March saw another very successful exchange visit to NHTV University of Applied Science by Cliff Van Wyk, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Media and Communication.
In the 30th year of the association between the two universities, Cliff delivered lectures on Account Management and Global Strategy, and then facilitated a ‘pitch’ exercise which comprised workshops and formative assessment on the student team pitch proposal presentations. “It’s always a pleasure working with NHTV academics and students. This year we based the practical exercise on a pitch for the Quorn brand, based on the application of lecture subject material. NHTV students tackled the exercise enthusiastically, and proposals were of a high standard” Cliff said.
Cliff Van Wyk delivering a lecture to NHTV final-year Accounting Planning students
Several of the students involved in this group were members of the NHTV party that had spent 10 days at Bournemouth University in August last year, engaged in a media production programme.
The association between Bournemouth University and NHTV (soon to be renamed Breda University) continues to go from strength to strength. Over the years, it has spanned several subject groups at both universities, including Advertising and Marketing Communications, Tourism, Hospitality, Media Production and Computer Animation. This has seen numerous staff and student exchanges, and it has resulted in strong mutual benefits such as curriculum development, joint research and practical projects, and enhanced industry engagement.
NHTV students delivering their Global Strategy proposals
NHTV University, located in the historic city of Breda, delivers all courses and programmes in English. These cover a broad range of subject areas, and it has particularly strong links to Dutch industry in hospitality, advertising, media and media production, virtual reality and gaming. Breda itself is a picturesque and historic city, located in the south of the Netherlands, and is a 45-minute train journey from Amsterdam.
Based on the nature and results of the association, Cliff and Arnould Versluis (of NHTV) have been asked to deliver a presentation on inter-university associations and industry engagement at the EDCOM conference in Vienna in May. This conference is hosted by EACA, the European Association of Communication Agencies.
Breda Town Centre with the historical Grote Kerk (dating from 1410) in the background
In summing up this exchange, Cliff Van Wyk said: “This was my seventh visit to NHTV and it is always an enjoyable and productive experience. I would strongly urge BU academics and students to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by our Global Mobility initiatives, and the Erasmus+ programme. The benefits are numerous, not least of which is the chance to make new friendships and to build useful and lasting connections within academia, and with industry”.