Wittenborg University News

Wittenborg University has launched a special webpage with details of its 25 year anniversary celebrations detailing the events to be held on November 7th, November 8th, and November 9th. 

Events Banenmarkt / Student Job Fair (7 November) - Companies meet students Open Seminars & Networking Event (8 November) - Diversity and Innovation Gala Evening (9 November) - A celebration Gala for Wittenborg students, staff, friends and relations 

 

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with 3 days of events from 7th to 9th November 2012 in Apeldoorn.

Last month, Mr Fred de Graaf, President of the Dutch Senate, (see video frame) unveiled the new Wittenborg 25 Years logo at a ceremony in August, announcing the events to be held in November.

A Celebration Gala will be the final event during a week in which students, staff, and partners from business, education and the professional field will be invited to take part in a number of special events, seminars and workshops.

Go to: 25.wittenborg.eu for more information

 

Related Content: 25th AnniversaryWittenborg 2525 YearsTickerText: Launch of Wittenborg 25 Year Anniversary Celebration Website

As the Dutch Election is held today, WUP looks at what the election means for Wittenborg University, in the immediate and the long-term future. Issues such as higher education and immigration are extremely important for an international institute such as Wittenborg University, but also a good image of the Netherlands in Europe, and world-wide is essential. 

Wittenborg is an institute with around 250 students, staff and guest lecturers, and currently counts over 50 nationalities, some with double passports, which means that although the Dutch election is an important event, many at Wittenborg are not eligible to vote in the Netherlands. For instance, board members and Wittenborg University directors Peter Birdsall (UK / Swiss) and Maggie Feng (China), although actively involved in the lobby for a level playing field in higher education between funded and non-funded institutes are, of course, not eligible to vote.

Maggie Feng: “It’s rather strange to watch someone else’s party, while feeling that the result is so important for the growth of institutes such as ours, and therefore hoping that certain people manage to hold their positions, thus ensuring long-term stability. For instance, many issues in higher education were being discussed before the fall of the Dutch cabinet, including a new accreditation system (the 3rd since I’ve been at Wittenborg) and proposals for a number of ‘quality improvement’ regulations, partially as result of the In-Holland affair, some of which we are in agreement and some not. I must say that we were generally very impressed with State Secretary Zijlstra, his clear communication and dynamic proposal- even though we didn’t always agree with them – central examining for instance."

"Together with the other non-funded higher education institutions, through our national representation the NRTO, we signed an excellent covenant with the State Secretary, which paved the way for a much improved level playing field, especially in the way that the Dutch Ministry of Education communicates about its non-funded institutions. The results of the covenant were immediately clear, with the addition of privately funded institutions to the list of Chinese Government recognized Dutch Higher Education institutes, leading to an immediate rise in the number of Chinese applicants, to Wittenborg. I look forward to the current policy makers continuing their work and getting the chance to create a dynamic and excellent Dutch Higher Education that will attract better and better students from around the world.”

Peter Birdsall: “The Netherlands has always been a most internationally orientated country, with export and trade being essential to the economy – Wittenborg thrives in the international environment in Holland, and sees a central position in the development of a stronger European economy as key to the re-establishment of confidence in the Dutch economy. Wittenborg needs an environment that promotes value-added immigration and stimulates knowledge migrants, but also understands that most international students return home, or proceed to other countries, and can best do so with the Netherlands, its culture and its economy, truly at heart. There is no better investment in the future of the Netherlands than having generations of international graduates with good knowledge of the Dutch economy, business and trade."

"A level playing field for higher education institutions, an increased investment in actual knowledge-driven education, stimulation of higher qualified lecturers, a sobering of higher education mergers and out-of-hand management structures, and an increase of achievement standards for students are all things that would benefit Wittenborg.  In conclusion, I would say that the Netherlands does not need the ranting of the far right, or the experiments of the far left, but a stable government that will look at the issues from a fair, but business-like perspective.”

 

WUP 12/09/2012

©Wittenborg University Press

TickerText: The Dutch Vote

Apeldoorn is one of the ICT centres in the Netherlands and boasts numerous companies and organisations from the private and public sector who offer ICT services or solutions. Companies such as HITT (Holland International Traffic Technology), Be-Informed, and government organisations such as Belastingdienst (Netherlands Tax Office) and Kadaster (Netherlands Land Registry) fuel a growing need for local HRM investment in the ICT management profession.

Especially important for Wittenborg are the internationally operating companies such as HITT, who have offices around the world, including North America and China, and operate fully in English, however also the organisations who are locally orientated can benefit from the global input that Wittenborg graduates can bring, in the form of work placement, research projects and possibly as knowledge migrants. This programme will help promote the ideal that Wittenborg University is a globally orientated institute, committed to acting locally.

The ICT Business Administration will focus on bringing students with a technical or mathematical background knowledge and competencies about the management of projects and processes within an organisation, introduce students to financial planning and strategic management, as well as provide modules looking at ICT implementation within different sectors. During the programme, students will also be encouraged to develop their ICT skills and competencies, through modules that look at the current trends and technology being used by companies and organisations in the Netherlands.

 

WUP 07/09/2012

©Wittenborg University Press

Links: http://www.apeldoorn-it.nl/

See also: Apeldoorn IT News

HBO-opleidingen starten in Apeldoorn

 

ROC Aventus en Wittenborg starten het komende studiejaar met HBO-opleidingen op ICT-gebied. ROC Aventus begint in samenwerking met Saxion een Associate Degree programma (tweejarig HBO), terwijl Wittenborg een volledig bachelor programma gaat aanbieden.

Apeldoorn-IT is in gesprek met beide opleidingsinstituten. Het streven is om te komen tot een convenant waarin afspraken gemaakt worden over de inhoud van de studie, gastdocentschappen en stageplaatsen.

Related Content: ICT Business AdministrationIBATickerText: Wittenborg to offer top-up postgraduate programme in ICT Business Administration from 2013

30-08-2012 - FIBAA - The Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation -  awarded a 5 year, unconditional accreditation to Wittenborg University’s “International Business Administration” (BBA) programme with the eight specialisations of Economics and Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing and Communications, Financial Services Management, Information Management, Real Estate Management, Logistics and International Trade and Entrepreneurship & SME Management.

Exceptional 

Many aspects in the accreditation criteria was deemed as “Exceeding Quality Requirements” and student support and tutoring / student coaching, was awarded the mark “Exceptional”!

Wittenborg is the first Dutch University to gain the German FIBAA accreditation for a Bachelor programme.

FIBAA ACCREDITATION

When the Accreditation System was established in Germany, FIBAA was founded in 1994 and hence became one of the first agencies to be accredited by the German Accreditation Council. Since 2002, it has been entitled to award the Seal of the Accreditation Council for degree programmes in Germany.  The accreditation of degree programmes is an internationally-established quality assurance process in the higher education sector. It serves to maintain fundamental standards in terms of the contextual and structural design of educational offerings, to secure the comparability of various study offerings at national and international level, and to facilitate the international recognition of academic achievements and degrees.

FIBAA is recognised as a quality assurance agency not only in Germany, but also in Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. 

Double Accreditation

German FIBAA accreditation of Wittenborg University’s IBA comes only one week after the Dutch NVAO accreditation, and is part of a unique process of double accreditation, in which one programme has been evaluated by the same panel using two different national accreditation systems and criteria (German and Dutch). This is the first time that a University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands has achieved a double accreditation of a Bachelor Undergraduate programme using two internationally recognized, however nationally distinct systems.

FIBAA accreditation, along with the earlier achieved University of Brighton validation for its MSc programmes increases the internationality of the institute in Apeldoorn, and makes its degree awards even more appealing to internationally minded Dutch and non-Dutch students.

WUP 31/08/2012

©Wittenborg University Press

See also:

NVAO Accreditation: http://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-university-applied-sciences-gains-positive-decision-nvao-programme-accreditation.htm

FIBAA Accreditation: http://www.wittenborg.eu/fibaa-accreditation.htm

Sources: http://www.fibaa.org/en/welcome-page.html

Related Content: FIBAANVAOAccrediationTickerText: Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences receives FIBAA Accreditation for its IBA Bachelor Programme

A barbecue at the SpaceBoxes, a special form of student hosing in the centre of Apeldoorn, attended by staff and students – saw an enjoyable mix of nationalities enjoying themselves, also starting the discussion and debating process which is common to Wittenborg University students.

A moment of social interaction and relaxation for a group of Wittenborg University students as they prepare for the full academic start to the year, which started today with tutoring and introduction sessions for undergraduate IBA students.

 

WUP 22/08/12

©Wittenborg University Press

Related Content: SpaceBoxesStudent EventsStudent UnionTickerText: discussion at Wittenborg University barbecue August 2012

Apeldoorn has thrown open its doors to welcome new University students to the town during a day of welcome festivities. Students from Wittenborg University, Saxion University and the Theological University were welcomed to the town by Alderman Johan Kruithof, and the day was followed by a series of activities ending in an evening of drinks and dance.

According to a spokesman of the City of Apeldoorn, “there were more than 100 students at the welcome speech, held at the city hall by the alderman, and clearly many of them were speaking English!”

Wittenborg first started a full Introduction Day to Apeldoorn in 2010, and through the newly launched website “whatsapeldoorn”, the local education platform that represents local higher and further education institutes, such as Aventus and Saxion, many more activities are planned in the future.

Currently Apeldoorn has around 1000 University students and 8000 further education students.

Wittenborg University hopes that the website could develop into something that represents the serious study possibilities in the city of Apeldoorn, and that the increasing numbers of institutes and students

WUP 23/08/12

©Wittenborg University Press

Sources: http://www.destentor.nl/regio/apeldoorn/11611433/Nieuwe-website-voor-studenten-in-Apeldoorn.ece

http://www.destentor.nl/regio/apeldoorn/11546454/Welkom-voor-nieuwe-studenten-Apeldoorn.ece

In the picture taken and published by the Stentor Newspaper, Apeldoorn edition, a group of international students is seen at the welcome day in Apeldoorn.

Related Content: ApeldoornWhat's ApeldoornBuitenlandse StudentenTickerText: Apeldoorn Welcomes New University Students

On 23 August 2012, the Netherlands Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) has issued a positive accreditation decision regarding the IBA programme and its 8 pathways (specialisations) in, Economics & management, Hospitality Management, Marketing & Communication, Financial Services Management, Information Management, Real Estate Management, Logistics & International Trade and Entrepreneurship & SME Management.

The IBA programmes were first accredited by NVAO in 2006, and at that time only the specialization's Economics & Management and Banking & Insurance were offered. The new NVAO accreditation is valid from 18 October 2012 until 17 October 2018.

Management of the assessment process  and formation of the programme assessment panel was done by FIBAA, the Swiss-German accreditation organisation, based in Bonn, Germany. FIBAA, the Foundation for International Business Administration Accrediation was founded in 1994 and hence became one of the first agencies to be accredited by the German Accreditation Council. Since 2002, it has been entitled to award the Seal of the Accreditation Council for degree programmes in Germany.

The (re) accreditation of Wittenborg and its Bachelor of International Business Administration programmes is a process that has taken almost 2 years, involved more than 30 members of staff, and up to 60 students directly, and looked not only at the content of the programme, but also at its staff and resources, staff development, programme development in an international, but also Dutch context, student support and services, its marketing, its exam systems, its overall institutional quality system, its student recruitment, and its student achievement (graduation versus dropout rates). A series of graduation dissertations (14 in all) were actually re-marked by the panel to compare results, but also evaluate marking systems.

Wittenborg's graduation dissertations were found to be in order, with marks from the panel being comparative to those of the original markers. The dropout rate at Wittenborg was found to be under 30%, far below the national average.

Areas that stand out in the current assessment are Curriculum and Qualifications of Incoming Students (Good), Accommodation and Facilities (Good), Tutoring and Student Information Provision (Excellent) and Internal Quality Assurance (Good). All other facets were deemed as satisfactory according to Dutch and European standards.

An overview of the findings per facet are shown below:

 

WUP 23/08/12

©Wittenborg University Press

Links

http://www.nvao.net (Dutch)

http://nvao.com/ (English)

http://www.fibaa.org/en/welcome-page.html (English)

http://www.fibaa.org/de/startseite.html (German)

Related Content: IBAAccrediationFIBAANVAOTickerText: Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences gains a Positive Decision on NVAO programme accreditation IBA

Launch of Wittenborg 25

Today, Mr. Fred de Graaf, President of the Senate of the Netherlands’ Parliament reveals Wittenborg University’s 25th Anniversary logo, to launch the run-up to the celebrations on November 7th, 8th and 9th, 2012.

Fred de Graaf was Mayor of the city of Apeldoorn from 1999 to 2011 and supported the move of Wittenborg from its original home town of Deventer, to its new location in Apeldoorn in the summer of 2010.

The 25th anniversary celebrations will be concluded with a Wittenborg University Gala, to be held on November 9th. 

Honorary Professorship

De Graaf was presented with an Honorary Professorship by Wittenborg directors Peter Birdsall and Maggie Feng, at his leaving reception in Apeldoorn on 30th September 2011, and will give one or two guest lectures per year at Wittenborg

WUP 23/08/12

©Wittenborg University Press

Related Content: ApeldoornWittenborg 25TickerText: Mr. Fred de Graaf, President of the Senate of the Dutch Parliament reveals Wittenborg University’s 25th Anniversary logo

On Wednesday 29th August, an introduction day for University students will be organised in Apeldoorn, for students of Wittenborg University, the Theological University and Saxion’s Hotel School that is also situated in the city. The day has been organised by the Education Platform of Apeldoorn (Onderwijsplatform Apeldoorn), a discussion group representing the three higher education institutes together with the colleges of ROC Aventus, Fotovakschool, Helicon and Hoornbeek College.

The day’s events will be launched by Alderman Johan Kruithof who will give a welcome speech to the new Apeldoorn students. The Alderman will officially launch the new Education Platform of Apeldoorn website, whose target is the students of Apeldoorn. The launch will be supported by entertainment from Holland’s Got Talent finalists 'ComeCorrect, a breakdance crew from Apeldoorn.

After the opening, all students will be offered a free lunch at the City Hall, which will be followed by a game of “speed-dating” between students from the different institutions.

In the afternoon, sports have been organised at the central city park (Oranjepark) followed by a city tour, followed by a snack.

The day will be completed with a Unique University Party at discothèque Manzo situated on the Caterplein in the city centre.

All Wittenborg University students are welcome to join the festivities! WUP 22/08/12

©Wittenborg University Press

 

 

Related Content: international studentsApeldoornStudent UnionTickerText: Welcome day for new students in Apeldoorn, organised by an association of education instiutes and the municipality of Apeldoorn.

(by Wittenborg University Lecturer, Bob Dyson)

As part of the module distribution and transportation, 16 Wittenborg students registered for a study visit to the distribution center Dekamart in Appeldoorn. This DC handles the distribution of non-perishable products for both Dekamart and Dirk van den Broek supermarkets in the Apeldoorn area of the Netherlands.

Employing a total of 68 full and part-timers, they handle between 300 and 500 pallets per day and can store between 1250 and 4500 different articles.

Mr. Marco Kamperman, the DC’s manager explained the whole process to the students and was able to answer their numerous questions.

The re-cyling system for glass, plastics and carton was of particular interest and brought the whole process of sustainability into focus for the students.

As one student said “The visit was really interesting. Having read about and discussed the whole theory of logistics, order-picking, routing, stock control systems etc, we were able to actually see the whole process first hand”. Another student added that the visit made the whole module come alive for her.

One of the students was so impressed by the organisation that she promptly applied fora n internship to do her graduate assignment in this field.

Related Content: ExcursionsWork Placement

Debbie Kuang Fund - Wittenborg University will offer 6 scholarships in 2013-2014 through the Orange Tulip Scholarship, (OTS) organized and promoted by NESO in China for top-talent Chinese students wishing to study in the Netherlands.

The Scholarships, totalling 55,000- euro in fee waivers have been made available as part of the Debbie Kuang Fund, set up last May in memory of Chinese student Kuang HuiHong (Debbie) who lost her fight with cancer earlier this year.

Orange Tulip Scholarship China Programme

The OTS China Programme was launched in September 2008, and has been running successfully since. The scholarship programme helps to create opportunities for ambitious and talented Chinese students to study in the Netherlands. The OTS programme was established by NESO China in close cooperation with the economics department of the Dutch Embassy, and has received continuing support from Dutch higher education institutions, and from China-based Dutch companies.

Wittenborg, under part Chinese management, has strong ties with Beijing and Shanghai and is listed on the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Education, as an officially recognised higher education institute in the Netherlands. (http://www.jsj.edu.cn/index.php/default/index/sort/12025)

According to Wittenborg University Trust board member Maggie Feng, Wittenborg is proud to be able to bring its Dutch higher education together with the foundation’s international roots, providing academic programmes and partnerships from the UK (in partnership with the University of Brighton), and creating strong partnerships with the Shanghai Business School and the Shanghai Finance University in China: “We had a very sad start to the summer, with the death of our Chinese student Debbie, and I am now very pleased that the fund we instigated in her memory can be launched with these 8 scholarships through the NESO’s OTS programme. ”

In comparison with other scholarships offered by Dutch organizations, the OTS programme is a special one, only open to Chinese qualified students. According to the NESO’s website, for the academic year 2012-2013, the total value of the OTS programme reached amounts around 300,000 Euros (about 3 million Yuan) . Around 30 excellent Chinese students benefited from the programme to obtain a bachelor or master’s degree in recognized Dutch universities, financed by OTS sponsors.

The OTS programme for 2013-2014 will be launched by NESO in September and applications can be made through the NESO’s website at http://www.nesochina.org/chinese-students/information-in-english/scholarships/OTS_welcome

WUP 17/08//2012

©Wittenborg University Press

Source: http://www.nuffic.nl/en/scholarships/orange-tulip-scholarship-programme

Related Content: Chinachinese studentsScholarshipsOTS

According to the latest report by the Dutch Ministry of Education (NUFFIC) the numbers of international students in the Netherlands have again slightly increased in the 2011-2012 academic year. Highlights of the report show an overall decrease in the numbers of German students studying in the Netherlands and an increase in the numbers of students from so-called “crisis countries”, such as Greece, Italy and Spain.

In total, NUFFIC counted 87.100 international students studying in the Netherlands, with numbers of UK students in Holland having also increased, with Germans fulfilling the number one slot (26.050), followed at a distance by China (5.700), Belgium (2.900), Spain (2.200) en France (2.150).

The increase was mainly due to an increase in International Students choosing Master programmes.

Wittenborg University has an ever growing, diverse and multi-cultural student and staff body, now representing more than 50 nationalities.

WUP 14/08/2012

Dutch text: http://www.wittenborg.eu/meer-buitenlandse-studenten-nederland.htm

Related Content: international studentsMasterMsc

Funded education sets a 5 year term for Dutch and EU students: more than 2000  students (5%) to drop out of their studies at InHolland University this year, according to their Chairman of the Board, Doekle Terpstra, on Monday. According to Terpstra, many students who have studied more than 5 years in their Bachelor phase will be charged higher fees of just under 5000 euro per year, and due to the fee increase will drop out.

The so-called “Longterm Study Fine” (Langstudeerdersboete) for Dutch and EU students is aimed at bringing down the costs of higher education in the Netherlands. Wittenborg University students are not affected by this regulation, as they already pay non-funded fees of 6300 euro per year.

Dutch funded Universities have, for many years, been confronted with high drop-out rates in the first year of a chosen programme, with some degrees such as International Business suffering a dropout rate of more than 50% in year 1. Non funded schools such as Wittenborg University have a much lower dropout rate from Bachelor programmes (around 25%) and the Dutch government has seen a need to charge all Dutch and EU Bachelor students full fees after 5 years of study. Non-EU students all pay full fees at all institutions in the Netherlands, and are therefore not affected.

According to Maastricht University “The Dutch government has adopted the bill on langstudeerders, i.e. students who take too long to complete their studies. As of 1 September 2012, these students will be required to pay increased tuition fees.  Therefore, if you are taking a three-year bachelor's and you do not complete your degree within that time period, then an extra fourth year (whole or part of) will be charged at the usual tuition fee rate. However, if registering for a fifth year then the higher tuition fee rate will apply. For 2012/13, the government has set this increased fee at €4834. Likewise, if you are taking a one-year Master Degree and you do not complete your degree within that time period, then an extra second year (whole or part of) will be charged at the usual tuition fee rate. However, if registering for a third year then the higher tuition fee rate (€4.834) will apply.

WUP 12/08/2012

Sources:

Trouw: http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4492/Nederland/article/detail/3300495/2012/08/13/Langstudeerders-haken-af-bij-Inholland.dhtml?utm_source=RSSReader&utm_medium=RSS

Maastricht University: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/show/id=5355355/langid=42

Related Content: Dutch Higher Education

With the main Olympic Games in London now finished, the medal tables are complete, and many newspapers are looking at the standings in the medal table from different perspectives, such as results in relation to country size, GDP, etc. Wittenborg staff also decided to make its own London 2012 Olympic medal table based on which countries represented its staff, lecturers and students: the "Wittenborg 2012 Medal Table" is published below!

Wittenborg is a small business university, under British and Chinese Management, also with strong links to Switzerland and Austria. Its students and staff total around 200, and with 6 intakes of students a year, numbers and nationalities change throughout the year. The 200 people at Wittenborg are made up of around 50 nationalities, representing 5 continents. This is what makes Wittenborg University so international and culturally diverse.

The tables below are based on student and staff nationalities, and dual citizenship according to the past 12 months, up to the September and October intake of 2012. Wittenborg students and staff saw 32 of their countries gain medals at the London Olympics. 18 Wittenborg nationalities were not represented, saving their glory for other sports such as cricket, football (soccer), skiing, and kabaddi!

Related Content: nationalities

Discussions on the funding of higher education in Europe continue, with now questions being raised in the UK parliament regarding the loans given to EU student s to study in the UK.

Undergraduate EU students at UK Universities are entitled to the same loan schemes as UK students. With the introduction of 9000 pound fees as of September this year, the amount lent out to UK and EU students is set to rise significantly. UK students repay their student loans automatically, with payments being deducted from salary earnings through the UK fiscal system; however the system relies on EU students providing earnings data upon their return home.

According to the Students Loans Company 42 per cent of EU students liable to repay are currently not keeping up with repayments.

According to the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency, around 80,000 EU students were studying on undergraduate programmes in the UK in the 2011 – 2012 academic year. This would equate to a loan to EU students of around 640 million pounds in September 2012, and every year after that.

The Times Higher Education website informs us that “the number of EU undergraduates at UK universities has increased by 56 per cent over the past 10 years (from 51,440 in 2001-02 to 80,320 in 2010-11, according to Hesa). That outstripped the rise in UK undergraduate numbers over the same period (14 per cent).

But figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service in June for 2012-13, the first year of higher fees, show that EU applications are down by 12.9 per cent - steeper than the 8.9 per cent fall among UK applicants.”

Wittenborg Bachelor IBA students can complete a Final Year (double degree pathway) at the University of Brighton, once they have achieved 160 EC Credits in the IBA programme, and EU students going to study at Brighton will also be given the student loan to pay for their studies there.

From September state University fees in the UK are much higher than those in the Netherlands (9000 pounds compared to just less than 2000 euro in Holland). The UK fees are even considerably higher that the fees at non- funded institutions in the Netherlands, such as Wittenborg University, where the fees are 6,300 per year for undergraduate programmes. In the Netherlands, EU students are entitled to government scholarships and student loans as long as they have some part time employment. If they pass their degree, much of the loan is turned into a gift.

Sources:

Times Higher Education:

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=420807&c=1

Wittenborg Website (EU Grants):

http://www.wittenborg.eu/uk-eu-eea-swiss-dutch-study-grant.htm

Related Content: UK studentsGrants & Loans

International student recruitment in the Netherlands is regulated by a Code of Conduct that institutions of higher education, such as Wittenborg University agree to adhere to. Although the Code is a voluntary, self-regulating agreement, the Dutch national immigration organisation, IND, has limited student visa applications to institutions who have signed the code. To sign the code, an institution must be state recognized.

In the UK, the Home Office has confirmed it will continue with the system of “educational oversight”, which requires private higher education colleges to pass inspections carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency.

The new requirements, introduced last year, led to UK 172 institutions losing the right to recruit international students because they failed to apply for oversight by the September 2011 deadline.

The numbers of higher education institutions in the Netherlands are much lower than in the UK, and the numbers of state recognized and accredited private / non-funded are limited, including a small number of institutions such as Nyenrode, Webster, Nimbas, BSN and Wittenborg.

In the Netherlands only state funded or recognized and nationally accredited institutions are allowed to recruit international (non-eu, visa requiring) students. These institutions have all signed a national Code of Conduct for International Students in Higher Education in the Netherlands, which regulates their accreditation requirements (NVAO Accreditation requirement), the entrance English language level of international students (IELTS) and the way in which institutions promote themselves and their use of agents.

The UK has no central accreditation system, or recognition system for non-funded Universities, such as is the norm in the Netherlands, and therefore it is more difficult for the government to control the recruitment practices of these institutes, or even oversee the quality of them.

Although in the UK, private institutions are in the spotlight, the recent case of London Metropolitan University being barred from the recruitment of non-EU, visa requiring students has highlighted the need for tighter government control on UK University international student recruitment.

In the Netherlands, a discussion has developed regarding the control of student immigration from EU countries through the Code of Conduct, with calls for tighter English Language entry requirements of international students from other EU countries, such as Germany that according to some are a burden on public finances. At present these students are exempt from the IELTS requirement for studies in the Netherlands.

Wittenborg University is a signatory of the Code of Conduct for International Students in the Netherlands and is a recognized and accredited institution of higher education, and has around 50 nationalities studying and working within the Business School. Information about the code can be found at www.internationalstudy.nl

WUP 26/07/12

©Wittenborg University Press

Related Content: international studentscode of conductnetherlands universitiesuk universities

The Wittenborg University Board has given the go-ahead for the implementation of an improved and redeveloped version of its Bachelor of International Business Administration programme with its 8 pathways, leading to specialisations in Economics & Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing & Communication, Financial Services Management, Information Management, Real Estate Management, Logistics & International Trade, and Entrepreneurship & SME Management.

This is the first significant re-development of the IBA programme, since it was first developed in 2003, at a time when Wittenborg first started offering its programmes to international students. In 2006, the IBA was accredited by the Dutch Ministry of Education's 'Netherlands Accreditation Organisation' (NVAO), according to the first cycle of accreditation of all higher education Bachelor and Master programmes in the Netherlands. Since 2008, Wittenborg, under Chinese - British management offers all its programmes only in English.

The improved IBA has been developed as part of the current accreditation cycle (2012) which was started in January 2011 with a panel visit of the German accreditation body FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation). The panel audited a proposed separate programme of the specialisation pathway Entrepreneurship & SME Management, to be entitled Entrepreneurial  Business Administration (EBA). The panel suggested some changes to the structure of the programme, including a simplification of the examination system, and the addition of some new modules. They also suggested a restructuring of the way in which industry driven seminars and workshops are given in the programme.

In September 2011, a FIBAA panel again visited Wittenborg, this time to re-assess the whole IBA programme, for both NVAO (re) accreditation and a first-time FIBAA accreditation. By this time the re-development and improvement of the IBA programme was complete, and was approved by the panel in early 2012.

Significant improvements and changes include:

- Simplification of the exam system - each module will be tested with one exam component rather than 3, which is currently the case. All projects, papers and dissertations will still require an oral defense, such as a presentation or an interview.

- Seminars and workshops will be given throughout the programme from the first year, and mini research-paper writing will start from year one.

- New modules such as Business Psychology, Sociology, Innovation & Technology, and Economic Philosophy will be introduced as from September 2012.

- A clearer and more transparent grading mechanism for Final Projects will be introduced, and in line with practice at Wittenborg's partner, the University of Brighton, students will be able to choose from 4 types of graduation project: a classic research dissertation; a consultancy project; a research-based business plan; & a multi-medial / event project.

According to Wittenborg's Education Administration Department, "the re-newed Bachelor International Business Administration Programmes (IBA 2.1) will be launched as of September 2012 for all new students. 2nd phase (years 2 and 3) will not be greatly effected, however tutors will assess any individual case when required. Students in the final phase of their studies will complete graduation as planned, with their tutors making sure that the transition period does not affect their study progress."

WUP 19/07/12

©Wittenborg University Press

Related Content: WittenborgaccreditationInternational Business AdministrationNVAOFIBAA

On July 12, 2012, the School of Service Management (SSM) of the University of Brighton (UK) organised a research forum. Collegues from partner universities were asked to submit papers related to the area of Hospitality Research, and Wittenborg University submitted a paper based on the activities of one of its partner companies, that specializes in the field of sustainable energy solutions. The forum took place at SSM’s Eastbourne Campus.

Chairman of the forum was Ioannis S. Pantelidis PhD, MSc, HMDip, FIH, FHEA (Senior Lecturer in Hospitality and Culinary Arts).

After an introductory speech by Mrs. Ufi Ibrahim, former Chief Operations Officer at WTTC, now Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, indicating the growing importance of Hospitality and Tourism for jobs and national income (GDP), speakers from the University of Brighton and its partner institutes in France and The Netherlands, presented their papers.

Among the speakers was Wittenborg’s Trustee and Financial Manager Ing. Harry Maatjes, who presented a paper “Optimization of energy used in hotel and restaurant kitchens”. In cooperation with Wittenborg, Harry Maatjes’ company Rymotec developed a system, in which the warm off gases from large kitchens flow through a heat exchanger, thus warming up an air flow into the building. This warmed up air flow diminishes the amount of air to be heated up if no heat exchange would take place.

The unique feature in this system is the absence of fouling of the heat exchanger, thanks to a highly sophisticated fluid, embedding oily substances from off gases and eliminating spicy odors. Being at the development stage, only examples of theoretical applications could be given. Meanwhile the first systems have been sold, indicating a sound period of return on investment.

SSM, the University of Brighton’s School of Service Management offers courses in Hospitality, Event Management, Tourism and Travel Management. In cooperation with the University of Brighton, Wittenborg University also offers Master degrees in Management in International Tourism Management and International Event Management. A number of the University of Brighton lecturers, who will co-teach at Wittenborg University, were also present at the forum and presented their papers.

WUP 18/07/2012

©Wittenborg University Press

List of recognized and accredited Dutch higher education institutions in China finally updated!

  The list of recognized Dutch higher education institutions published on the Chinese Ministry of Education's website has finally been updated and now includes privately funded institutions such as Nyenrode University, Webster University, TIO, Europort, MSM and Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences.   Wittenborg University, which has been under Chinese and British management since 2008, has been pushing hard for an update of the list to occur. The list is especially important for working with partners in China, as they can apply for funding of student and teacher exchange if they work with recognized institutions. Wittenborg's partner institute Shanghai Business School is looking to receive support for student and staff exchanges, and Wittenborg University is working together with its other Shanghai partner, Shanghai Finance University, to develop joint programmes for the banking and insurance industry.     Wittenborg learnt that updates to the list on the Chinese Ministry of Education's website are the responsibility of the Dutch Ministry of Education providing the Chinese Embassy Education Department in the Hague with the correct information regarding recognized institutions in the Netherlands.    Through its membership of the NRTO, a body that represents non-funded higher education institutes in the Netherlands, Wittenborg first gained a letter from the Netherlands Ministry of Education in early 2012, which has been used to show partners in China that the list will be updated, and has been extremely useful.   A Wittenborg spokesperson today commented: "Surprisingly, after publishing this letter on its website, Wittenborg has been approached by Chinese graduates of other Dutch institutions, not on the list, for verification of the status of their study. Wittenborg naturally assisted these students in any way possible, however the situation was rather absurd."   The Dutch Ministry of Education works with a private organization called NUFFIC that promotes Dutch higher education abroad, in a similar fashion to the British Council, and through a vigorous of the NRTO on behalf of all its members, this group was asked to coordinate the update, and although the reaction time has been regrettably slow, the list has now been officially updated, and a full overview of institutions of higher education in the Netherlands has been included.   Wittenborg is listed under its original Dutch name "Hogeschool Wittenborg", which is the Dutch translation of University of Applied Sciences. After the celebrations of its 25 Year anniversary in November, Wittenborg intends to completely drop the name 'Hogeschool', which is internationally confusing, and use only "Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences", both within and outside of the Netherlands.   Below is a copy of the list of recognized Dutch institutions from the Chinese Ministry of Education website: http://www.jsj.edu.cn/index.php/default/index/sort/12025   为帮助自费出国留学人员正确选择国外学校 教育部公布33个国家学校名单（新闻稿）   一、基本情况   　　荷兰的高等教育机构主要包括研究型大学、高等专业教育学院、国际教育研究机构。   　　研究型大学（WO）, 以教学和科研为主。 目前，全荷兰共有14所研究型大学。   　　高等专业教育学院（HBO）,以培养应用型人才为主，学生经四年的专业学习，可取得学士学位。一些高等专业教育学院还设置硕士学位课程，一般使用英语授课，学制一年左右，国外申请者一般要求具有学士学位或相当水平的学位。   　　国际教育研究机构（Institutions for International Education），招生对象主要为外国学生，一般用英语授课，主要开设硕士研究生课程，学习期限为一至两年。要求申请者具有学士学位或同等学历。有些国际教育研究机构与荷兰的大学合作，为获得硕士学位后的学生提供继续攻读博士学位的机会。   　　荷兰对外国学生入学通常都要求具备良好的英文基础。荷兰的英语语言中心很少，学费比较昂贵。外国学生也可以先攻读荷兰语，然后选择以荷兰语开设的课程。   　　荷兰高等教育体系中没有预科。所有预科班都不是进入大学的直接渠道。   　   经批准，外国学生在荷兰学习期间可以有条件打工，在当年9月到次年6月上课期间，学生每周打工时间不得超过10小时。     二、名单     研究型大学 1.  Erasmus University Rotterdam, EUR 2.  Radboud University Nijmegen 3.  Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, RuG 4.  Technische Universiteit Delft, TUD 5.  Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, TU/e 6.  Universiteit Leiden 7.  Universiteit Maastricht, UM 8.  Universiteit Twente, UT 9.  Universiteit Utrecht, UU 10.  Universiteit van Amsterdam, UvA 11 . Universiteit van Tilburg, UvT 12.  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, VU 13.  Wageningen Universiteit, WUR 14.  Nyenrode Business Universiteit   高等专业教育学院 1.  ArtEZ Hogeschool voor de Kunsten 2.  Amsterdam School of Arts 3.  Christelijke Agrarische Hogeschool 4.  Christelijke Hogeschool Ede 5.  Stenden Hogeschool 6.  Christelijke Hogeschool Windesheim 7.  Design Academy Eindhoven 8.  Fontys Hogescholen 9.  Gerrit Rietveld Academie 10.  Haagse Hogeschool 11.  Hanzehogschool, Hogeschool van Groningen 12.  HAS den Bosch 13.  Hogeschool INHOLLAND 14.  Hogeschool Avans 15.  Saxion Hogescholen 16.  Hogeschool Leiden 17.  Hogeschool Zuyd 18.  Hogeschool Rotterdam, HRO 19.  Hogeschool van Amsterdam, HvA 20.  Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen, HAN 21.  Royal Academy of Art, The Hague 22.  Hogeschool van Utrecht, HU 23.  Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht, HvK 24.  Hogeschool voor Economische Studies Amsterdam, HES Amsterdam 25.  Hogeschool Zeeland 26.  Codarts, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten 27.  Van Hall Larenstein 28.  NHTV Internationale Hogeschool Breda 29.  Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden, NHL 30.  STOAS 31.  TiasNimbas Business School 32.  Business School Netherlands 33.  Business School Notenboom 34.  Driestar Hogeschool 35.  Europort Business School 36.  Fondation STC Group/Netherlands Maritime University 37.  Hogeschool Edith Stein 38.  Hogeschool Wittenborg 39.  Hotelschool the Hague 40.  Webster University, University of Applied Sciences 41.  TIO University of Applied Sciences   国际教育研究机构 1.   UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education 2.   MSM (Maastricht School of Management)   Related Content: Chinachinese studentsaccreditation

As the G20 leaders last month recognized the travel and tourism industry as being an important driver for growth, jobs and economic recovery, the industry will directly contribute $2 trillion in GDP and 100 million jobs to the global economy in 2012, according to the WTTC.

The G20 leaders' declaration stated that they recognized the role of the travel and tourism industry as a means to create jobs and stimulate economic growth and development, and whilst recognizing the sovereign right of countries to control the entry of foreign nationals, committed the G20 members to "work towards developing travel facilitation initiatives in support of job creation, quality work, poverty reduction and global growth.”

WTTC states that "this is the first time that Travel & Tourism has been included in the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and is the culmination of long-term efforts by the industry, led by UNWTO and WTTC, to encourage world leaders to see the potential of Travel & Tourism to create millions of new jobs and billions of dollars of GDP."

Wittenborg University's Master in International Tourism Management is looks at international tourism from the perspective of industry development and management. The programme looks at tourism and travel industry management strategies in the module "Management Strategies in a Global Business Environment", and students deepen their knowledge in the module "Globalization, Society & Culture"

The international tourism and travel industry is truly global and according to the WTTC, once wider economic impacts of the tourism and travel industry are taken into account, international travel, leisure and tourism is forecast to contribute around $6.5 trillion to the global economy and generate 260 million jobs – or 1 in 12 of all jobs on the planet. The Master in International Tourism will allow graduates to excel in this fast developing industry, around the world. With developing BRIC countries, such as China, Brazil and India now not only providing destinations to citizens of developed countries, but also creating and developing massive local internal leisure, tourism and travel markets, the need for managers in the industry will increase significantly.

The Master in International Tourism Management offers modules that look at the "Managing Resources in Hospitality and Tourism Operations", and students can specialise in areas such as "Consultancy" and "Travel & Visual Culture".

As WTTC points out, one of the issues that greatly influences the industry is visa policies around the world, and the development of visa waiver programmes. Also, issues such as the impact of tourism on the environment and local cultures are themes that are currently often discussed. The Master in International Tourism Management will look at "Ethical & Social Responsibility: Theory & Application" as well as "Critical Perspectives in Tourism Management"

For more information on the Master in International Tourism Management at Wittenborg University see http://www.wittenborg.eu/international-master-programme-tourism-and-management.htm

The programme is fully taught in English and open to Bachelor graduates from around the world. The degree is offered by Wittenborg University, in the Netherlands, jointly with its UK partner, the University of Brighton.

Special note for students in the Netherlands:

The Master in Event Management is accessible for all HBO graduates who have completed a Bachelor degree in a related field in economics and management, for instance in project management, event management, hospitality;

Some examples of (4 year HBO) Bachelor programmes in the Netherlands that give direct entry to the MSc International Tourism Management are:

.        International Business Administration (IBA)
.        International Business and Management Studies (IBMS)
·        Vrijetijdsmanagement (Leasure Management)
·        Art and Economics in Event Management
·        International Leisure Management
·        Media en Entertainment Management
.        Communication Studies
.        Fashion Business Management (European Fashion Business School, for instance)
·        International Event, Music & Entertainment Studies
·        Hotel- en Eventmanagement (Tio for example)
·        Hotel School (Saxion, Stenden for example)
·        Facility Management (Saxion for example)
·        Sportmanagement; Sport, Management & Ondernemen; Sport, Gezondheid & Management
·        Leisure Studies (Vrijetijdwetenschappen)

Students from around the world with 3 or 4 year Bachelor programmes are eligible f their degree is an economics related one, or if they have at least 5 years working experience in a related industry.

Sources:
WTTC: http://www.wttc.org/news-media/news-archive/2012/g20-recognises-travel-tourism-driver-economic-growth-first-time-/

Note:

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the industry, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. Travel & Tourism accounts for 258 million jobs globally. At US$6 trillion (9.1% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and economic growth. For more than 20 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses. These Members bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making, raising awareness of the importance of the industry as an economic generator of prosperity. Follow us on twitter @WTandWC

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO: www.UNWTO.org), a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 155 countries, 7 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 400 Affiliate Members.

 

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