Annual Wittenborg BBQ

What better way is there to start the new academic year than with a BBQ? About 80 students, staff members and teachers gathered on 7 October at NETT Drinks & Soulfood in Apeldoorn to enjoy their time talking, eating, drinking and socialising during one of the first in-person get-togethers since the start of the pandemic.

Students and staff gathered next to the BBQ station, enjoying the heat of the fire while getting to know each other in an informal and friendly environment. Some new students got the chance to meet their classmates and instructors in person for the first time since their arrival.

"Like a Dream"

“Gathering with friends seemed like a dream", said Sarah, an MBM student from Iran. "I was counting down the days to the event. Meeting classmates, friends, teachers and staff members in such a warm environment is joyful, and for international students it is like being with your family.” Sarah was also enthusiastic about the food, with plenty of options on offer for both meat lovers and vegetarians.

Dipank, an IBA student from India, said the event was very friendly and he enjoyed reuniting with old friends.

A Fond Goodbye

During the event, Wittenborg also said goodbye to its long-term faculty member and valued colleague Dr Teun Wolters, Professor of Applied Sciences, who has been teaching at Wittenborg for 10 years. As a professor who is retiring, Dr Wolters will now officially become Emeritus Professor of Applied Sciences. The occasion was used to remember his development, impact and achievements at Wittenborg in a speech by Wittenborg’s President and Chair of the Executive, Peter Birdsall. As an Emeritus Professor of Applied Sciences, Dr Wolters will stay connected with the institute by serving as an external marker and participating in projects in the future.

For Ahlam, an MBM student from Morocco, the honouring of Dr Teun Wolters was “the highlight of this event".

Looking Ahead

As more and more students come back to campus, Wittenborg expects events like this to attract even more attendees in the future. Wittenborg encourages as many students as possible to participate because events like this are not only fun, but also help to prepare students for their professional lives by expanding networking skills and the ability to navigate diverse environments.

WUP 15/10/2021
by Bahar Asl and Marius Zürcher
©WUAS Press