More Students from Africa Expected to Study in the Netherlands

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences' admissions team has attended its first ICEF Africa conference online with education recruitment agents on the continent expecting more and more inquiries from students on studying in the Netherlands. Especially students from Nigeria are looking for alternatives to some of the English-speaking study destinations.

"This was the first time we joined ICEF Africa and it was definitely a successful event for us," said Lena Vandenbosch, Wittenborg's International Partnership Manager. The 3-day event saw the Wittenborg team attending 68 meetings in total. Countries represented were Algeria, Benin,  Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  

Vandenbosch said: "We had the opportunity to catch up with various agents that we are already working with, but most of the meetings were with agents we have not spoken to before. Surprisingly, most agents, even very established ones, have not yet recruited students to the Netherlands. Many agents explicitly mentioned that they are receiving more and more inquiries on studying in the Netherlands. Especially students from Nigeria are looking for alternatives to some of the English speaking study destinations."

Mykhailo Huba, also part of the admissions team, said Nigeria is a country with many young people. "It has more than 315 languages of which three are dominant languages, as well as English. Lagos is one of the most dense populated cities in the world as well, and the biggest city in Nigeria. It used to be a capital, but now it is a metropolitan city with accent on naval commerce, much like New York City."

Huba said he learned a lot about the different African countries from the conference. For instance that Nigerians are very optimistic people with hard working students. "They also like good food, since Nigerian cuisine is diverse. They have nice beaches in Nigeria - same as in the DRC. In the capital of the DRC, Kinshasha, they love European fashion and culture as well as music and travel."  

Sophia Faraji, Wittenborg's Support Office Coordinator, said the agents that she spoke to from Egypt and Nigeria were pleasantly surprised by what Wittenborg has to offer. "For instance, the fact that we offer 6 intake opportunities per year and the support provided in terms of visa applications was all new to them. They said they can't wait to start working with us."

WUP 20/6/2021
by James Wittenborg
©WUAS Press

Wittenborg Staff Tell of Positive and Well-Organised Experience with Vaccination

Now that the Dutch COVID-19 vaccination programme is in full swing, we asked a couple of staff members who got the jab already - including Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng - what the experience was like, why it was important for them to do it and the level of service received.  

Feng said she never had any doubts that she would take the vaccine once it became available as she has confidence in science and the way that the vaccine was developed, the rigorous standards it was held to and the fundamental research behind it. "The vaccine is the only way out of the current height of the pandemic and protecting others," Feng said.

Under normal circumstances, vaccines take years to develop, but scientists used prior knowledge to develop safe and effective vaccines in just under a year by simultaneously starting all the necessary steps - including animal testing, two phases of human clinical trials and manufacturing.

Feng also said the Netherlands was lucky in having its medical experts appear regularly in the media and on talk shows to counter scepticism about the vaccine. "Sometimes scientists do not have the skill to communicate their knowledge, but I feel we were lucky to have people that spoke with confidence and from the heart in a very relatable manner."

Feng had her vaccination in the south of Amsterdam where Wittenborg's Amsterdam campus is also located and said the jab itself was a breeze. "There was a real feeling of community - that we are all in this together - on the day I was there. People were waving and smiling - as much as you can smile through a mask - and it was very well organised."

Wittenborg Head of School of Business Dr Rauf Abdul said the vaccination centre provided clear information and everything was excellently arranged. "There were staff members around to control the traffic of people - useful during rush hours. On the confirmation letter there was a note that your registration card cannot be used as an official proof of vaccination."

Wittenborg President Peter Birdsall said he was amazed at how organised and efficient the Dutch Public Health Service (GGD) was in administering the vaccination. "On the other hand, I suppose it took them 9 million jabs to practise with before I got there."

Wittenborg Project Week teacher Samantha Birdsall said she had both her vaccinations in May already as she belongs to a risk group. "It was so well organised and there was hardly any delay."

WUP 18/6/2021
by Anesca Smith
©WUAS Press

International Background Advantage for Keeping Peace in Mixed Student Accommodation

When Maria Acosta started as the new student housing assistant at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences back in November 2020, it was just as the second COVID-19 wave hit the Netherlands and many international students were back to online studying from their student rooms. As someone who has lived in many countries, equipped with a good understanding of what it means to be an international, Acosta was able to help students make their living conditions as pleasant as possible while they rode out the storm.

Testament to this are the many letters students have written praising her skills as housing assistant. One reads: "Maria is patient and someone who easily gains others' trust. She relates easily to students from a range of different backgrounds. She also makes sure that students understand and follow the rules as well as the health and safety requirements relating to Wittenborg accommodation."

Another says: "She handles every situation very calmly and is punctual, always with a smile and makes sure to interact with students, no matter how busy she is."

Wittenborg has nine apartments scattered around Apeldoorn, where the two main campuses are located. This is aside from the student dorm, Ruyterstraat, which has 30 rooms says Acosta.

After fleeing the Uruguayan war in the 60s and briefly living in Argentina, Acosta and her family were granted asylum in the Netherlands and she came here as a 7-year old. After growing up in the Netherlands, she also lived as an adult in Singapore, India and China, and has a background in social work. She speaks Spanish, English, Dutch and "a little Mandarin".

This international background is definitely an advantage on the job. "I think it is useful because it has taught me a lot about people. I embrace all cultures and religions and understand that different people have different cultural backgrounds and that has to be navigated with so many internationals living and studying together."

When the job came up last year, she says she did not think twice before accepting it. "I was very enthusiastic and also had to grow in the job. For instance, I am not a handyman, but I have since learned to do a few odd jobs like painting when the need arises."

She thinks the student groups who arrived at the height of the pandemic must have had the hardest time. "They are the bravest because they had to adjust to a new country while in lockdown where there was not a lot of room to go out and explore or meet up with fellow students at school. They had to deal with culture shock and maybe loneliness."

She also thinks that the student volunteers, who came forward to meet new students at the airport and make them feel at home on arrival, are heroes.

Her advice to new students is to be open to new experiences. "Holland is great, but it can also be very  challenging. I can imagine that if you come here fresh out of high school or if you have never had the same kind of freedoms before, you can also drown in that new-found liberty."

WUP 14/6/2021
by James Wittenborg
©WUAS Press

Successful Trial in How Employees with Mental Health Issues can be Incorporated Leads to Government Funding

When you suffer from a mental illness, finding (and keeping) a job can be an uphill struggle. Luckily for these type of job seekers there are employers like Wittenborg's Raymond Rothengatter. Rothengatter's ICT company, RayFlexCom, took part in a trial to determine how job seekers with mental health issues can be integrated at companies. His company showed that, with a little tweaking, it can be done successfully. In fact, so much so that the government is now sponsoring 2,300 of these vacancies over the coming period.

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences has been working with RayFlexCom for a few years, outsourcing some of its ICT needs to the company. Wittenborg's President, Peter Birdsall, said the institution is proud to work with an organisation that supports diversity in the workplace and is making an impact on society.

Rayflex's participation in the trial made national news in the Dutch media recently. It interviewed an employee at the Deventer-based company, one David, who suffers from bouts of depression and ADHD.

Assisted by a job coach, David said he sometimes still experiences a dip in his mental health, but that the coach helps him to identify what is needed to fulfil his professional obligations. In the same way, the coach also takes into account what the employer needs for the arrangement to work.

Rothengatter said so far it is going well and David has been employed for about two years at Rayflex. "Of course, there are ups and downs but in general he is doing well. All of us here know what the situation is and when there are days he needs to put on the brakes, we take that into account."

The news clip can be viewed

.

WUP 10/6/2021
by James Wittenborg
©WUAS Press

Special interest in the new-launched post-master's programme

A general enquiry for potential applicants was the multiple-intake system, which characterises Wittenborg, as well as the application process for the study programmes. Although each programme may have some different requirements, the general application rules are a valid high-school diploma or a previous higher-education diploma (or subjects/grades transcripts), and a certificate of English language proficiency level equivalent to minimum IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 (for undergraduate programmes) and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 (for postgraduate programmes). Likewise, prospective students wanted to know more about the different types of programmes available. Wittenborg offers over 20 bachelor's specialisations and over 15 postgraduate programmes and one post-master's programme.  

Moreover, several participants wanted more information about the recently launched Post-Master's programme, which is expected to start in summer 2021. This reflects that Wittenborg has reached a wide variety of audiences around the world, and not just high-school leavers.

Visa process & Covid-19 vaccination in the Netherlands

Another topic during the session was the visa process, which Mykhailo explained varies with nationality and country of residence. For instance, if an applicant resides in a country different from their home country, they have to consult the local authorities of their host country whether it is possible to apply for a visa at the Dutch Embassy there, or if they have to travel to their home country to follow the process.

Last but not least, the participants of this Live Q&A were especially intrigued by the vaccination process in the Netherlands and how it would affect them if they were to study at Wittenborg: Should they get vaccinated before travelling, or would they be granted entry without vaccination? All these doubts were clarified by Mykhailo, and for further information about vaccination, this article can come in handy.

Why not join a live Q&A session?

More live Q&A sessions will be held througout the year 2021, and due to the high rate of interest among participants, we encourage prospective applicants to refer to our Events Calendar so as not to miss out upcoming sessions. You can also join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where the events are announced and any questions can be left in the comments area, which our Wittenborg staff will take care to answer during the next Q&A session.

WUP 8/6/2021
by Laura Serrano
©WUAS Press

Department of Education Backtracks after Wrongfully Informing Students of Fee Discount

The Dutch department of education (DUO) had to make a hasty backtrack after accidentally informing students at private institutions of higher education that they are entitled to a reduced study fee in the coming academic year as part of the government's response to COVID-19 and its effect on education in the Netherlands the past year. Students at public institutions are entitled to the discount.

However, the NRTO (Dutch Council for Private Universities and Institutions for Education and Training) is one of the bodies currently lobbying for this gesture of goodwill to be extended to students at private institutions like Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences. Parliament will debate the matter this coming Monday in the House of Representatives. Wittenborg is also sending out a letter this week in support of the proposal.

The Dutch government recently announced a couple of Covid-19 compensation measures. EU students will get a 50% discount on their normal tuition fees, while those outside the EU and EER who usually pay institutional fees, will get a discount of  € 1,084 with the condition that they are enrolled in a "publicly funded programme”.

Meanwhile, the revised message from DUO clarifies that discounts given do not apply to students studying at privately funded institutes and that the right to receive a “tuition fee loan” has not changed but is still for the full amount of tuition fee (only applicable to Dutch and EU students).

Another support measure for students at publicly funded institutions is that those who have fallen behind with their studies because of the impact of COVID-19 are entitled to a one-off compensation amount to cover the costs of a longer period of study. Those at universities or universities of applied sciences will also get 12 months extra on their travel product with the maximum being 7 years.

WUP 6/6/2021
by James Wittenborg
©WUAS Press

Spike in Number of In-Class Attendance

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended almost every facet of education all around the world. It has not just caused a move from classrooms to virtual environments, but it has brought along challenges in instruction, delivery and assessment methods, attendance and most importantly, human interactions. After more than a year of campus closing, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences reverted to its hybrid-teaching two weeks ago, permitting students to attend classes physically. However, unlike last year, where physical attendance was thin, lecturers have noticed a spike in the number of in-class attendance and participation.

For one bachelor's class, what started with one or two students out of a total of forty registered students in the first week, has reached eleven in the second week. This was quite a surprise to Fjorentina Muco, the Intercultural Business Communication lecturer. She asked, "What motivates students to come to class now?" She believed that it is the dynamics of the module in combination with the fun class activities that she has lined up for her students. "I think they have had enough of talking to virtual faces on screens. They now want to be the protagonists of the fun activities in class," added Muco.

Great interactive sessions

The same goes for the International Management class, a master's class, attended by Xavier Talla and lectured by Dr Arie Barendregt. Talla, who is from Cameroon, has been attending online classes since he came to the Netherlands on 17th May. He was glad to be in class and finally meet his new friends and lecturer in person. He said that on day 2, eight students turned up, which was a surprise. “It was a great session and good experience with lots of interactions,” commented Talla on the class. When asked why he prefers physical classes, he said, "I prefer physical class because it gives me opportunities for face-to-face interaction with classmates and especially the teachers. We can make use of the coffee/lunch breaks to have more informal conversation or discussions."

Happy with Wittenborg's online materials and 'world class' lecturers

For Talla, the online learning during the pandemic has given him a great opportunity to experience the wealth of online materials provided by Wittenborg. He is also very impressed with the 'world-class' lecturers who have taught him so far. He embraced the fact that these lecturers are not just teachers, but are experienced experts in their own fields. He especially loves the lessons by Dr Gilbert Silvius, an active researcher, writer and experienced project management and information management expert, as well as Dr Arie Barendregt, an active business-to-business sales and marketing expert in Europe and the US. "The lecturers made us imagine ourselves in the shoes of a general manager and then asked us really tough but relevant questions which managers usually face in their day-to-day dealings."

Remote learning may be here to stay, but studies have shown that majority of students and teachers still prefer face-to-face learning environments. After all, humans are social beings and we are hard-wired to connect, socialize and collaborate. It is this social behaviour that has been a significant part of our adaptive nature, allowing us to innovate, create, adapt and do things which we wouldn't be able to do on our own.

WUP 4/6/2021
by Hanna Abdelwahab
© WUAS Press

Everyone to Be Fully Vaccinated in 3 Months - Minister

The Dutch government is confident that, when the new academic year starts in September, current safety measures around COVID-19, such as wearing a mask and keeping a distance of 1.5m will be a thing of the past. The minister of health, Hugo de Jonge, said in an interview over the weekend that this is a "realistic" scenario.

In addition, it is foreseen that every adult in the Netherlands who wants to be will be fully vaccinated by then, including international students. The government previously predicted that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will get their first shot by at least 1 July. This had to be slightly adjusted to mid-July as delivery of some vaccines was delayed.

By this week, almost 10 million vaccinations have been administered in the Netherlands and there has been a steady decline of new COVID cases and hospitalisation since the government's vaccination programme really started picking up steam from mid-May onwards.

Meanwhile, another round of corona restrictions will be relaxed in the Netherlands from 5 June. This includes the opening of museums, historic buildings, cinemas and theatres.  Adults may once again take part in sports in groups of up to 50 people without having to keep 1.5 metres apart, if the sport in question requires people to be closer. That means yoga classes can restart.

Restaurants and cafes can open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., as long as everyone is assigned a table and there are no more than 50 guests in each space – i.e. indoors and outdoors. A maximum of four people is allowed per table seated 1.5 metres apart, excluding the under 13s.

De Jonge warned people to stay alert in the meantime and continue adhering to the basic rules, including those who have been vaccinated:

• Wash your hands.
• Keep your distance.
• Get tested and stay at home if you have any symptoms.

WUP 2/6/2021
by James Wittenborg
©WUAS Press