International Students Continue Privileged Access to Dutch Labour Market in 2016

The 2016 salary criterion for highly skilled migrants has just been published by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Salary is considered the most important condition for a highly skilled migrant to qualify for a residence permit.

Highly skilled migrants 

While highly skilled workers aged 30 years and older must earn a minimum gross salary of €4.240 per month (excluding 8% holiday pay) and those under 30 years €3.108, a separate arrangement applies to students who find work within a year of graduating. For such migrants a minimum gross salary of  €2.228 per month is required as of 1 January 2016. This is up slightly from €2.201 last year.

Non-EU students are granted 12 months to look for employment after graduating in the Netherlands. This is the so-called zoekjaar or orientation year. International students have enjoyed privileged access to the Dutch labour market since 2007. Unlike in comparable countries such as Germany and Canada, the Dutch authorities primarily distinguish skilled labour from unskilled labour by looking at graduates' gross income.

Orientation year

During the orientation year, international graduates are free to work in any job without prior approval from the authorities. The orientation year ends precisely 12 months after graduation, so the IND recommends that graduates hand in their paperwork within 4 months of obtaining their Bachelor or Master degree. PhD students on the other hand can commence their orientation year anytime within 3 years of obtaining their degree from a Dutch institute  of higher education.

International graduates can apply for permanent residency once they can prove 5 years of lawful residence along with sufficient Dutch language skills and knowledge about Dutch culture. Half of the years as a student in the Netherlands is counted against the 5-year residence requirement.

Source: IND

Source: The Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration

WUP 17/1/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

What is it like to work in a 5-star hotel with its lavish suites and immaculate service? A growing number of Wittenborg's hospitality students are doing internships at top hotels around the world. One of them is Thiago Silva, who recently completed a work placement at the 5-star Grand Hotel Amrâth in Amsterdam.

Thiago is doing a Bachelor in Hospitality Management (BHM) programme - one of the latest accredited programmes at Wittenborg University. The BHM is a combined curriculum between the IBA Hospitality and the joint EuroBA programme, offered with Wittenborg’s British partner, the University of Brighton.

The BHM requires students to do an extra 12-week work placement period – the so-called in company training – on top of the normal internship of around 5 months. They also have to do an additional 6 hospitality subjects in Year 1.

Wittenborg is user-friendly

Thiago, who hails from Sao Paulo, was one of the first BHM students to complete his in-company training. He will do his internship next year. He says he always wanted to study abroad and when some Dutch friends suggested he try the Netherlands he decided to follow their advice. “I chose Wittenborg because their application procedure was very user-friendly and other universities I applied to took a considerably longer time to respond.” He started his studies in September 2013 and is now between the 2nd and 3rd phases.

Did Wittenborg live up to his expectations? “Yes, definitely. I also considered a hotel school, but they are very service-orientated and teach things that are nice to know, but I wanted to learn the business side of managing a hotel which is what Wittenborg offered. So I am very happy with my choice!”

The 5-star world

He worked at the Amrâth Hotel in high season, from May to August last year, learning to manage employees in the housekeeping department. “I learned a lot and achieved what I set out to do, but working in a 5-star hotel really challenges you. As you can guess, guests have very high expectations!”

What is the most far-fetched request he has had to deal with?

“Too personal to tell!”

Oh, come on.

“Guests will complain if there is a speck of dust on the TV set. If you ever stay in a 5-star hotel, please don’t do that.”

But is that not the reason why people stay in 5-star hotels – to be pampered?

“I guess so. They want quality.”

Nonetheless, Thiago thinks the in-company traineeship is a valuable experience for students. “Especially for students who have no prior experience working in a hotel. They get to see if this is really the career they want to follow.”

Holland is gateway to Europe

According to Thiago it was not difficult to secure the placement. “The vacancy was there and I did the rest.” For his internship next year he would like to work in a hotel closer to where he now stays in Os, near Nijmegen. He also had no trouble finding accommodation as he is living with the Dutch friends who invited him to study in Holland.

After completing his Bachelor he would like to do a Master degree and settle in Holland. “Once I start working I don’t want to take a break to do my Masters. I would like to finish all my studies in one go."

WUP 20/1/2015

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Dutch Student Union Warns Universities Too Picky About Master's Students

Dutch National Student Union, LSVb, has warned Dutch universities have become too picky in admitting students to their master's programmes. The union has subsequently written to the Education Minister, Jet Bussemaker, and the Dutch universities’ association, VSNU.

Many universities have strict requirements. For example, the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), has in recent months announced that even internal students with a bachelor's degree from RSM or from Erasmus University Rotterdam will need a weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of 7.0 or higher to be eligible for any of its master programmes.

In contrast, bachelor students who graduated from Witttenborg University automatically qualify for admission to one of its 4 Master of Science degrees related to their studies. Wittenborg’s Chair of the Executive Board, Peter Birdsall, said: “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. For entry into Wittenborg's MSc programmes or its MBA programme students need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with at least a 6 in the writing component of the test.

Meanwhile, Dutch News reports Bussemaker has pledged to intervene if it transpires that students are finding it hard to get a place to take a master's degree or that selection has had a negative impact on the quality of education. It is considered standard that all Dutch students go on to obtain a master's degree. By contrast, in Britain only around 25% of students (including foreign nationals) take a post-graduate qualification.

Besides Rotterdam, students from the Vrije Universiteit wishing to do a master's in Political Science also need to attain a 7 in their bachelor studies. Additionally, students are required to write a letter of motivation and prove their proficiency in English. The same goes for political science students at Leiden University. Other institutes of higher education in the Netherlands are reportedly considering the same policy.

Source: Dutch News

WUP 23/1/2016

by James Wittenborg

©Wittenborg University Press

Students from Wittenborg University recently had a unique opportunity to visit both the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and the Dutch Central Bank. They were accompanied by Wittenborg lecturer, Melike Almaz who teaches the Pension & Investment module.

Almaz explained that as a University of Applied Science, one of Wittenborg's core responsibilities is to help students understand how the theory they are taught interrelates with business in real life. "When I was assigned to teach the Pension & Investment module, I thought it would be a great experience for students to see the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and the Dutch Central Bank. Since these two organizations play such an important role in shaping the financial markets and economy, it is essential for business students to have a clear understanding of the main roles and activities of these organizations."

During a guided tour of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the group learned about the history and core values of the organization. Then they were briefed about the main stages of initial public offerings and some general information about the AEX Index, followed by an exhibition on tools and documents used in the past. Finally, students got to walk the trading floor, having loads of fun with interactive games, one of which allowed them to act as traders, while another tested one's appetite for risk.

For the second leg of the tour, it was on to the Visitors' Center of the Dutch Central Bank. Almaz said: "We were all impressed with the high quality service and hospitality of the Visitors' Center. Initially we watched a short film about the main roles of the DCB, then we started to play some games which helped us to better understand the roles of the DCB and also visited the exhibition hall."

''From all the games we played, the one we enjoyed the most was when we needed to take decisions about the interest rate movements based on some developments in the market. Each of us was representing an EU member state and collectively we were controlling the interest movements with the pedals under our feet.  At the end of the day, all students were happy and enthusiastic about the things they experienced. They suggested the trip be organized annually." According to Almaz the trip not only served to enrich students' minds, but also strengthened bonds - between themselves and the lecturer. She thanked the Coordinator of Wittenborg's School of Business, Dr Abdul Rauf, for his "open-minded" approach to the trip as well as the students for participating so enthusiastically.

WUP 26/1/2016
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University has been announced as the first institute of higher education to be a supporting partner of event 16 the biggest annual fair for stakeholders in the event industry, in the Netherlands.

The fair takes place on 23 – 24 March at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. It gives professionals in event management, vendors and hospitality companies the opportunity to network. Training institutes, like Wittenborg, are able to showcase their programmes in the event sector.

As with previous Event-fairs, Wittenborg will have an information desk in the exhibition hall. Krista Davelaar, project manager at event 16, said an agreement had been made with Wittenborg University as a supporting partner.  Davelaar said the main thrust of the agreement will be the exchange of information in the event sector. 

Wittenborg Students Popular Worldwide

Marc Liethof, CEO of Eventex which organizes the event, said he is delighted to have Wittenborg on board as a supporting partner and looks forward to working with the university. “The students of this international university are popular worldwide. Its English Master of Science in Event Management prepares students for a wonderful future anywhere in the world."

The event, which was first held in 1999, attracts about 7 500 visitors annually. This year it will run from Wednesday 23 March to Thursday 24 March. Doors open each day from 11am to 7pm. This year the focus will be on the four fundamental elements of events:

• Creation & Design
• Knowledge & Content
• Atmosphere & Taste
• Visuals & Sounds

One of the highlights of event 16 is the Young Professionals Programme on Thursday 24 March taking place in the afternoon at event 16. The programme has been compiled with 3rd and 4th year students from universities of applied science like Wittenborg in mind, as well as young starters in the event industry.

Wittenborg is seen as a key expert in the provision of knowledge and content in the sector. The university offers a unique 1-year Master of Science Programme for existing event specialist and event industry starts. It is seen as one year of giving students an analytical and critical look at the event industry from a practical and academic point of view. The programme is taught by professors from Wittenborg and the University of Brighton in the UK. Graduates gain a UK Master of Science degree in International Event Management. The programme can also be followed part-time over a 2-year stretch. 

Related to the event industry, Wittenborg also offers similar MSc programmes in International Hospitality Management and International Tourism Management. 

WUP 31/1/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University will welcome more than 40 new undergraduate and postgraduate students from a whole host of countries in Block 5 when classes start on Monday. Today about half of those attended the first day of Introduction Week activities which will continue tomorrow. The rest is expected to arrive over the weekend and at the start of next week.

Three of the new students will follow an IBA in Entrepreneurship & Small Business at Wittenborg’s Amsterdam location. Two of them are Dutch. Also among the batch of new students are 5 exchange students from Korea who will study for about 6 months at Wittenborg before returning to Korea. Other nationalities include Russia, Nigeria and Chinese.

One of the new students is Sergiu Rue-ionita from Romania who will do an IBA in Tourism. Before moving to the Netherlands with his American wife and baby last October, Sergiu was an Arts teacher in Romania for about 15 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree but says studying tourism was always his big dream.

Another new student is Joseph Isiramen from Nigeria who will do an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Wittenborg. “You can study Entrepreneurship at lots of other universities, but what makes Wittenborg’s course special is that it also focuses on Innovation. That is the part that attracted me. Before coming to the Netherlands Joseph did an MSc in International Business in Birmingham in the UK and his BSc degree in Switzerland.

Today students had the chance to introduce themselves, their plans and their hobbies before being introduced to the academic system at Wittenborg. They were also given a tour of the university’s two Apeldoorn locations by Wittenborg’s Office Manager, Eva van Herel. The group also had the chance to meet staff and get to know each other at an informal lunch.

Wittenborg’s two programme coordinators, Ms Esther Gitonga and Dr Abdul Rauf, gave students an idea of the academic structure of the programmes. Tomorrow they will learn about the Harvard Reference system as well as attend an Academic English Workshop before completing their English diagnostics test.

WUP 4/2/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

The excitement in the air was palpable on Friday as Wittenborg University celebrated its latest cohort of graduates during the 2016 Winter Graduation Ceremony held at the Apeldoorn City Hall.

A total of 21 graduates, splendid in their traditional black ceremonial gowns and caps, received their hard-earned diplomas in front of family, friends and academic staff. Among them two received Master of Science degrees and 19 their Bachelor degrees in various specializations.

The graduates were given a tremendous send off by Wittenborg's Academic Dean, Dr Jacques Kaat, who told them that the significance of the event should not be underestimated. "There are a number of formative moments in a person´s life and this is one of them. The day you left home, and for some of you, decided to go and study in a strange country was another huge decision and a life changer. I bow to you out of respect for having the guts to do that. Can you imagine where you would have been today if you haven´t done that? Where you go after this and what you will do I don't know but I know it will determine the rest of your life. Some of you might end up in a great career, some may have already started one, some may not be sure while others will go on to do a Master degree or a PhD. But whatever you do, don't stop creating these moments when things change. These moments do not just happen. They happen because you create them. Don't get stuck in a rut, don't get bogged down in a boring job or a boring relationship or in a place where people tell you what to do.''

Jacques Kaat gave an example of the late David Bowie as an example of someone who kept reinventing himself. ''He created more than 9 different personas. Yet, he always managed to stay true to himself. If I could have my life over again, I would insert more of those moments of change, travel more, look out for those opportunities, because life is short...''

The keynote address was delivered by Apeldoorn's vice-mayor, Mark Sandmann, who said the city is proud to have a growing contingent of international students and staff in its midst, enriching life in Apeldoorn with its different cultures. He congratulated the students and the university with its many achievements the past year. "For those who are spreading their wings or going back to their own countries, we hope you had a pleasant experience in our city and will go from here as ambassadors of Wittenborg and Apeldoorn."

WUP 6/2/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

International graduates are not crowding out local jobseekers on the Dutch labour market, research unit Blaauwberg has found. In fact, it warns that without international talent, the Dutch economy will suffer a serious loss in wealth.

Researchers wrote a progress report on the “Make it in the Netherlands” programme which was launched in 2013 with the goal of binding top international graduates to the country’s job market.

“It is not a question of having to divide the cake among more people, but rather about the fact that internationals enlarge the cake. Without internationals the resourcing and expansion of existing companies and the growth of start-ups are seriously impeded or even impossible,” the research which was made public last month has found.

Who employs internationals?

According to Blaauwberg there are two types of companies explicitly looking for international talent:

• Big, international companies focused on export, multilingual and often requiring technical skills – companies like Philips, DSM, Shell and Siemens. “Many internationals only realize after their arrival that these big names only make up a small percentage of the Dutch economy.”
• Start-ups and young, fast growing companies – often found in the creative sector who are not only interested in the multiculturalism of internationals but also their performance-driven attitude and flexibility.

According to Blaauwberg the question is whether internationals feel welcome in the Netherlands and whether SMEs are adequately encouraged to employ them. “Parliamentary debates indicate that the majority of politicians support internationalization of the higher education sector and the labour market. However, conditions around the obtaining of a work permit for non-EU workers signal a red light which limits free access to the job market.”

Currently an employer can only take on someone from outside the EER if he or she can prove that the vacancy could not be filled by anyone within the EER. In addition, the employer has to pay a once-off fee of about €5000 to the IND if they want to employ an international from outside the EU. “This sum is often too high a price to pay for start-ups in the creative sector who wish to employ an international candidate.”

Burden of proof should be on state, not companies

Blaauwberg proposes a revision of the working permit system for internationals. It argues that the burden of proof should be on the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen) as to finding a good alternative for the vacancy within the EER. “The rule should then be that the employer applies for a work permit and it be approved within 3 weeks, unless the UWV can come up with a suitable candidate from within the EER.”

WUP 10/5/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Who are the new CEO's of tomorrow? Wittenborg's Business Development Advisor, Ben Prins, believes they will be students trained at institutes anticipating the new industrial revolution, Smart Industry, and preparing their students accordingly.

"Eat or be (b)eaten," is Prins' stern warning to governments, companies and institutes of higher education that have until now been slow on the uptake. He believes if they don't act now, their economies will not be fit for the future. "It is unavoidable. ICT is the most important driver for production growth."

Never heard of Smart Industry?
Also called the 4th Industrial Revolution, Smart Industry is essentially the digitisation of industry, the growing use of production technology and a network approach. Think of Robotics, 3D printing and Big Data. In other words, a smarter way to make things.

The Global Information Technology Report 2014 shows that while the Netherlands is doing extremely well in ICT, the adoption of new technology can be improved. It also noted that ICT is being used more and more by companies in their contacts with consumers rather than for business to business transactions.

"People still have only a vague idea of what industrial robots can do for their business," Prins says, who also runs his own consultant company, PMC, in addition to his involvement in getting the education sector - especially universities of applied science - up to speed. "People still think of robots as little animated machines playing with the dog. They don't know that a robot can help you with packaging, in ICT, the health sector and even, not so far in the future, at home."

Is education catering for business needs?
Prins believes the education sector has a crucial role to play in preparing students for the fourth industrial revolution. "We should start in education," he emphasizes.

A few institutions have taken up the challenge, including Wittenborg. It is working on a programme aimed at bridging the gap between the innovators of new technology and business managers. Rapid progress has been made and Prins estimates the programme will be introduced in 2017. "We need people who understand both the technical aspects as well as the management side of smart industry. Many companies have their technical engineers, but the latter do not necessarily have sharp business instincts. Or you have innovators who don't know how to market and sell their own innovations. This is where training institutes like Wittenborg come into play."

Prins also believes it is easier for small institutes like Wittenborg to adapt to the changing needs of industry because they can implement changes quicker and have shorter communication lines. However, he insists that industry must be involved in the shaping of content in education so students are properly equipped for the needs of the labour market once they graduated.

After being introduced to Wittenborg by Prins, the Sales and Marketing Manager of ABB Robotics, Martin van der Have, did a Project Week presentation in 2015 at the university giving a fascinating lecture on the use of robotics in industry. ABB is a leading supplier of industrial robots, modular manufacturing systems and service and have worked with Prins since 2008.  He, together with Wittenborg's CEO, Maggie Feng, is also working towards a cooperation agreement between Wittenborg and the Robotics Experience Center in Almelo.

More robots, higher unemployment?
Prins thinks there is still a fear lurking in society that as industrial robots are used more and more, it will lead to higher unemployment. "Especially the unions have trouble with that. But they are wrong." The Smart Industry Report, which explains Smart Industry in the Dutch context, predicts that although automation might lead to initial job reduction, it will not necessarily mean an overall reduction. "History tells us that an increase in labour productivity, tends to lead to additional jobs in other places. Like the manufacturing of the robots that facilitates the automation. A recent ITIF study predicts an increase of about 150 000 jobs in this sector in the US market alone.

"What is certain is that not acting on the opportunities that Smart Industry offers, is very risky. If no action is taken, the Netherlands will lose its competitive innovative advantage. Industrial activities will be shifted to other regions in the world that are more suited to competing on labour costs, resulting in job losses. What is also to be expected is a shift in the demand for the type of worker in the Smart Industry. Although semi-skilled personnel will still be needed, it is expected that fewer of these jobs will be required. Our industry is already facing a shortage in the supply of highly skilled technical workers. Education also does not seem to fit the requirements of the manufacturing industry," the report reads.

Source: http://www.smartindustry.nl/eng/

WUP 18/2/2016

by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Struggling to find an internship? Meet Wittenborg University’s new Work Placement Coordinator, Adrianne Jonquiere-Breure. While in the past students failing to find a suitable internship were often assisted by their tutors, the function has now become more centralised.

With some exceptions, Wittenborg’s Bachelor Degree Programmes generally require students to do an internship in the 3rd year of their studies. Students doing a Bachelor in Hospitality Management (BHM) programme have to do an extra 12-week work placement period, the so-called in-company training, on top of the normal internship of around 5 months.

The goal of the internship is to allow students to apply and supplement the knowledge they have acquired during their academic training, so that students can learn skills that will prepare them for their professional activities, make them more employable, and promote their entrepreneurial abilities. “Students at Wittenborg come from a diverse range of cultures and nationalities so they are often not familiar with the Dutch way of working,” says Jonquiere-Breure.

What is a unique feature of Dutch companies?
“Dutch companies, just like Dutch society, are very egalitarian. You are selected on your abilities, your CV, your motivational letter and not who you know or who your parents are. You have to do it all by yourself and really stand out from the crowd. A lot of students write very general letters of application and send in general CVs while in fact you should research the company you apply for to know what they want and so you can explain why you are an asset to them.

“It is not uncommon for companies to get 50 applications or more for the same job. Right now it is an employer’s market and ultimately they have the last say.”

According to Jonquiere-Breure the ability to speak some Dutch is also an advantage. “Especially if you are looking for a job in Marketing & Communication. Also, if you plan to look for a job in Holland after graduation, it becomes even more important to learn to speak Dutch.”

What additional support can students expect?

One of Jonquiere-Breure’s tasks is to compile and expand the database of companies Wittenborg collaborates with and or have agreements with. “In other words, companies we know will be receptive in helping students to get an internship. The agreement also stipulates that companies at least read through a Wittenborg student job application - even if at first glance it does not look good.  If they reject the application we would also like feedback on what went wrong. We often have companies approaching us to offer jobs, which tells me that people are interested in Wittenborg students.”

However, she warns that it is ultimately still up to the student to secure the job. “First of course, you have to complete the Work Placement Preparation Module. As work placement coordinator I will help you, but not arrange a job for you because it’s part of the learning process – you need to learn how to apply for a job. Of course, if you continually receive letters of rejection, I will help you figure out where the problem is and if someone is in trouble I will also help them.

“That being said, I strongly advise students whose applications are rejected to pick up the phone and call the company for feedback on what the problem was with their application. You will probably learn something from it.”

Right now Jonquiere-Breure is in the process of compiling a work-flow process so that all stakeholders, including staff and students, have a clear idea of what they can expect and how it will work. In the meantime she is also working on a database of companies and forging relationships with them. She can be contacted at adrianne@wittenborg.eu

Adrianne Jonquiere-Breure holds an MSc degree in Real Estate & Housing from Delft University of Technology. She is the founder of JAAN! a project and process management consultancy she started in 2008, which combines concept development with the circular economy, creating a new way of looking at how you make and use products with the idea of repurposing them instead of putting them to waste. She is Dutch but was born in Indonesia and likes travelling – especially the adventurous kind like skiing and hiking.

WUP 24/02/2016
by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University recently received a very special visitor – Lupo Wolfie, mascot of the Giro d’Italia 2016 which is one of the biggest cycling races in the world. On 6 May the race kicks off in the Velodrome Omnisport in Apeldoorn, the city where Wittenborg is located.

Wolfie was in town to drum up support ahead of the Giro d’Italia, so of course he had to look in on one of the most international universities in the Netherlands. He admired Wittenborg's new Spoorstraat building, which was opened last year and especially provides an education centre for the Master degree programmes offerred jontly with the University of Brighton.

Wittenborg offers Master programmes in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management - however in September 2016 wil launch a Master of Science in Sports Business Management, as well as an bachelors' IBA in Sport Business.

The race will be preceded by a side event on 12 March in Apeldoorn, the Giro Fiets Campus, of which Wittenborg is one of the organizers in cooperation with Radboud University and the Hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen (HAN).

Wolfie started his tour of Apeldoorn on Thursday with some coffee, made pizza with the organizer of the pizza del giro contest and wobbled on the Segway at Mediamarkt. He also received a pink bouquet (the official colour of the race) from Intratuin and lots of cuddles at various businesses in Apeldoorn.

The Giro d’Italia draws more than 800 million viewers from 175 countries every year. The province of Gelderland plays host to the first three stages of the races in respectively Apeldoorn, Arnhem and Nijmegen on 6, 7 and 8 May.

More information on the Giro d’Italia 2016 event can be found here.

More information on the degree programme  Master of Science in Sports Business Management can be found here

WUP 29/2/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

A change in permit rules in the Netherlands will give international students an extended period of 3 years to apply for their job search year (the so-called zoekjaar) from 1 March, 2016.

Until now bachelor's and master's students had to apply within weeks of graduating if they wished to remain in the Netherlands to look for a job. Previously it was only PhD students who could apply up to 3 years after graduating.

In addition, the new rules also give students the right to apply multiple times for the orientation year – in other words, for each degree the student completes they will be granted an orientation year.

However, the press officer for EP-Nuffic, Mr Guus Staats, warned that the new regulations will not be imposed retrospectively – in other words, alumni from the past 3 years who declined to make use of the orientation year after graduation will not be able to claim it now. Only those who graduate after 1 March, 2016.

Also as part of the new regulations, it will no longer be necessary for graduates of master’s and doctoral degrees to apply for a work permit during this orientation year, which made it harder for them to find a job.

Staats told Wittenborg News the new regulations show that the Dutch government is committed to attracting and retaining international talent in the Netherlands. EP-Nuffic is the organization tasked with promoting internationalism in Dutch education

“We take a positive view of this new orientation year. Knowledge and talent is welcome in the Netherlands to strengthen our competitive position and knowledge-based economy. That is why the orientation year is being improved. In the context of the action programme “Make it in the Netherlands”, this new regulation is an illustrative example. It shows the Dutch government is focused on attracting and retaining international talent in the Netherlands,” Staats said.

According to him the extension of the actual orientation year to longer than 12 months was not discussed.  In Germany international students get 18 months to look for a job and in Canada it is 36 months. Sweden, on the other hand, only gives them 6 months to look for a job.

In the past few years the Dutch government has taken several steps to attract and retain top international talent. In June 2013, for example, the Modern Migration Policy Act was adopted, thereby simplifying the application procedures for international students wanting to study in Holland. One of the real benefits of the legislation is that residence permits can be granted for longer periods, which means less renewal procedures. In other words, students no longer needed to apply for a residence every year of their studies. 

International students who graduated in the Netherlands, and stay on to look for a job here, also enjoy lower wage requirements.

Staats said: “The orientation year is an interesting option for both the graduate and the employer. During this year, any job may be accepted, also an internship. This means the graduate and employer can both use this period to orientate and to explore their options - in other words finding or offering a job as a highly skilled migrant.”

The Orientation Year permit currently exists in two streams: one for graduates of master’s or PhD programmes in the Netherlands or from top ranked universities abroad, and another for those graduating with any degree from Dutch universities. These streams will be merged as a result of the changes, and new groups will be eligible including scientists who have conducted research in the Netherlands, PIE News reports.

Staats said the new regulations can be summed up as:

• The new orientation year focuses on more groups, for example also researchers.
• You can apply for the new orientation year within 3 years after graduation or finishing research instead of several weeks
• You can apply for the new orientation year multiple times
• No work permit needed anymore 

More information can be found on www.ind.nl and will also shortly be published on www.epnuffic.nl

WUP 3/2/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences will give cycling enthusiasts a taste of what they can expect when the 2016 Giro d’Italia hits Apeldoorn on 6 May by pre-hosting the 'Giro Fiets Campus' (Fiets is Bycyle in Dutch) on 12 March at its Spoorstraat 23 location in Apeldoorn.

The Giro d’Italia is one of the biggest cycling races in the world and draws more than 800 million viewers from 175 countries every year. The province of Gelderland plays host to the first three stages of the races in Apeldoorn, Arnhem and Nijmegen on 6, 7 and 8 May respectively.

The Giro Cycle Campus will take place between 13:00 – 16:00 at Spoorstraat 23. Wittenborg has secured some top-notch speakers for the afternoon. One is Dr Gary Brickley who coaches Britain’s Paralympic Cycle Team, as well as Remy de Wit, head coach of the Dutch Women Basketball Team.

At the Paralympic Games in 2008 Brickley’s team won 8 gold and 1 silver medal. At the invitation of Wittenborg he will talk about the preparation needed to win paralympic gold in cycling. Brickley is also a senior lecturer at School of Service Management and Sport part of the University of Brighton, Wittenborg’s main education partner.

De Wit in turn will provide insight on what can be learned from successful athletes. He will give a glimpse of an athlete’s life, the difficult decisions they sometimes face and what others can learn from that.

During the Giro Fiets Campus lectures will be alternated with practical workshops and experiments. Local businesses will present products associated with cycling or Italy – like pizza! There will also be an opportunity to try out a variety of bikes or try on cycling gear. Visitors will get a free taste of a pink pizza, freshly baked in a traditional wood oven.

The aim of the Giro Fiets Campus is to share scientific knowledge about cycling as a sport, the economics by which it is run and well-being in general. Of course, it also wants to make residents of the Gelderland excited about the start of the Giro d’Italia in their own region.

The management of Wittenborg said it is delighted to be part of promoting the kick-off of the Giro d’Italia in Apeldoorn which will garner international attention for the city, and hopes it will give an excellent start to its new joint programmes in sport.

The Spoorstraat building, which was opened last year, provides an education centre for the master's degree programmes offered jointly with the University of Brighton. Wittenborg offers master's programmes in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management – and in September 2016 will launch a Master of Science in Sports Business Management, as well as a Bachelor's IBA in Sport Business.

The Giro Fiets Campus is held in cooperation with Wittenborg, Radboud University and the Hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen (HAN). Its first edition will be held this weekend, 5 March, in Zuthpen with another on 19 March at dok Zuid in Apeldoorn.

More information on the Giro d’Italia can be found here. 

WUP 3/3/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University attracts students from all over the world. The university's only Albanian student, Gertnisa Ristani, was interviewed about life in the Netherlands and what the Dutch government can do to give international students an even better experience.

Which programme are you following?
I am doing a EuroBA (a unique hospitality management programme, which allows students to study in at least 3 different countries).

Why did you decide to study in the Netherlands?
I wanted to study in western Europe and the Netherlands looked like a good place with warm, friendly people. I also considered England, France and Germany but found their entry requirements for students outside the EU too strict. Here I only waited a week for my study visa.

Why did you choose Wittenborg?
The admissions team was super helpful. I spoke to them on the phone before I came and they were very friendly.

Did you have trouble finding accommodation?
No, I stay in Wittenborg’s Spacebox accommodation.

What has your experience of the Netherlands been so far?
I arrived in October 2015 and so far have enjoyed life here. Although being the only Albanian student is a bit difficult, I have made new friends.

Where do you plan to do your internship?
I think an internship is an opportunity to explore the world and see other countries. I would love to go to Australia or New Zealand, but I would also like to visit some African countries. I find them beautiful! Especially South Africa. Then there is also the Caribbean and Hawaii – I could go on and on!

What can the Dutch government do to give international students an even better experience?
The Dutch government is doing a great job at making international students feel welcome. However, if I can change one thing I would lower study fees for non-EU students slightly. We do not expect to pay the same fees as Dutch students, but institutional fees for students from outside the EU is still pretty high.

Tell us about career opportunities in Albania.
There are plenty of opportunities for hospitality graduates in Albania. It is a beautiful country with magnificent beaches and enchanting forests. My parents own a telecommunication business. It would be great if I could open a business there, but at the same time the country is very poor.

What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to do a master's degree – perhaps even here at Wittenborg. Eventually I would like to be the CEO of a company.

WUP 08/03/2016
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

The mayor of Apeldoorn, John Berends, will be one of the speakers at the Giro Fiets Campus hosted by Wittenborg University at its Spoorstraat location this Saturday, 12 March, from 13:00 – 16:00.

The event serves as forerunner for the 2016 Giro d’Italia, one of the biggest cycling races in the world, which will kick off in Apeldoorn on 6 May. Berends, who also opened the Spoorstraat Building last year, will be speaking at 13:30.

Other prominent guest speakers on Saturday will include Dr Gary Brickley, who coaches Britain’s Paralympic Cycle Team, as well as Remy de Wit, head coach of the Dutch Women Basketball Team.

At the Paralympic Games in 2008, Brickley’s team won 8 gold and 1 silver medal. At the invitation of Wittenborg he will talk about the preparation needed to win paralympic gold in cycling. Brickley is also a senior lecturer at the School of Service Management and Sport, part of the University of Brighton, Wittenborg’s main education partner. De Wit in turn will provide insight on what can be learned from successful athletes. He will give a glimpse of an athlete’s life, the difficult decisions they sometimes face and what others can learn from that.

International contacts are part of Wittenborg

The management of Wittenborg said it is delighted to be part of promoting the kick-off of the Giro d’Italia in Apeldoorn which will garner international attention for the city, and hopes it will give an excellent start to its new joint programmes in sport.

“We have daily interactions with international contacts and the almost 500 students studying at Wittenborg represent more than 70 nationalities,” says the CEO of Wittenborg, Maggie Feng. “In October 2016 we will start a master's programme in Sport Business & Management which is a new programme taught entirely in English for Dutch and international students.” According to Feng, the IBA in Sport Business & Management will lead to the master's degree. The programme is being offered in collaboration with the University of Brighton in the UK. Full-time as well as part-time studies will be possible.

Exciting programme Saturday

During the Giro Fiets Campus lectures will be alternated with practical workshops and experiments. Local businesses will present products associated with cycling or Italy – like pizza! There will also be an opportunity to try out a variety of bikes or try on cycling gear. Visitors will get a free taste of a pink pizza, freshly baked in a traditional wood oven.

The aim of the Giro Fiets Campus is to share scientific knowledge about cycling as a sport, the economics by which it is run and well-being in general. Of course, it also aims to raise awareness and excitement among the residents of the Gelderland for the start of the Giro d’Italia in their own region.

The Giro Fiets Campus is held in cooperation with Wittenborg, Radboud University and the Hogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen (HAN). Its first edition will be held this weekend, 5 March, in Zuthpen with another on 19 March at dok Zuid in Apeldoorn.

More information on the Giro d’Italia can be found here.

WUP 09/03/2016
by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Giro College Tour: Many Career Opportunities in Sport, say two Top International Coaches on Saturday at the Wittenborg event

A good combination of international speakers, interesting workshops and great food made the Giro College Tour hosted by Wittenborg University this weekend an outstanding event. It was held in the run-up to the 2016 Giro d’Italia which will kick off in Apeldoorn on 6 May at Wittenborg’s Spoorstraat location that was decked out in a flurry of pink balloons, banners and stalls offering pink pizzas and warm drinks, bustling with guests, student volunteers, VIP’s and staff.

The mayor of Apeldoorn, John Berends - decked out in a pink tie, matching the colors of the Giro d’Italia - opened the event, thanking Wittenborg for its contribution as the city  gears up to the May-event. According to him there will be more than 1500 side events around the Giro d’Italia in Gelderland province. Wittenborg managed to secure top international sport coaches, Dr Gary Brickley from Britain and Remy de Wit from the Netherlands, who put their motivational skills to excellent use, telling of the many career opportunities awaiting in sport.

Brickley, coach to Britain’s Paralympic Cycling Team and senior lecturer at Brighton University - Wittenborg’s main education partner - talked about what it takes to win gold at a top international level. Brickley’s team won 8 gold and 1 silver at the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and aims even higher for the Rio Games later this year. De Wit, who is head coach for the Dutch Women Basketball Team, in turn highlighted the elements needed to shape an athlete at a young age from a potential into a professional sports star.

Brickley talked about the harsh realities and physical obstacles facing Paralympic athletes who wants to reach the top, but also the sweetness of their eventual triumph and how it inspires him as their coach. He listed the various roles he has to play as coach - including advising on doping control in sport and nutritionist, admitting the fine line that has to be walked between the two. According to him none of his athletes has ever been caught doping. “The challenging part for me as coach is that each athlete is different, but I also enjoy trying to get the best out of that person. It takes a lot of organizational skills.”

The event also served as an introduction to Wittenborg’s new MSc in Sport Business & Management, a programme taught entirely in English for both Dutch and international students. It will be offered from October 2016. According to Wittenborg’s CEO, Maggie Feng, the IBA in Sport Business & Management will lead to the master's degree. The programme is being offered in collaboration with the University of Brighton in the UK. Full-time as well as part-time studies will be possible. Brickley said the continual interest in sport will ensure many interesting career opportunities - including in marketing, sport products and other businesses. De Wit talked about how to prepare athletes from a young age to reach the top. According to him an athlete’s sporting life needs to be balanced with education and lifestyle. With various models and examples he gave a glimpse of an athlete’s life, the difficult decisions they sometimes face and what others can learn from that.

WUP 14/3/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press

The Netherlands proved its universities are some of the best in Europe by getting a high rating in the recently released Times Higher Education European University Top 200 Rankings 2016.

The Netherlands received special mention not only because of the high number of English-taught programmes offered, but also because of its relatively easy visa procedures for international students.

Holland is ranked 5th among European countries in terms of the sheer number of universities it has in the top 200, which is 13.  With an impressive 12 universities among the top 100 universities on the list, the Netherlands is outranked there only by the UK (31) and Germany (20). The Netherlands has 6 universities in the top 25 of the list.

British universities did the best in Europe, not only capturing the top 3 places on the Times Higher Education (THE) list but also boasting 7 universities in the top 10. However, the tough new visa rules Britain implemented last July has marked the country as a “difficult and unattractive” place to study for international students. For instance, the Independent newspaper reports that business school student intake from outside the UK fell sharply by 9% last year.

THE’s rankings editor Phil Baty said in his report the list shows that European universities can easily compete with Britain. According to EP-Nuffic he singled out the Netherlands and Germany as exceptional alternatives for international students because of the high number of English-taught programmes being offered. Visa procedures are also deemed less complicated than in the UK. “While traditionally the UK was the top choice for students from China and India, it now faces healthy competition. That has the potential to completely change the future of some institutions,” Baty said.

The highest ranked Dutch university is Wageningen University (14) followed by the University of Amsterdam (19) and the University of Utrecht (20). Wittenborg is jointly supervising a PhD student, Esther Gitonga, with Wageningen. Gitonga is the coordinator of Wittenborg’s School of Hospitality & Tourism.

WUP 16/3/2016

by Anesca Smith
©Wittenborg University Press

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is this week in Moscow, attending the ICEF workshop. Yesterday, WUAS director Peter Birdsall entertained students of the Moscow State University Business School with a presentation on his entrepreneurial experience, entitled in Russian, 'Добро пожаловать в мир моего предпринимательского опыта'. (Pronounced Dabro pazhalovat v mir mayevo predprinimatelskovo opyta) - 'Welcome to my entrepreneurial experience'.

The presentation, given in English, focused on his career as an entrepreneur and related to the concept of the 'experience economy'.

The event was organised by the Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO), whose director Mr Jerke Verschoor accompanied Birdsall throughout the day.  In the evening a second 'performance' was given to around 70 visitors at the Russian State Library for Foreign Literature, where NESO Russia is located.

Using a style reminiscent of tongue in cheek British comedy, Birdsall's presentation led the audience from his first venture, the theatre company Tickled Pink, through various enterprises that he has been involved in, including an English Pub in Switzerland and a restaurant in the Netherlands.  The story then arrived at the point where Wittenborg, developed from a Dutch-speaking local business school to the international and intercultural foundation university of Applied Sciences it is today.

The audience was encouraged to keep their smartphones in hand, and continue to use social media during the presentation, which included several interactive moments. Birdsall asked the participants questions and got them to take pictures and films and post them on social media - all part of sharing the experience.

Throughout the presentation, Birdsall related his entrepreneurial experiences to the concept of an experience economy, taking commodities, products and services and creating an experience for customers. Birdsall also compared study abroad campaigns, using online advertising to 'sell the experience' - Study in the UK, Study in Switzerland and Study in Holland - the audience was 'convinced' that the Study in Holland campaign was superior!

After the presentation, Wittenborg and NESO entertained the audience with drinks and snacks and answered many questions and provided the odd souvenir 'selfie'!

This weekend, Birdsall is attending the ICEF Moscow Workshop where he will be meeting over 50 study abroad agents from Russia and surrounding countries.

WUP 18/3/2016

by Wittenborg and others

©Wittenborg University Press

It is one of the highlights on Wittenborg University’s calendar: The annual trip its Master of Science students make to the United Kingdom.

This year 13 students participated in the 4-day trip – excited to see the British capital, London, and to visit the Eastbourne campus of Wittenborg’s main education partner, the University of Brighton. They were accompanied by the coordinator of Wittenborg’s School of Hospitality and Tourism, Esther Gitonga, and event officer, Myra Qiu, who is an MSc student herself, specializing in International Event Management.

The group arrived early on Thursday at Gatwick Airport, immediately boarding a train for Brighton which is about an hour’s ride south of London. After all the traveling they spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the lovely English seaside town.

Friday everyone was up early and ready to go to the University of Brighton in Eastbourne where they attended classes, met lecturers and students.  In the afternoon to London via Victoria Station were free to explore the London nightlife.

Saturday morning was reserved to take in the great sights that make London one of the top tourist destinations in the world. This included a trip to Buckingham Palace, Westminster to visit the Houses of Parliament and of course gawk at the iconic Big Ben clock tower as well as Westminster Abbey.

This was followed with a magnificent boat trip on the Thames from Westminster Pier down to the Tower of London, seeing the great London Eye Ferris Wheel in the distance. Of course, no trip to London would be complete without some shopping in Oxford and Regent Street which students were able to do Saturday afternoon.

The trip was rounded off on Sunday morning with some free time before everyone flew back to Holland later that day.

What was students’ impression of the UK? There were some special praise for the time spent in Eastbourne. “I truly enjoyed the UK trip. It is a once in a lifetime experience to see the Brighton campus,” said Lily Rubio, a Mexican student.

Another, Hannah Potuijt from the Netherlands, said the view of the (sea) shores were magnificent. “It was beautiful to spend the night in Eastbourne.”

Many of the students are nearing the end of their Master studies at Wittenborg and thought the trip was a good way to round off their studies.  “Whenever we go on a trip with classmates, things are always funnier. It is great that we can study and have fun together. This trip is the perfect ending for our studies,” said Min Zhou from China.

Ibukunoluwa Jimo from Nigeria said: “I had an awesome experience in London and also enjoyed walking on the beach. It was a nice way to relax after a great academic year.”

“It was a great experience to visit Brighton, London and Eastbourne,” said Yanina Lyurova from Russia.

As an important education provider for the event industry, Wittenborg University made sure its presence was felt at event16,  the biggest annual fair for stakeholders in the event industry of the Netherlands.  

The fair started today (23 March) and will last until tomorrow at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. Wittenborg students who register for the event will still be able to attend for free. The Young Professionals Programme – on Thursday between 15:30 – 17:00 – will be of particular interest to event students and young start-ups as it will provide plenty of insight from professionals and an opportunity to make contacts in the event industry.

Earlier this year Wittenborg was announced as the first institute of higher education to be a supporting partner of event16. As with previous events, Wittenborg had information ready about its programmes, including the Master in International Event Management, handed out by university students at the fair. 

Wittenborg’s Chair of the Executive Board, Peter Birdsall, was one of the speakers today covering the latest trends in the industry and challenges to its growth. He said 80% of event planners worldwide are expecting the industry to grow in 2016. However, he highlighted that one of the anticipated challenges to growth will be that clients are expecting a lot more for their money.

“Customers have got used to the discounts and ‘additional extras’ used by event planning companies, venues, hospitality locations and vendors during the recession and now see this as normal business. So although event budgets are growing, so are expectations of ‘added value’”.  Birdsall added that getting qualified, capable staff will also be a challenge for the future as well as budget management and cost of venues.

Birdsall also said “drenching” will continue to define events in 2016. “Drenching” is seen as the process of making attendees feel like they own the space and content being presented. This includes:

• Using technology that allow attendees to interact and participate with content, technology that give them unplanned experiences and also technology that give them the opportunity to influence the planning of an event
• Flexible venues that are “technology-ready”
• Tools that create “two-way” communication during an event like beacons and event-specific wifi
• Off-line connectivity – in other words, technology that create a micro social network
• Creating events that mesmerize attendees and make them highly involved during the whole event

Event16 attracts around 7 500 attendees per year. Wittenborg is seen as a key expert in the provision of knowledge and content in the sector. The university offers a unique 1-year Master of Science Programme for existing event specialist and event industry starts. It is seen as one year of giving students an analytical and critical look at the event industry from a practical and academic point of view. The programme is taught by professors from Wittenborg and the University of Brighton in the UK. Graduates gain a UK Master of Science degree in International Event Management. The programme can also be followed part-time over a 2-year stretch. Related to the event industry, Wittenborg also offers similar MSc programmes in International Hospitality Management and International Tourism Management. 

WUP 23/03/2016

by Anesca Smith

©Wittenborg University Press