29 May 2009
Leeuwarden – Agents, partners, general managers and marketing managers of Stenden university’s campus sites met at Leeuwarden during a conference from 25th to 29th May to share their knowledge and experience on Stenden university’s international aspirations and ambitions. The conference was organized by Stenden university’s executive board together with the marketing department, and proved very successful.
“Making connections is something we do continuously in our environment: the government and the business community”, said Stenden President Robert Veenstra in his opening speech of the conference. “In the next few days you will be informed about the developments in two of the cities where we are located - Leeuwarden and Emmen, by the mayors of these cities.
I am very honoured that mayor Crone of Leeuwarden and mayor Bijl of Emmen will strengthen their ties with Stenden in this way.”
Stenden wants to develop into an international ‘new university’, with scientific research and knowledge circulation serving its education. This demands a strong identity, excellent quality of education and smart marketing. Stenden Vice President Mr. Klaas-Wybo van der Hoek elaborated on Stenden’s education system, Problem Based Learning (PBL), and its goals. A public PBL session later that day, also proved very instructive. The approach and output of PBL were considered ‘a big surprise’, according to several participants.
Much attention was paid to highlighting the Stenden campus sites and the possibilities that Stenden students are offered there. “Take a walk around”, Mr. Robert Veenstra urged the participants. “Feel the atmosphere, see what is going on and you will know the feeling. Even if the campus sites are different, the Stenden DNA is very much present. To convey this feeling, to share this character, is as far as I am concerned one of the most important objectives of this Conference - Growth in Connection. Stenden has so much to offer. Now and in the future, on all our campus sites.”
The conference guests were very interested and animated participants. They were inspired by the presentation on the Stenden brand name by marketing director Mr. Fulco Claassen: “Stenden has a beautiful logo, which fully represents its business strategy. It embodies our ambitions. We are an international university, yet close by. This offers great opportunities to our recruiting agents for promoting Stenden on their national markets.”
After the opening speeches the many participants from all over the world were inspired for three days by key note speakers from the industry underlining the importance of the connection between marketing, education and the industry.
Stenden University can look back on a valuable and successful conference week. During the conference week a Grand Tour market was organized.
Pictures conference 2009