Wittenborg Meets Prospective Students at Study Abroad Road Show in Milan

Wittenborg's Allegra Zazzaro Connects with Students and Agents in Milan

On 18 September, Allegra Zazzaro, Admissions Administrator at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, represented the business school at the Study Abroad Road Show in Milan, organised by Inventa Wide. The event brought together educational institutions from across Europe and beyond, giving students in Milan the chance to learn about studying abroad.

It was a great opportunity for students interested in studying in another country, as well as agents looking to partner with universities and business schools. Zazzaro shared her experience: "I had the opportunity to talk with many students interested in studying abroad, especially those considering the Netherlands as a place to study."

Originally from Italy and now living in the Netherlands, Zazzaro connected with students on a personal level, offering them valuable advice on Wittenborg’s programmes and what life is like in the Netherlands.  

Her presence highlighted Wittenborg’s commitment to helping prospective students make informed choices about their education.

The day concluded with a casual networking session, where Zazzaro and other exhibitors enjoyed appetisers and chatted in a relaxed setting.

Wittenborg’s participation in the event demonstrates its ongoing commitment to connecting with students internationally and supporting their study abroad journeys.

WUP 03/10/2024 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press 

Wittenborg Students Excel in Web Portfolios and Social Media Marketing Projects

Explore Wittenborg's Student Portfolios and Marketing Insights

Wittenborg students are making their mark with impressive web portfolios and innovative social media marketing projects. Under the guidance of lecturer Cansu Tor Kadioğlu, students from the (EBA) Entrepreneurial Business Administration and Social Media Marketing courses have demonstrated exceptional creativity and practical skills, blending academic theory with real-world applications.

In the EBA course, students created personal websites and digital portfolios, resulting in standout examples. Kadioğlu expressed her pride in their achievements: “The examples I shared stood out to me because they highlight the diversity and talent within my class. Some students have gone on to establish their own companies, leveraging the websites they designed in my class to advance their businesses.”

Meanwhile, in the Social Media Marketing course, students were tasked with analysing real-world social media strategies. Ali (Freddy) Talei, an EBA student in Amsterdam, took a deep dive into the social media approach of Dutch retailer Etos.  

He explained his process: “I first started going through Etos' social media accounts and platforms and saw how they used them. Certain platforms were being utilised in a certain way. For example, with LinkedIn, people were using it professionally, so they were mostly doing B2B stuff. However, when it came to Instagram and TikTok, they were mostly using a B2C or business-to-customer approach.”

Talei noted how this experience broadened his understanding of social media's role in business: “I believe the main goal for this course is to be able to become the social media manager for a corporation or business and be able to manage their social medias accordingly... Working on this project also allowed me to expand my vision on these platforms further because I thought it was just social media and people were browsing it for fun.”

For Talei, the hands-on project aligned closely with his entrepreneurial aspirations. “The thing that I enjoyed about this project was it was quite close to what I am trying to do with my own business... working on an existing business helped me understand how they utilise it and deliver their content in a specific way to a specific audience and how segmentation works.”

Praising Kadioğlu’s approach, Talei added: "Cansu was fantastic... She asked us to look up certain things in order to figure out what they mean. Then things connected, and the presentation required us to actually do work by ourselves, which didn't hinder the progress of others.”

Kadioğlu emphasised the importance of bridging theory with practice: “By analysing various companies, students can see how the theoretical knowledge they acquire applies to actual business scenarios. This practical application is crucial for their learning experience.” Her students are not just learning – they are preparing for the future, equipped with both academic knowledge and practical skills.

You can view some of the web portfolio examples here, here, and here. 

WUP 02/10/2024 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press 

A Place for Prayer and Meditation: Wittenborg Opens New Multi-faith and Well-being Room

New Space Aims to Promote Staff and Students’ Mental Health and Inclusion

As part of its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for its diverse staff and student body, Wittenborg recently implemented its first Multi-faith and Well-being Room on the Brinklaan campus, in Apeldoorn. 

Located on the building’s ground floor, the room is available during school hours without the need for prior booking. Multiple people can use the space simultaneously, as long as they respect each other's activities. For faith-based or meditative practices that require quiet or solitude, students have the option to book private time for an undisturbed environment. Additionally, anyone who wishes to use it individually or as a group may put up a ‘Do not disturb’ sign indicating that the room is in use, so that interruptions can be avoided. 

Users are expected to leave the room clean and tidy after use. The space is meant to be a place of peace, reflection and mindfulness, so users should not engage in loud conversations or any kind of disruptive behaviour. 

It is important to note that the room remains multifunctional and can still be used for meetings or final project presentations if all consultation rooms are occupied. However, most of the time, it is available for anyone seeking a quiet moment, prayer or meditation. 

Wittenborg's Head of Education Development and Quality Management, Kriszta Kaspers-Rostás, emphasises that the institution aims to create a neutral and harmonious atmosphere that welcomes all students and staff, regardless of their religious or non-religious background. 

“The room is designed to support the spiritual and emotional well-being of our students and staff, particularly within our multicultural environment. It promotes mental health, visibly fosters inclusivity and, especially for staff, encourages work-life balance. Our main goal is to enhance the student and staff experience, foster a sense of belonging and contribute to the personal development of the people who are part of the Wittenborg community.” 

Kaspers-Rostás comments that, in the future, depending on student demand and available spaces, the school may implement similar rooms at other study locations.  

Education Support Administrator Hanna Abdelwahab, who has used the room, describes it as “cosy and peaceful”, adding that it is a brilliant addition to the Brinklaan campus. “Having a dedicated space for reflection, meditation, prayer or just mental well-being shows Wittenborg’s commitment to the diverse needs of its community. This is especially important for Wittenborg, where students and staff come from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds. It’s a versatile space that students or staff can use whenever they need a quiet moment or just to take a break from work or class. Taking ‘time out’ is important and it is highly beneficial for mental, physiological and psychological health,” she says. 

Abdelwahab underlines that the school will collect user feedback regularly and review the use of the room periodically. “This way, we want to make sure that all the room users are happy with the space,” she concludes.  

WUP 30/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press 

Wittenborg Publishes Gender Pay Gap Report 2023

Women Lead in Management Roles While School Seeks to Address Gaps Among Faculty

As part of its efforts to promote equality among students and staff, including diverse cultures, genders and people with disabilities, Wittenborg recently released its first Gender Pay Gap Report, covering 2023. 

The report, which will be published annually, features data on all permanent and temporary staff employed at the school at any point during the reporting period, as well as freelance staff members. All of the school's campuses and study locations are covered, including Apeldoorn, Amsterdam and Munich.

Consistent with the nature of the organisation, most of Wittenborg’s staff members are faculty (68%), while non-academic and supporting roles account for 32%. 

Currently, 58% of all staff members are male while 42% are female. The most significant pay gaps are apparent when looking at employed staff. On average, male staff members’ mean hourly pay is 12.6% higher than it is for female staff members. When comparing median (middle) hourly pay, male staff members’ median hourly pay is 14.1% higher than it is for female staff members. 

The primary reason for this is that male staff members make up 62.6% of the school’s faculty. On average, these professionals earn salaries that are 18.9% higher than those of their female counterparts. 

This difference is caused by factors such as the age gap between male and female academics. While the average age of employed female faculty members is 43 years, the age of their male counterparts is 55 years, with more years of experience leading to higher pay.  

The qualifications of faculty members are another factor. In 2023, Wittenborg had 56 doctoral-level faculty members with PhD or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees. Out of those, only 28.6% were female and 71.4% were male. Among the scholarly academics at Wittenborg, only 34% were female. 

However, the situation is reversed when only the professional employed staff is considered. Females represent 50.9% of this category, holding 66.7% of the school’s executive positions and making up 60% of the management team. As a result, female professional staff members earn on average 8.5% more than their male counterparts, with a median pay gap of 12.6%.

Measures to address gender gaps

While Wittenborg takes pride in the fact that the majority of its leadership roles are held by women, the institution seeks to increase female representation in its faculty.  

The school has been making significant progress in attracting more highly qualified female faculty members. Between 2022 and 2023, the percentage of doctoral-level female faculty members went up from 21.5% to 28.6%. Similarly, 34% of Wittenborg’s scholarly academic faculty members were female in 2023, against 20.4% in 2022. 

Additionally, the institution actively supports female faculty members to develop further and obtain higher qualifications. In 2023, it supported three female faculty members with their PhD or DBA studies, which represents 75% of faculty members receiving support with their studies. 

Wittenborg’s HR manager, Maike Zürcher, emphasises that resources like the Gender Pay Gap Report play a key role in advancing the school’s equality and inclusion efforts. “At Wittenborg, one of our priorities is to promote gender equality among our staff and students, aligned with the school’s core value of diversity. While we’ve made significant progress over the years, we continue to evolve and strive toward a more inclusive and equitable environment for women, as well as individuals of all nationalities, ethnicities, cultures and sexual orientations,” she stresses.

WUP 27/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press 

Wittenborg Wraps Up Successful Baltic Tour

Wittenborg's Mykhailo Huba Reflects on Successful Visit to Lithuania and Latvia

Wittenborg recently concluded its engaging visit to the Baltic region, having participated in the Higher Education Abroad exhibition organised by the educational company KALBA.  

The events took place on 20 September in Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city, on 21 September in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and on 22 September in Riga, the capital of Latvia.

During these exhibitions, Wittenborg’s Regional Admissions Manager, Mykhailo Huba, had the opportunity to meet with numerous prospective students and their families. Huba provided valuable insights into studying in the Netherlands, including guidance on selecting the right study programme, starting an academic journey, exploring study financing options and what to expect post-graduation.

Reflecting on the exhibitions, Huba noted the positive reception from attendees. "The fairs in the Baltic countries were busy and, in my opinion, very successful. I had many visitors who were eager to learn about studying abroad and the opportunities available at Wittenborg. It was a fantastic experience."

The exhibitions provided a platform for Wittenborg to showcase its offerings and address the specific interests and concerns of prospective students. Huba highlighted that the discussions were particularly focused on the advantages of studying at Wittenborg, including the vibrant student life, its diverse academic programmes and the six entry dates a year for all degrees. 

WUP 26/09/2024 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press 

Reaching Out to the World: Wittenborg’s Participation in EAIE Toulouse a Success

Representatives Promote School and Strengthen Old and New Partnerships at EAIE

From 17 to 20 September, Wittenborg participated in the 34th EAIE (European Association for International Education) conference, one of the most important events in the higher education sector.  

Held in Toulouse, France, the conference gathered more than 7,300 participants from 110 countries among educators, policymakers, student agents and industry professionals. The EAIE programme included keynote speeches by seasoned experts, workshops, networking sessions, poster presentations and plenaries, among other activities.  

Wittenborg was represented by its President Peter Birdsall, CEO Maggie Feng, Deputy Head of the School of Business Dadi Chen, Head of Education Development and Quality Management Kriszta Kaspers-Rostás and Customer Relations Manager Kejsi Hoxha.  

In addition to maintaining a beautifully designed stand, where discussions took place with prospective partners and education professionals of various nationalities, the Wittenborg representatives also attended various inspiring events and sessions. 

One of the highlights was the roundtable session ‘Harnessing diversity, equality and inclusion in internationalisation strategies’. Peter Birdsall and Krista Kaspers-Rostás were the speakers for this activity, together with Irene Diez, the International Office and Double Degree Coordinator at FHNW School of Business (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland). 

Focusing on the debate around the ‘neutrality’ of higher education internationalisation and whether it might inadvertently sustain existing inequalities, the session sought to examine ways to enhance diversity and internationalisation strategies in higher education. 

Additionally, Deputy Head of the School of Business Dadi Chen and Kaspers-Rostás presented a poster on the development of the entrepreneurial competences of international students through continuous and thorough assessments. This activity discussed how Wittenborg has adopted comprehensive practices combined with real-time assessment and feedback to support students in a 360-degree way, as in real workplaces.  

Chen said that he was honoured to represent Wittenborg at EAIE, highlighting that the school has participated in the event for many years.  

“It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world and learn about the latest trends in international education. I was particularly proud to present our poster, because instead of only observing and learning what other higher education institutions do, we were able to share our experiences with them and gain quite some visibility. I'm confident that we have so much to share, and we should encourage our colleagues to contribute more to present the educational research done at Wittenborg on international platforms like EAIE,” he underlined.  

For Customer Relations Manager Kejsi Hoxha, the conference was an amazing opportunity to meet with several valued partners and education agents to discuss the future of higher education and the importance of international collaboration. “We successfully signed new partnerships that will strengthen Wittenborg’s global network and create even more opportunities for our students. This way, we're building bridges for knowledge and innovation across borders,” she commented. 

WUP 26/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press 

Ron Tuninga Appointed as Wittenborg’s New Rector

Experienced Academic Brings Expertise Back to School After Leadership Role at AACSB EMEA  

Wittenborg is pleased to announce that its former Vice President of Academic Affairs Ron Tuninga will be the institution’s new Rector starting on 1 October. 

Professor Tuninga, an experienced academic in the field of international business and marketing, served as Vice President and Managing Director of AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from 2022 to 2024. 

At Wittenborg, he will play an important role in leading the school’s management team through the final phase of its AACSB accreditation process. Additionally, he will oversee various academic initiatives and represent the institution in discussions with accreditation agencies, other universities and schools, strategic partners and government organisations. 

Professor Tuninga expressed his enthusiasm for the new role. “It is an honour and privilege to take on this new role in exciting times for Wittenborg and the field of business education and research. I look forward to working with my colleagues at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences and sharing my knowledge and experience in global business education. Together with President Peter Birdsall, CEO Maggie Feng and the colleagues, we will continue to develop Wittenborg, connecting applied theory and practice at the next level to better serve students and the business community in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands and beyond.” 

Birdsall, emphasised Tuninga’s potential to help the school develop new projects and broaden its horizons. “We are very happy to have Ron back with the team because he has always been a valuable partner and leader. His expertise and experience will inspire us to achieve new heights,” he stated. 

Feng also praised Tuninga, noting his professional competencies and alignment with the school’s values. “Ron is a close friend to us, and throughout his career, he has been a strong supporter and advocate of internationalisation and diversity. This is not only good for Wittenborg, but also for the Dutch education system and society, especially during important debates regarding its future.”  

WUP 25/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press 

Meet Wittenborg’s New Bachelor’s and Master’s Specialisations

Options Include Fields of Technology, Healthcare, Accounting, Engineering and Human Resources

To stay aligned with market trends and provide students with more career options, Wittenborg has been offering new master’s specialisations in diverse fields since 1 September. 

The school has introduced both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Business Management (MBM) in Applied Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The focus of these degrees is to prepare leaders who can integrate advanced ICT solutions with business strategies, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. 

Moreover, the institution now has five new MBM specialisations that have been expanded from their MBA counterparts, in the areas of Healthcare, Clean Technology, Smart Industry, Digital Transformation and Data Analytics. 

The introduction of new study options will continue in 2025. From February, Wittenborg plans to implement brand new degrees in Engineering, focusing on a pivotal sector that drives innovation and sustainability across multiple industries. 

Other exciting developments will be the MBA and MBM in Nursing, aimed at qualifying professionals in areas including advanced healthcare policies, leadership in nursing and strategic resource management. 

For the students and professionals who want to specialise in Accounting, there will be two master’s options in this field, exploring areas such as financial reporting, managerial accounting, auditing and taxation, coupled with courses in leadership, ethical decision making and strategic management. 

Also starting from 2025, the school will offer a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Human Resource Management. This programme will be targeted to students aiming to understand the complexities of human resource management, including talent acquisition, staff development, performance management and employee relations.

Wittenborg's Specialisations  

Wittenborg CEO Maggie Feng underlines that the Netherlands has a high demand for professionals qualified in technical fields, and the school aims to help bridge this gap. 

“Dutch society faces significant demographic challenges, and the country needs highly qualified international professionals to join the workforce. Wittenborg offers plenty of degrees in thriving fields such as technology, engineering and smart industry. These are great pathways for people who want to start or develop their careers in the Netherlands. As a dynamic business school, we are constantly working to improve and update our programmes, as well as create new and relevant study options.”  

To learn more about all programmes and specialisations, check out this page of Wittenborg’s website. 

WUP 24/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press 

Wittenborg Renovates and Improves Student Accommodation

School Upgrades Separate Apartments and Dormitory Building

To provide students with more comfortable, functional and attractive accommodation, Wittenborg is renovating many of its housing facilities. The work has been completed on five separate apartments located in South Apeldoorn, at Marchantstraat 13 and 27, Albardastraat 138 and 192, and Lekstraat 165. 

The renovations were carried out by GY Renovaties last July, while the furnishing and decoration are currently underway, managed by Wittenborg staff and volunteer students. The apartments will be reopened to the student community at the beginning of October, just in time for the new students joining in the October intake. 

Among other improvements, the facilities now feature new kitchens, toilets and bathrooms. The buildings’ interiors, including floors and walls, have also been renovated, and all facilities have been furnished with completely new furniture. 

Student Housing Administrator Christine Allamby underlines the high quality of the renovation works done on the apartments. “Having seen both the before and after, I can guarantee that these apartments truly feel like a home and provide a great transition for new students. I feel proud and even a little jealous, as I wouldn’t mind living in them myself!”

According to Housing and Facility Caretaker Arno van den Belt, the new apartments look “unbelievably beautiful.” He adds that everyone who has viewed them is very enthusiastic. 

Wittenborg’s dormitory building at Ruyterstraat 3 is also undergoing renovation, beginning with the bathrooms and toilets. The goal is to complete the renovation of the entire building by the end of the year. 

Currently, the school offers 75 studios, nine apartments (totalling 36 rooms) and one dormitory with 34 rooms. Wittenborg’s accommodation services are used by 101 students. 

CEO Maggie Feng highlights that finding housing in the Netherlands can be challenging. For this reason, the school seeks to provide high-quality and affordable accommodation for students. “We want our students to make the most of their experience, and housing is a fundamental element in this process. By using our services, they are sure to have comfort, safety and quality of life, which positively impacts their academic performance.”  

Feng explains that the institution offers housing to the new students upon their arrival. After a few months, they are expected to find more suitable accommodation themselves as they will be acclimatised to life in a new city and country. “By then, they will be able to secure their accommodation based on their personal needs, budget and style. At the moment, we are helping them during their first months in the Netherlands, but Wittenborg is working with landowners, the Apeldoorn city council and other stakeholders to invest in more student accommodation, in both short-stay and more permanent options.” 

WUP 23/09/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press