Nick Wagenaar (Education Manager) opened the morning, after which supervisors were introduced to our university of applied sciences and the student profile. A central theme was the link between our education and the key challenges facing the Rotterdam region: from building a sustainable delta and a future-proof economy to fostering a vital community and a smart & social city — areas where our students are making an impact today and will continue to do so in the future.
Ryan Gentle (Course Coordinator) then presented the figures for this academic year, highlighting the diversity of our internships:
- 300 Business Administration interns active in the professional field
- Spread across just as many organizations, from micro-enterprises to large corporations, both in the Netherlands and abroad
- With sectors such as financial services, transport & logistics, industry, and retail among the top six
What defines our students? Curious, solution-oriented, and always eager to learn and reflect. Together with the guidance they receive from organizations, they grow into strong professionals.
Next, student intern Marianny Ibrahim, her company supervisor at Unique, Liselotte Duym, and internship lecturer Zouhair Saddiki shared their personal experiences in a panel discussion moderated by Nick Wagenaar — recognizable, inspiring, and sometimes with a touch of humor.
Arjen van Klink, Director of the Knowledge Center for Business Innovation, demonstrated how current challenges in Rotterdam’s business community are linked to research and publications that provide practical insights and tools.
We are eager to involve our students in tackling these real-world challenges. Mark Roest (Senior Lecturer) explained how sustainable collaborations between the program and companies are formed. The added value of such partnerships was further emphasized in a video featuring the director of Bram Ladage. Several companies expressed interest in future collaboration by scanning a QR code.
The morning concluded with a networking session: in small groups, guided by an internship lecturer, participants shared experiences, made new connections, and looked ahead to the upcoming internship period and potential collaborations.
We look back on an inspiring event and sincerely thank all participants — lecturers and supervisors alike — for their commitment and energy.
Here’s to a successful internship year ahead!
