of both the (new) Spoorstraat and Aventus campus locations, with special attention for the new academic library created at the Spoorstraat.

WUP 5/11/2015

by Wittenborg University Press

©Wittenborg University Press

After Sweden, the Dutch boast the highest level of English proficiency in Europe among non-native speakers of the language. This is according to the Education First English Proficiency Index (EP EPI) for 2015.

“In 2015, English is widely accepted as the primary international language, and it is increasingly defined as a basic skill required of every student in every education system,” the report’s executive summary reads. A total of 70 countries were surveyed. EF EPI was launched in 2011.

Since this year, Wittenborg University has stepped up its language support for non-native speakers with free English lessons. Wittenborg’s Chair of the Executive Board, Peter Birdsall, said at the start of the semester: “We don’t feel the English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement is sufficient, which is why we offer free English lessons at Wittenborg for those students who need additional support.”

Since this year, Wittenborg University has stepped up its language support for non-native speakers with free English lessons. Wittenborg’s Chair of the Executive Board, Peter Birdsall, said at the start of the semester: “We don’t feel the English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement is sufficient, which is why we offer free English lessons at Wittenborg for those students who need additional support.”

The EF EPI 2015 report continues: “In developing countries, English is often tied to development goals, expansion of the service sector, and increased connectivity to the rest of the world.” The top 5 countries are: Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Libya scored the lowest, followed by Cambodia and Saudi Arabia.

Of the top 5 countries, the Dutch government spends the least of its total budget on education (11.9%), the average number of years of education received by people aged 25 and older in Holland is 11.9 years and 94% of the country’s inhabitants has internet access.

The report also reveals that Europe has the strongest English proficiency of any region in the world and notes that the EU explicitly promotes “plurilingualism and intercultural education” in all member countries.

However, it warns that much more will need to change before English can fulfil its potential to connect people to each other, spread information, and facilitate exchange. “We believe the most essential shift needed is towards communicative teaching practices. In far too many countries, both rich and poor, English is still taught with little regard to its practical use. Until all English teachers are teaching English as a tool for communication, countries and individuals will not enjoy the full benefit of a global language.”

Highlights of the report include:

• Adults in Northern Europe have exceptionally good English skills compared to other non-native English speakers. However, there is still room for growth in Northern Europe. Although conversational English is widespread and daily exposure common, many students do not develop an adequate level of academic English to pursue tertiary studies in the language. Several countries have recently undertaken reforms to counteract this “ceiling effect”.
• European women have higher proficiency levels than European men.
• France, Italy, and Spain—three of the four largest non-English-speaking countries in Europe —are behind European Union averages. While Italy and Spain have both shown some improvements over the past eight years, France remains weak. In fact, France is so far behind its neighbours that its English proficiency levels are akin to those of countries on the eastern edges of Europe. Whether due to a cultural aversion to English or an inability to reform its education system, France is on a different trajectory from its neighbours.

Source: Education First

WUP 10/11/2015
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University recently hosted a delegation from the University of Frederiction in Canada, which included Mr Kjetil Sandermoen, Board Chairman, Mr Don Roy, President, and Dr Kenneth Green, Provost.

Fredericton is an online university offering certificate, diploma and degree programmes. Its programmes are designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers and upgrade their education with minimal disruption to their work and personal life.

Wittenborg's Board of Executives met with the delegation to discuss possible collaboration opportunities between the two universities in the future.

Such a cooperation would mean a strengthening of relations between Wittenborg and Canadian academics. Just last week visiting professor James Bowen, from the University of Ottawa, managed one of Wittenborg's Project Weeks for the 3rd successive year, working with Phase 1 & 2 students.

Bowen, who also joined the Canadian delegation on Friday, is part of an international team of developers Wittenborg University has been working with since 2012 to create the world’s first gaming-based higher education learning curriculum – an MBA in which students do their learning within game-based simulations.

A gamefied MBA is the use of simulations or games as a way of teaching and practicing the material and concepts in a business environment. The simulation tests students on their entrepreneurial capabilities in areas including investment, hiring and firing, venture capital, risk management, product development and supply chain management.

WUP 13/11/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg joined its partners from Germany, France and Spain at the University of Brighton's Eastbourne campus (School of Service Sector and Sport) this week for a meeting of the Steering Group of the so-called EuroBA programme, the Bachelor (Hons) International Hospitality Management, awarded by the University of Brighton.

The steering group is charged with overseeing, administering and evaluating the programme, which is taught at different levels in all the participating institutes. Students from Wittenborg can also gain the Wittenborg degree IBA in Hospitality Management on completion of all their EC credits counting for both programmes.

A unique characteristic of the programme is that the students study at three different institutes during their 3 years, having to get used to a different environment and a different approach to the curriculum at the institute they are studying.

At present there are over 140 students studying at various stages of the programme in all the institutes involved. Wittenborg currently has students in the first year at Apeldoorn, following the second year in Freiburg and completing the first semester of the final year at the University of Brighton. All students will return to their home institute to graduate for the final semester.

WUP 14/11/2015

by Wittenborg

©Wittenborg University Press

Whether you are a whisky lover, investor or just curious about what makes whisky so special - don't miss the official launch of Wittenborg University's new book Whisky Burn – the Highlands and Islands by Vespa on 10 December 2015 in Amsterdam.

Published by Wittenborg University Press and written by British author and painter, Ben Birdsall, Whisky Burn leads readers through an entertaining and fascinating journey around Scotland - from Glasgow to Orkney via the Western Isles, visiting all the well-known distilleries along the way.

Registration

The launch will be held at Wittenborg's newly opened Amsterdam location situated 5 minutes from the central station in the UP-Building, Piet Heijnkade 55. The venue offers a spectacular panoramic view Amsterdam. To register for the event and the official invitation go here.

Book Signing & Whisky Tasting

Birdsall will be speaking about his book and signing copies on sale at the event. At the launch there will also be a chance to do some ''nosing & tasting'' giving guests the chance to sample a few excellent Scotch whiskies.

Birdsall spent one summer traveling for 3 weeks from one distillery to the other on his 1979 Vespa 50, savoring the diverse range of flavours the Scottish region has to offer. In an interview earlier he said the book is intended for people who know a little bit about Scotch whisky and want to learn more about the distilleries that produce them. "It is a reference book but could also be for people going on holiday, wanting to do a similar trip."  Whisky Burn is also illustrated with twelve oil paintings done by the author at various points during the trip.

Why invest in whisky?

Whisky International will present an in-depth look at investing in whisky, while Wittenborg will explain the link between the publishing of a book on Whisky and education, especially in the context of programmes in Hospitality, Tourism and Entrepreneurship.

Wittenborg University sponsors various projects linked to education and at the “Whisky Burn” book launch it will also be introducing the new Kenya-Project: Vijana Reloaded. This interesting development project focusing on entrepreneurship adds to Wittenborg’s already strong commitment to developing education for and in Africa.

Attending this unique “Whisky Burn” event is free, as is the "nosing & tasting".  To register, please fill in the online form. 

WUP 15/11/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Led by Chinese students from Wittenborg University, the Apeldoorn branch of the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars in the Netherlands (ACSSNL) was successfully launched last week. ACSSNL is the largest volunteer organization representing Chinese students and scholars in the Netherlands.

The initiative is funded by the Chinese embassy in the Netherlands. The launch brings the number of ACSSNL-branches in the Netherlands to 18, spread all over in the country’s big cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Nijmegen, Groningen and Wageningen.

The chair of the Apeldoorn branch is Wittenborg student Muyiang Liao who is doing an IBA in Financial Services Management and is in the second phase of his studies. Liao said the organization will provide a platform for students to meet and exchange information and also for the embassy to communicate certain information to students such as job opportunities and provide support to the Chinese student community in the Netherlands. Liao first came to Holland in 2009 for studies, then went back to China to work for electric power equipment and technology company CSEPDI before returning to complete his Bachelor at Wittenborg.

The Apeldoorn launch was attended by councilor Johan Kruithof from the Gemeente Apeldoorn and member of Wittenborg’s Executive Board, Maggie Feng. The event was also attended by almost 30 Chinese students, mostly from Wittenborg but also from Saxion University of Applied Science and HAN (Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen).

Feng said the embassy plays a big role in facilitating trade between China and the Netherlands and in identifying suitable places for Chinese companies to set up shop. “This is a great opportunity for Apeldoorn to profile itself.”

Kruithof said Apeldoorn is open to international talent and business. The city is well situated in the centre of the Netherlands, with a strong economy, many business and employment opportunities and, as the green heart of Holland, just about zero smog! His advice to Chinese students is to learn as much Dutch as possible and network with businesses in the region.

ACSSNL’s aim, as stated on its website, is to “constantly improve the Chinese students' experiences in the Netherlands, representing the Chinese student voice effectively to the Dutch society and beyond, supporting student academic and social wellbeing, and providing opportunities for integration of Chinese students in the local Dutch society”.

WUP 20/11/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

It has been almost 3 months since Wittenborg University opened its new location in the heart of Amsterdam where it offers an IBA in Entrepreneurship & Small Business. What are the impressions of the first batch of students after surviving the first 2 blocks of the academic year?

Magnus Andersen, from Oslo in Norway, was in Amsterdam with his dad on business when he visited Wittenborg and “signed up within 2 hours”. “It was a happy coincidence,” he says. “It is really great that the university has 6 entry dates per year.” He chose to study in the Netherlands because Amsterdam is a ‘’city that never sleeps, almost like New York.”

“I also lived in London, which also runs 24 hours a day, but it is too big to travel around quickly. Amsterdam is small but still has a bustling city life. I chose Wittenborg because the classes are small and intimate – I don’t just want to be a number. You also gain knowledge that you can apply.” He plans to follow in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps in the shipping industry after graduation.

Wittenborg encourages 'entrepreneurial mindset'

Coen van Hees, a born-and-bred Amsterdammer, says he chose Wittenborg because he felt the “entrepreneurial mindset” at the university suited him better than the hotel industry for which he trained.

“I really enjoyed the first 2 blocks – especially the module ‘Intercultural Management’, which dives into understanding the minds of people. I also feel very passionate about business,” says Van Hees who has already founded his own company AMS Design and who won a scholarship of €10 000 from Wittenborg earlier this year. Van Hees, who lived for two years in Chicago, says his ambition is to expand his own company and advise other companies on concept design.

Entrepreneurship means leadership, innovation and creativity

Nichola Addo, from Ghana, says: “I was particularly impressed by the way the lessons were taught after following some classes as an observer at Wittenborg Amsterdam. I truly enjoyed the engaging way of teaching whereby students could learn from each other by sharing their unique ideas and thoughts. The school itself suited my charismatic personality and I strongly believe studying at Wittenborg will give me the ability to utilize my gifts and talents.”

Nichola says entrepreneurship to her means leadership, innovation and creativity. “It also means aligning my actions with the inner wisdom of who I really am and what I was born to do. Making something out of nothing!”

Friends all over the world
David Osmukhin from the Ukraine says Wittenborg’s IBA in Entrepreneurship & Small Business is “pretty unique”. “You don’t find the concept in many other universities. Initially I wanted to study in Canada but being in Holland means I can visit my family 3 or 4 times a year.” According to David, obtaining a visa to study in Holland was rather easy. “I only waited about 3 weeks or so after applying.”
He also made friends quickly in Amsterdam.

“I don’t think it’s about the city, but rather your personality when you move to a different country and want to make friends. If you are open, you can make friends anywhere in the world.” One change he suggests the university makes is that language classes are also offered at the Amsterdam location and not only at its headquarters in Apeldoorn.

WUP 25/11/2015

by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University's GREAT-team recently presented their research findings in the field of renewable energy at the Technical Institute Eindhoven (TUE).

After running for 3 years, the EU-funded GREAT-project has its final policy conference in Brussels in September. Now it is presented at various conferences and meetings. Wittenborg University is one of the Dutch partners in this cross-border project which seeks to accelerate the deployment of Smart Grid in North-West Europe.

GREAT (Growing Renewable Energy Applications and Technology), an EU-project under the INTERREG IVB NWE programme, aims to encourage SMEs and collectives of SMEs to develop and apply sustainable renewable energy solutions.

The TUE meeting was part of the Grid Series organized for PhD researchers in the field of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics. The Wittenborg presentation was done by Dr Saskia Harkema. She presented the outcomes of an exploratory research carried out in the Netherlands and Belgium around challenges in the diffusion and adoption of sustainable energy solutions among SMEs. In total 14 attendees came to the meeting.

She also showcased a tool developed for SMEs which helps them to assess pay-back time of investment in Renewable Energy technologies such as wind, solar and heat-pumps. The meeting was organized by Madeleine Gibescu in October.

WUP 30/11/2015

by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

The number of international students who stay in the Netherlands after graduation is double that which Dutch authorities have always believed, a study by the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) has shown.

Five years after graduating in 2008-09, more than 38% of the 7 350 international students still found themselves in the Netherlands. Previously it was thought to be only 19%. Even more encouraging, almost a third (27%) have found jobs and are actively contributing to the Dutch economy.

The analysis by the CBS was done on instruction by EP-Nuffic, the Dutch agency for Internationalisation in Higher Education, as part of its “Make it in the Netherlands” programme which sees the government trying to draw top international talent to the country. Henceforth, an annual stay and work rate analysis will be done of all international students.

Equal pay for internationals and Dutch

Happily, the CBS has also found that after 5 years, international graduates on average earn just about as much as Dutch graduates. Their pay rate over 5 years rose from €16 per hour to €22 per hour.

The study further shows that about 30% of international graduates leave the country almost immediately upon receiving their degree. Two years later, another 20% has left until 5 years later 38% are still in the Netherlands. Nonetheless, those who do decide to leave are still seen as a “formidable group of ambassadors” for Dutch education and society, the study concludes. “Ambitious international students also contribute to the peer-learning effect in increasingly international classrooms.”

The analysis also makes a differentiation between international students from the EER (European Economic Region) who pay the same study fees as Dutch students and those from outside the EU who pay significantly higher institutional fees. The stay rate from students within the EER was 32% while it was 45% from those with non-EU passports.

High stay rate for non-EU students

“We noticed that students from the EER are far less likely to stay than those from outside the EU. This can probably be explained by existing immigration laws which give EER-citizens the freedom to move and work anywhere they want within the region while non-EU graduates are far more restricted. Repatriating costs are also much higher for the latter.”

Finally, graduates from universities of applied science (HBO) – like Wittenborg University – are more likely to stay on in the Netherlands (40%) than those from research universities (37%). This is ascribed to the fact that the average study period in HBO (undergraduate) are generally almost double that of international students at research universities (post-graduate) which leads to a stronger bond with Dutch society and language among HBO students.  It is also believed that internship opportunities probably have a positive effect on job possibilities for international students at universities of applied science.

WUP 3/12/2015

by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Want to start your own business in the Netherlands? From 1 January 2016, start-up entrepreneurs from outside the EU will be granted more time in the Netherlands to develop their idea from paper-plan to fully fledged business. Currently start-ups from outside the EU are granted one year to get their business going and growing, now it has effectively been extended to 3 years - subject to certain conditions.

The Dutch government announced the new regulations this week on its website. "The Netherlands has always been a country of entrepreneurs. They are the engine of our economy and a source of renewal and job creation, thereby making an important contribution to our economy," a government statement reads. The announcement has been welcomed by Wittenborg University that has since September this year been offering its IBA in Entrepreneurship & Small Business at its location in Amsterdam. Many non-EU students are currently in the programme. 

It has been found that entrepreneurs often need more than one year to make their business grow. To prevent the investment made in and by "interesting start-ups" from being lost to the Dutch economy, they will now get 3 years to develop their business.

What are the conditions?

To make sure start-ups are well equipped, certain conditions apply for setting up a business in the Netherlands:

• Sufficient money to support yourself while living in the Netherlands
• An innovative product or service
• A step-by-step plan to develop your idea into a business
• Registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK)

In addition, to apply for a one-year temporary residence permit, applicants need to be sponsored by an experienced Dutch facilitator. After one year the permit can be extended. Applications can be submitted to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The cost to process the application amounts to €307. More information on the conditions for start-ups can be found here.

WUP 31/1/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

This year Wittenborg University is one of 70 Dutch institutes of higher education taking part in the 2016 National Student Survey (NSE), which gives students at Universities and Universities of Applied Science the opportunity to make their voices heard about their study experiences in the Netherlands. This includes full-time and part-time students, whether they are Dutch or international. The survey starts from Monday, 11 January, and the results will be made public in May this year. 

The NSE is a large-scale national survey for students in higher education used to determine their satisfaction levels with the study programmes they are following, their institutes and general student experiences in the Netherlands. In recent years, thousands of students have taken part and Wittenborg hopes even more of its students will do so this year. Similar surveys are done in other countries like the UK, where it is known as the NSS, and it plays a large part in informing education authorities and stakeholders. 

Why Participate in the NSE?

Participating in the NSE here in Holland means students have the opportunity to impact directly the quality of their studies, since the results are used as an advisory tool by policy makers on university and national levels to improve education standards. It is also used as a tool by prospective students to help them determine where they want to study and which programme they would like to follow. Objective information about universities, schools and their course programmes can be used to improve the quality of Dutch higher education. Last, but certainly not least, students can win all sorts of exciting prizes by taking part in the survey.

How can I participate in the NSE?

From 11 January students can expect an email in their inbox inviting them to participate in the National Student Survey. So keep an eye out for that! The email will contain a custom link directing students to a questionnaire which they can fill out straight away. Typical aspects covered in the questionnaire include:

• content of the study programme
• skills acquired
• preparation for a professional career
• teachers and lecturers
• information provided
• study facilities
• testing and assessment
• programme schedules
• study load
• academic guidance/counselling

Over the course of the next three months students will also receive several reminders about filling out the questionnaire. The deadline is 6 March 2016, but Wittenborg wants to encourage its students to start well in advance so they can have ample time to complete the survey.

What are the prizes?

Prizewinners will be announced in April. Participating students stand the chance of winning exciting prizes:

• 5 students will win scholarships towards tuition fees worth €975.50
• 205 students will win a €25 voucher from bol.com

What happens to the results?

The results will be made public in May. Additionally, they will be sent anonymously to students' universities in order to help improve the quality of their programmes. The results are also published on the independent higher education website Studiekeuze123.nl to aid prospective students in choosing a course programme. When the results are in, students can check how their own programme fared on Studiekeuze123.nl.

Who commissions the NSE?

The NSE is organised by Studiekeuze123. This foundation is the result of an initiative of Vereniging Hogescholen (Higher Education Council), NRTO (Dutch Council of Training and Education), VSNU (University Association) as well as the student organisations ISO and LSVb. Research is carried out by the Dutch research institute GfK.

Source: Studiekeuze123

WUP 4/1/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University can proudly look back at 2015 as its most successful year to date, the University’s Chair of the Executive Board, Peter Birdsall, said at its annual New Year’s staff dinner. However, he promised that “2016 will be even better”!

"Quality will be the driving force of 2016 - quality of teaching and classroom experience, quality of students and quality of their output , quality of the student experience," Birdsall said to about 82 guests who attended the dinner comprising of members of the university's Advisory Board, academic staff, support staff and invigilators of both Wittenborg Apeldoorn and Wittenborg Amsterdam. Among them was Wittenborg's Dean of Amsterdam, Timo Timmerman and the University's Academic Dean, Dr Jacques Kaat. The dinner was held at the Hotel Apeldoorn - the Cantharel.

Achievements in 2015

Birdsall said Wittenborg is still very much on track with the business plan which was conceived in 2010 in preparation of its move from Deventer to Apeldoorn. "In January 2015 the big announcement was Wittenborg's second location, Spoorstraat 23, and during the months that proceeded we had a smooth ride from having an old sad run-down school building to the magnificent representative advertisement of a building we have now. The building was opened in August, by a party of local, provincial and national dignitaries which actually included two mayors - the current Mayor of Apeldoorn John Berends and the former Mayor Fred de Graaf, who is an Honorary Lector at Wittenborg." Since then, the university has hosted various business clubs, lobby groups, political parties and even EP-Nuffic and the Dutch Ministry of Higher Education at the new building.

Other highlights of 2015 included incorporating the advice from German accreditation body, FIBAA, that suggested Wittenborg look at its education management structures and the appointment of Dr Jacques Kaat as Academic Dean who brought with him a wealth of experience in private higher education. Soon after followed the appointment of yet another expert in Dutch higher education, Timo Timmerman, as Dean of Amsterdam. "We finally took the big step of heading off to the Dutch Big Apple, opening a magnificent Amsterdam location, headed by Timo and focusing on Entrepreneurship & Small Business," Birdsall said.

More than 70 different nationalities

In 2015 Wittenborg raised its nationality count over 70 and intake was more than 40% up from 2014 with student numbers expected to grow even more in 2016. "Our total full time, part-time and off-site student numbers reached over 500, with more than 400 passing the doors in Apeldoorn. Our website attracts more than 35 000 unique visitors a month compared to about 1800 when we arrived in Apeldoorn in 2010. The Wittenborg University Press team have done a remarkable job writing and publishing more than 140 articles in 2015."

Birdsall also thanked the university's Admissions Team under Student Registrar, Santosh Aryal, for dealing with unprecedented student application numbers. "Certainly 2015 was the greatest team to date, but 2016 will be even better! We will become a team that excels at fair and considered student support, we will become a team that aims to make each classroom experience an inspiring one, and every contact with support staff a pleasurable one."

Meaningful research

Another highlight was the conclusion of Wittenborg's participation in the cross-border EU-funded GREAT-project as one of its major research projects. "Meaningful research is an important part - however contained it might be by our size - of our future development, and in May we started an interesting dialogue with our current Minister of Education, regarding procedures to become a research university, as well as an exchange of ideas on the English usage of the word "University".

Looking forward to 2016

In 2016 Wittenborg plans to launch IBA and MBA variants that will enable it to start education in 3 new areas - Arts & Technology, Health & Social Care and Education - as a first step to developing them into the planned schools. It will also start offering a Master of Sport Business & Management from September.

Student experience "central" in 2016

Birdsall said the 'student experience' will be a central theme in 2016. ''The student experience in and out of the classroom, will be what defines our success, and you, our team are the ingredients to help create that student experience. Students need to leave Wittenborg, proud and confident, well equipped for their future lives, and with memories of a great study experience, both academically and socially and it must be our aim to provide that."

WUP 9/1/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg's International Students Bridge Cultural Gap While Enjoying Great Food at Chinese Cuisine Evening

WUP 13/1/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press