Wittenborg Online News

Comment: The Adjacent Possible

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:57:17 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

The Adjacent Possible

/brighton_beech.jpg" width="225" height="115" />The recent agreement which Wittenborg reached with the University of Brighton to start up two master programmes (International Tourism and International Event Management) made me think of Steven Johnson’s book on “Where good ideas come from”.

Deriving analogies from nature to explain innovation, Johnson introduces the concept of ‘the adjacent possible’. New ideas can be impressive but can also be ‘ahead of their time’. New ideas can only be put into practice (in other words, become innovation) if there is a wider context, culturally and technologically, that is receptive to them.

Even though innovation requires individual strength and determination, its success is dependent on many other factors. Seeking coalitions, therefore, can be a means to let such factors ‘work for you’.

The adjacent possible points to a certain ‘logical’ trajectory that an organisation has to follow. By taking the right next step, windows of opportunity will turn into real doors to further development. From there, other opportunities can be expected to emerge.

Dr Teun Wolters

22 January 2011

WiNet – the Wittenborg University Brand and Company Start-Up Incubator

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:38:14 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

WiNet – the Wittenborg University Brand and Company Start-Up Incubator

In 2010 Wittenborg instigated a Brand Incubator, WiNet to manage business ideas and company start-ups in order to expose students to some real life business creation and innovation. The idea was started by bringing a number of already active brands into the portfolio, from the training and consultancy arm of the Birdsall trustees, with a view to involving students from the University at the earliest stage.

/tim_winet.jpg" width="218" height="286" alt="Tim Birdsall WiNet - Wittenborg University Network" style="float: left; margin: 12px;" />Tim Birdsall (left), Wittenborg trustee, and entrepreneur and management consultant of more than 20 years: “Key to the ideas, services and products that are brought into the WiNet organization is that they are viable running projects. WiNet is not an emulator, but a real life company with a normal balance, profit and loss!” read more from Tim Birdsall, on WiNet; http://www.wittenborg.eu/tim-birdsall-winet-wittenborg-university-network.htm

Currently, the WiNet brands include services in the field of management skills and competence training, consultancy, website development and IT support. The consultancy focusses on areas such as business plan / company start-ups, international trade (especially between European and China), and business performance improvement, through the implementation of integrated quality control systems. Last year, WiNet (Wittenborg University Network) employed a number of students working in WiNet projects.

Between the summer of 2010 and the end of 2011, WiNet’s website building and service brand ‘Lyniks Systems’ built more than 15 websites for SMEs and event organisations, all for under €2,500-!

In 2012, WiNet plans to expand its opportunities for students, in the only way it knows how: more sales, providing more funds to support more students in WiNet! Also, WiNet is actively aiming to support students in their business start-ups by inviting external investors to join projects and work with students to make their business projects a success.

This year Wittenborg visiting lecturer, Ioana Bora, based in Romania, has been brought in to manage a team of students in three key WiNet project. She is looking forward to the challenge;

‘WiNet is the Wittenborg 100% practical project that gives the students the opportunity to test the business experience and get to work hands on sales, marketing, and business strategy. For 2012, Winet has big plans: it will give the students the actual experience of selling, creating brand awareness, learning how to use social media to promote a brand and actually creating a brand and making it successful.

The three projects that I will lead, under the Winet umbrella are Pipeliner-Sales, SpeakerMedica and Ooopy Gloop.

For Pipeliner the plan is to actually sell training services to IT companies in Europe, so the activities designed for the students include not only the sales process from scratch, but also some focus on client relations and the development of some organizing skills.

For SpeakerMedica, the plan is to create brand awareness, preparing the ground for a big sales campaign that is going to start next year. This year, the students will start getting the message to the right people and develop a sales strategy that will be used next year. This also involves market research activities and the study of the competition.

/deborah_winet.jpg" width="147" height="172" alt="deborah_winet.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 12px;" />

For Ooopy Gloop, the plan is to actually start promoting a project from scratch. That includes everything that an online project needs to become successful: using social media, search engine optimization, growing number of visitors, finding advertisers, creating a brand.’

For an overview of the WiNet Brands, and links to their individual sites: http://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-university-network.htm

Debora Piancastelli Heiderich (left), a second year business student from Brazil worked on SpeakerMedica’, a training product for the international pharmaceutical industry;

"Sales, marketing, presentation skills, customer relationship management and web design are a few examples of fields on which I learned with the experience inSpeakerMedica. Working with the Winet Group sharpened not only my sales and marketing skills, but also improved my self-confidence and willingness to build up my career path. Tim Birdsall is a very motivating and inspiring boss, who leads the team to meet objectives and set up strategies with focus and a good sense of humour."

WUP. 29/01/2012

/lyniks.png" width="134" height="46" alt="Lyniks Systems" style="margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;" />/pipeliner.jpg" width="144" height="35" alt="Pipeliner Sales WiNet" style="margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;" />/speakermedica.jpg" width="144" height="41" alt="SpeakerMedica" style="margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px;" />

Wittenborg-Brighton International Management Master programmes accredited and given green light to start in September 2012!

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:03:25 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

Wittenborg-Brighton International Management Master programmes accredited and given green light to start in September 2012!

The first joint programmes of Wittenborg University and the University of Brighton (UK) was given the green light last week as the International MSc programmes in International Event Management and International Tourism Management completed their accreditation process at a partnership validation event held at the University of Brighton’s Eastbourne campus.

On Thursday, the validation panel, chaired by the University of Brighton’s deputy vice Chancellor Professor Stuart Laing approved the formal teaching and programme partnership between Wittenborg and Brighton. The Wittenborg-Brighton MSc programmes had already been approved after extensive documentation, due diligence and two visits by Brighton panels to the campus in Apeldoorn.

/Wittenborg%20University%20and%20University%20of%20Brighton%20MSc%20Validation%20Event%20Team%202012_2.jpg" width="752" height="286" alt="Wittenborg University and University of Brighton MSc Validation Event Team 2012.jpg" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 12px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />

The event in Eastbourne was supported by teaching and programme management staff from the University of Brighton, and Wittenborg was represented by its directors Maggie Feng and Peter Birdsall, Wittenborg Academic Dean and Head of the Research Centre, Dr Tuen Wolters, and Wittenborg’s MSc programme coordinator Annette Kappert-White.

The partnership means that the MSc programmes will be fully provided in Apeldoorn, jointly by a team of lecturers from Brighton and Wittenborg. Successful students will receive an internationally recognized Master of Science degree.

Director Peter Birdsall said in a reaction after the event ‘this is a fantastic opportunity for Wittenborg to grow and we hope the start of many such programmes with Brighton. It allows Wittenborg University to pioneer international collaborative education at an academic level in the Netherlands. More than 50% of each module will be taught in Apeldoorn by lecturers of Brighton, and all marking right up to the dissertation will have the involvement of both parties. This very much sets it apart from many of the franchised UK master programmes at Dutch Universities of Applied Science and is aimed at Dutch and International students who want to gain an academic Master degree directly after their HBO Bachelor. It especially offers a great opportunity for Wittenborg University students to continue their studies and graduate with an internationally recognized MSc degree.'

Both International Management programmes will be offered in both full time (1 year) and part time (2 years) variants and will include an optional work placement in the Netherlands.

For more information please send a request: http://www.wittenborg.eu/apply-msc-international-tourism-or-msc-international-event-management.htm

NRTO and State Secretary for Higher Education sign historic agreement.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:17:11 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

NRTO and State Secretary for Higher Education sign historic agreement.

For the first time, the Dutch government has signed an agreement with the non-funded Universities in the Netherlands regarding their participation in the development and implementation of State Secretary Halbe Zijlstra’s Higher Education Strategic paper that was published last summer.

The agreement covers a range of issues including a new accreditation system, to be implemented in the coming year, and the opportunities that non-funded Universities can provide the Netherlands government in their implementation of a more ‘lean and mean’ approach to the funding for higher education.

Wittenborg played an important role in the review process of the agreement, signed last Friday (13th January 2012) ensuring that an agreement was made that the Dutch government would promote funded and non-funded accredited institutions in the same way, and ensure that all communication both in the Netherlands and internationally about Dutch Universities would be the same, regardless of central funding or not. This includes ensuring that schools such as Wittenborg are also evenly represented on lists of institutions in world wide databases in which accredited Dutch Universities are mentioned.

WUP 18/01/2012

The full (Dutch) press release can be read here:

http://www.wittenborg.nl/nrto-sluit-hoofdlijnenakkoord-met-staatssecretaris-zijlstra.htm

Wittenborg University suspends plans to offer Associate Degree (AD) programmes in 2012.

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:40:35 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

Wittenborg University suspends plans to offer Associate Degree (AD) programmes in 2012.

/the%20associate%20degree%20aventus%20apeldoorn.jpg" width="200" height="298" />Wittenborg University’s board has decided to suspend development of its Associate Degree programmes (AD) in International Business, and concentrate on the further development of the full Bachelor and Master programmes, also in partnership with the University of Brighton and NTI.

An Associate Degree is a programme that is roughly equivalent to a UK HND award, or a Foundation Degree. It has recently been introduced in the Netherlands, often offered jointly by ROC colleges and Universities of Applied Science.

Wittenborg’s decision comes at a time when the (Dutch) State Secretary of State for Education, Halbe Zijlstra, has especially encouraged (privately funded) Universities of Applied Science to apply for Associate Degree programmes in a fifth round of registration as part of the AD pilot that is nearing its end before the Associate Degree is incorporated in the Higher Education Act.

According to Wittenborg’s Director, Peter Birdsall, Wittenborg had been developing an IBA Associate Degree in five specialisations, including general economics and information and communication technology. This was in line with contractual agreements made between Wittenborg and the local government, in 2010, which has always stimulated the development of Associate Degree programmes.

However, according to Birdsall, after discussions with employers in the region, Councilors at the City Council of Apeldoorn and Wittenborg partners ROC Aventus College, it became clear that Aventus was also preparing to launch business ADs in 2012, together with Saxion Hogeschool (from Deventer) and that due to complicated rules of accreditation for funded schools, the proposed Wittenborg AD programmes could be problematic for them, and would at least confuse the local market. Birdsall went on to explain that relations with local companies and organisations and other education institutions in Apeldoorn, such as Aventus were extremely important to Wittenborg, and that the decision has been in full agreement with the local council.

The actual value to employers of an Associate Degree has not yet been fully explored, and the idea of two or more Associate Degrees all in the business administration domain being offered by two institutions within the same location would not be beneficial, Birdsall added, and went on to comment, ‘Maybe in the future, if the Associate Degree system proves a success, we can work together with Aventus to develop programmes such as these in other sectors.’

Wittenborg is looking forward to completing the validation process next week for the Master International Event Management and the Master International Tourism Management, at the Eastbourne campus of the University of Brighton. These two MSc programmes will be offered at Wittenborg in Apeldoorn from September 2012.

WUP, 13/01/2012

China looking to double its higher educated by 2020.

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:03:18 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

China looking to double its higher educated by 2020.

Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate 60 years of the Nuffic, Yang Meng, Vice Secretary General of the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), explained that internationalisation of Higher Education is a major aim for China in the coming eight years, and that the country expects its population of higher educated citizens to rise to around 195 million by 2020, double the number counted in 2009.

The Netherlands is home to thousands of Chinese students studying at Research Universities and Universities of Applied Science, and the majority of students return back to China to follow their careers.

/neso%20and%20ceaie%20china.png" width="225" height="147" />Recently, the new Director of Neso China Visited CEAIE, as the Netherlands steps up its Higher Education Relations with China.

From the CEAIE website it is shown that on Oct.18th, Madam Yang Meng and Mr. Zong Wa, Deputy Secretary General, met with Sander van den Eijnden, Director General of NUFFIC, accompanied by Mr. Jacques van Vliet, the Director of Neso China and his successor Mr. Marcus Wilhelmus Bellen, who has taken over the task of running Neso Beijing. Mr van den Eijnden is also Chair of the Board of Trustees of ROC Aventus, the Apeldoorn college in which Wittenborg University is located, and partnered with.

In Early January, Wittenborg had discussions with staff at Neso, now based in the modern Beijing neighbourhood of Xidan, regarding the promotion of its programmes in China, and the possibilities Neso offers Chinese graduates from the Netherlands in its Alumni programme. Neso staff were positive regarding Wittenborg’s development in Apeldoorn and looked forward to working closely with the school as it developed its partnerships in China.

(picture from http://en.ceaie.edu.cn)

Dr. Teun Wolters - Fact-free thinking

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:26:14 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

Fact-free thinking

Some years ago I was involved in an EU research project on the selection and development of statistical New Economy indicators. The subject was about how ICT and globalisation are changing economic relationships. The project restricted itself to the first 15 EU countries.

As a member of a panel during the final ‘wrap up’ conference (held in Greece) I pointed out that Italy was in a special situation. In terms of the ‘old economy’ Italy was still doing well. However, in terms of the ‘new economy’ the indicators showed that this country was lagging behind. This was something to worry about.

One of the participants, a scholar from the rich north of Italy, responded by saying that according to him Italy was doing fine. There was nothing to worry about. You can imagine, I was not happy about this response. The point was that if the Italian was right, he should have warned the project team that the selected indicators were inadequate.

Here we witnessed a remarkable case of fact-free thinking. There was no reason to doubt the indicators (nobody did), but when it came to drawing the right conclusions, someone whom it concerned would not hear of it.

Fact-free thinking should be distinguished from entrepreneurial thinking (even though it is surrounded by ‘elements of fiction’). The entrepreneur is aware of what is reality but is determined to make use of (often self-created) opportunities, even if that is a risky endeavour. Fact-free thinking is also different from ‘outside the box’ thinking. In the latter case, the facts are recognised but approached in a different unconventional way, so that new ideas may emerge. If our students understand this, to a great extent our educational efforts can be considered successful.

Dr. Teun Wolters (2 Jan. 2012)

Wittenborg makes agreements with partners in Shanghai

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:58:46 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

2 new Partnerships in Shanghai.

Wittenborg and Shanghai Business School agree on partnership and programme collaboration.

On 28^th December 2011, Directors Maggie Feng and Peter Birdsall signed the Memorandum of Cooperation between Wittenborg University and Shanghai Business School, at the main SBS campus. The MOU covers the possible development of joint programmes, credit transfer and student and faculty exchange between the two institutions.

Wittenborg Students to visit Shanghai in Project Week

Wittenborg business students will be given the opportunity to complete a project week in Shanghai during the end of May 2012. During the trip, the students will stay at Wittenborg’s partner institution campus and follow joint seminars with their Chinese counterparts. The trip will also enable Wittenborg students to visit international companies active in the Shanghai region, as well as see the sights and soak up the atmosphere of China’s business city.

Wittenborg Signs a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Shanghai Finance University

At the end of 2011, Wittenborg University and the Shanghai Finance University signed the Memorandum of Cooperation that had been agreed between the two institutes in a previous visit in October 2011. The OU will allow Shanghai Finance University lecturers and students to spend periods of study and learning in the Netherlands and also paves the way for a double degree programme with ambitious Shanghai Finance University students completing their degree’s at Wittenborg in Apeldoorn.

/Shanghai%20Finance%20University%20Agreement%202011.jpg" width="320" height="224" />

Monday 9th January 2012

Happy New Year 2012

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:54:41 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

Wittenborg University Wishes You

A Happy and Successful

2012

Wittenborg University wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 09:09:47 GMT

by Wittenborg News.

Wittenborg University wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Directors Peter Birdsall and Maggie Feng wish all Wittenborg students, staff and relations a happy Christmas break, and a successful start to the New Year 2012.

Maggie Feng: “Summing up 2011 I would say ‘new and exciting challenges’, ‘professionalisation’, ‘change management’, ‘lots of business networking’, ‘learning to find my way round Apeldoorn without TomTom’ and last but not least Student Housing and Spaceboxes!”

Peter Birdsall: “My 2011 keywords are: ‘another new website’, ‘branding and google ranking’, ‘even more different nationalities at school’, ‘R&D: University of Brighton MSc’, ‘NTI MBA’,’ Quality System Good – Student Support Excellent’, and last but defiantly not least ‘accreditation and validation panels’.”

“Wittenborg has now settled into its new location in Apeldoorn, and 2011 has been a year of consolidation, in which the school has been audited three times by independent panels, as part of the development of Bachelor and Master programmes in Business Administration, Hospitality, Events and Tourism. An important partnership with the University of Brighton was further developed and Master of Science programmes in International Event Management and International Tourism Management will be launched in 2012. The development of an international MBA route for International Students, Expats and Knowledge Migrants, was started, with partner NTI University”

“Networking was an important aspect to the year, starting with the Apeldoorn New Year receptions and ending with the at the ICT Gala, at which music and entertainment was central, but even here, the development of new programmes in ICT Project Management were discussed with members of the Apeldoorn IT sector.”

“Central to the year has been student housing, cumulating with the arrival of 24 brightly coloured SpaceBoxes, situated in the centre of Apeldoorn, within walking distance of the campus. Excellent Student Housing will remain an important theme in 2012!”

“Central to the year 2011 has been professionalization of education, and the processes and systems within the business school. The NVAO audit panel in September considered Wittenborg’s quality system to be “good”, and its student support mechanisms as “excellent”, however Wittenborg intends to continue the process of increasing quality of education and service to students and staff in 2012”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2012 From Wittenborg University.pdf