Edition: June 2013
Welcome
A year in the life of an MBA student
Ever wondered what it is like to study at a business school? Want to know what
the MBA experience is all about? Have you got what it takes to survive the
pressure cooker that is an MBA? Then read on: in this newsletter we share with
you, in addition to the regular updates on programs, events and publications, a
year in the life a typical MsM MBA student in Maastricht. I hope you will agree
with me that the MsM MBA offers an exhilarating journey, a rich experience that
shapes business leaders to effectively manage global, multicultural organizations.
Dean Director
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September: Moving to Maastricht and opening of Academic Year
The adventure of “A Year in the Life of an MBA Student” started on 17
September with the official opening of the academic year 2012-2013. During the
first weeks of the new academic year, the atmosphere at MsM was full of
excitement: a new country, a new environment, new people all with different
cultural backgrounds, new professors, new teaching methods, … Luckily, there
was enough time before the official start of the program to get acquainted with
each other, the city of Maastricht and of course MsM.
During the introduction program, students were able to take part in various
workshops, such as a workshop on Alternate Learning Styles by Ms. Mirjam
Frijns, but also in special activities such as a student debate, a city walk in
Maastricht and a guided tour in the Zonneberg Caves. The students’ creativity
skills were put to the test during a challenging creative session organized by Ger
Jonkergouw (e.g. communication skills, reviewing skills, feedback skills, exploring
the world of the sub-consciousness at both individual and team level, socializing
and using the left and right brain competences).
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A pressure cooker called MsM
“One thing that I remember very clearly from the first day at MsM is the phrase
“pressure cooker” that everybody likes to use very much. In the beginning I was
not really sure what this meant, but once the program started, the lectures,
assignments, exams and again lectures, assignments, exams soon made it clear.
The program was very intense and challenging and required a huge amount of
effort and energy (not to forget the sleepless nights before the exams), but
nevertheless it was a great experience filled with knowledge, I can most certainly
and proudly say that this one year of studies was the best and most
educational/enriching academic year of my life.”
Mr. Dino Mustafic from Bosnia-Herzegovina, MBA29 student
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October: Official classes start!
Finally, the time has come for the take-off of the MBA classes and lectures. The
MBA program starts with a Foundation part which provides a solid knowledge
base in each of the major disciplines. Already from the beginning students had to
roll up their sleeves with the first exams on Managing Cultural Diversity and on
Accounting for Managers (I) being scheduled on 16 and 31 October. An inspiring
guest lecture by Jeroen Swolfs, a Dutch photojournalist who captures life in
every capital of every country in his project Streets of the World, provided a
welcome change from the pressure of lectures and study assignments. So did the
event organized by MsM’s Associate Professor Dr. André de Waal to celebrate
the launch his new book ‘What makes a High Performance Organization?’
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Meet Professor Aad van Mourik, PhD
Aad van Mourik is not only MsM’s Director Education, but he also serves as the
Academic Coordinator for the MBA programs. He lectures in managerial
economics and international economic policy in MsM’s (E)MBA programs in the
Netherlands as well as at MsM’s partner institutions abroad. A busy man, who
graduated from the department of economics at the Free University of
Amsterdam and holds a PhD in economics from Maastricht University. Do you
want to learn more about Aad, his lectures, and his teaching style?
Watch this video!
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November: Intercultural exchanges with National Bank of Belgium and High School Pupils
The month of November was marked by intercultural meetings. Students were
able to put the knowledge gained during the courses Accounting for Managers I
and II into practice during a work visit to the National Bank of Belgium on 21
November, and to share life experiences with a group of high school students
during a visit to Sint-Maartentscollege in Maastricht on 26 November. This last
meeting gave the young students the opportunity to learn first-hand how
different life can be in other countries; for the group of MsM students the
exchange provided a fresh perspective on their Dutch hosts, their lifestyles and
aspirations.
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December: Exciting times
An ‘Important Meeting’ was scheduled in the beginning of December. The
content had to remain a mystery until the final moment. Once the students were
all present, ‘Zwarte Piet’ burst into the room with a loud scream before throwing
“pepernootjes” (cinnamon biscuits) around the room. Shortly after, and
displaying more decorum, ‘Sinterklaas’ entered the room from another entrance.
For most students, this was their first acquaintance with Sinterklaas and Zwarte
Piet. The event brought some welcome glee to the serious courses and the
preparations for the exams on Managerial Economics and Business Statistics,
which were scheduled in the week before the Christmas Holiday. These were the
last two exams of the MBA’s Foundation segment.
The city of Maastricht is geographically located in the heart of Europe and is an
easy hub to travel to many different countries in a short period of time. Many
students took advantage of the Christmas Holidays to travel around Europe and
discovered all the history and culture that is out there.
Read more
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January: New year, new phase in the MBA program
The new year started with a new segment of the MBA curriculum; the Core
phase offers courses with a broader focus, which are more integrated and are
often multidisciplinary in nature.
MsM is an institution with a multicultural community. It is committed to making
sure that students do not only attain a diploma at the end of their MBA but also
experience different cultures through social activities. This month, there were
two special social activities: MsM and the Sint-Maartenscollege held a grand
finale of intercultural meetings between students from both schools, and a group
of MBA students took the initiative to organize an African night; an evening filled
with African music, food, clothing and dancing.
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Broadening of cultural horizons with the Mentorship program
Studying an MBA is not all about economic and organizational theory. Learning is
also about doing and being. MsM has a Mentorship program in which Dutch
senior managers mentor an MsM MBA student.
“This experience is amazing and helpful. The chance to interact and network with
people at this level is an unforgettable opportunity.” (Ms. Kayitesi Betty from
Rwanda, mentored by Rotary Oost Maastricht)
“It was really a fantastic experience. This was my first time of seeing a survey
being carried out through telephone calls and this will be a plus to preparation
toward my final MBA thesis”. (Mr. Alfred Asapeo from Ghana about his visit to
the Call Center of CBS in Heerlen, together with his mentor, Mr. Wim de Witte)
“We discovered that we were both interested in issues related to sustainable and
renewable energy. Mr. Bimmel showed me that he is a man who is well vested in
issues of sustainable energy and considering that my country is beginning to
develop initiatives to promote sustainable energy sources in the light of climate
change issues, I believe I will learn a lot from this great man.” (Mr. Morgan
Mwesa from Zambia about his first meeting with his mentor Rob Bimmel from
Any Further Questions).
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February: Crazy days in Maastricht
It’s that time of the year again: Carnival in Maastricht. For three days, everyone
can take part in exciting, colorful street celebrations, dress in fancy costumes and
watch the grand parade. MsM’s MBA students were introduced to the
Maastricht Carnival during a festive afternoon with unique costumes, music,
drinks and snacks.
February days are not only hectic because of Carnival, but also because of a busy
schedule with exams in the courses “Global Supply Chain Management” and
“Business in the Global Arena”. In addition, students had to submit their onepage research proposal. Exciting!!
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March: Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity in Business
Every year, MsM organizes a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) conference,
featuring interactive workshops with MBA students and international business
representatives. This year, we welcomed speakers from Shell, Heineken, Douwe
Egberts, RGR Business Consultants Ltd, ING, Triodos and Radboud University.
International Women’s Day was celebrated at MsM during a one-day seminar on
‘Diversity in Business’, organized for students and MsM business relations. Six
speakers from various companies and groups debated on gender diversity. One
of the speakers was Ms. Annette van Waning of Vebego International CSR
Manager of the year 2012.
Interested in learning more about the impact of women in the economy? Apply
for our three-week Executive Program on Women Entrepreneurship Promotion
(WEP).
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April: We love the Netherlands!
Studying at MsM enriches you with broad knowledge on topics such as
Innovation & New Business Ventures or Global Corporate Strategy. But studying
at MsM also enriches you with new cultural perspectives. MBA students had the
chance to learn more about the Netherlands during a work visit to the Flower
Auction in Aalsmeer, the largest one in the world, and to the Delta Works, a
series of construction projects in the southwest of the Netherlands aiming to
protect a large area of land around the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta from the sea.
Students also celebrated Koninginnedag (Queen's Day), a Dutch national holiday
commemorating the birthday of the former Queen Juliana. This year’s Queen’s
Day was very special because it coincided with the abdication of Queen Beatrix
and the royal inauguration of King Willem-Alexander.
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May: Working towards the specialization phase
Global Corporate Strategy: the last course of the Core segment, before the
specialization phase starts. In this course, students learn all about the fact that
developing and executing a global corporate strategy requires a strong strategic
foundation. After the exam, the Specialization segment of the program starts.
Students of the MBA program have the opportunity to choose from the following
expert specialization courses: i) Corporate Strategy and Economic Policy, ii)
Accounting & Finance, iii) Management Information Systems and iv)
International Business.
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From Lima to Limburg: Business Education for Peru’s Top MBAs
No less than 44 Peruvian students from our joint International MBA program
with CENTRUM Católica Business School visited MsM for lectures and interaction
with our international student body in Maastricht. In addition to their formal
academic program, the participants visited and networked with a number of
local companies, including Vopak, IKEA and Gulpener.
Furthermore, they experienced the links between politics and policy making
during a visit to the European Council in Brussels, only a short distance from
MsM. The group enjoyed being immersed in a different culture from their own,
enjoyed time spent with other MsM students and with each other, creating
stronger bonds within the group, and above all, enjoyed the warm hospitality of
the Maastricht School of Management.
Read more
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June: The final stretch
With the end of the official courses of the MBA program in sight, students are
working on their last assignments and exams before finalizing their thesis and
one can almost feel the tension in the MsM building. For many students the
annual MsM soccer tournament comes as a relief to and as a moment to simply
have fun together. This is their opportunity to display their multiple skills in
extracurricular activities!
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Morgan about his year as an MsM MBA student
Morgan Kapeya Mwesa from Zambia is a student in our current MBA class.
Watch this video in which he tells about his year as an MBA student at MsM; why
he chose to pursue an MBA, why MsM, studying and living in Maastricht and his
highlights of the year.
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July to September: Outlook towards Graduation
The fact that there are no classes in the months July and August does not mean
that the students can benefit from free time and maybe even a little summer (if
Dutch weather allows). No, they need to work on finalizing their thesis and to
prepare their thesis dissertation. We hope to congratulate all of them during the
official graduation ceremony which will take place on 5 September at the
premises of Maastricht School of Management. During this ceremony a large
number of ambassadors will be present to personally congratulate the students
from their country.
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The next step: How your MBA will help you in your future endeavors
Mr. Rahul Mane shares his thoughts on the first lesson he learned from his
studies at MsM after returning to his home country India upon graduation:
“The MBA program was intense and designed to be extremely challenging. The
many interactions I had with my colleagues and the academic faculty were most
satisfying. Time management was one of the key lessons I learned from MsM,
besides the relevance and importance of business and professional networkin, in
today’s times. I also learned the significance of finding opportunities in the most
trying environment. I learned the lesson of believing in myself and my convictions
above all else”.
Rahul Mane from India MBA28 graduate (2012).
Click here to read the whole interview with Rahul
New and Upcoming Programs
Maastricht Summer School - Still a few places available!
Project Cycle Management Course
This course is offered especially for undergraduate students
Venue: Maastricht, the Netherlands
Course date: 8-19 July 2013
Maastricht Summer School - Still a few places available!
Women Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries
This course is offered especially for undergraduate students
Venue: Maastricht, the Netherlands
Course date: 22 July - 2 August 2013
3-week Executive Program
Sustainable Tourism Management (STM)
Venue: Maastricht, the Netherlands
Application deadline: 15 July 2013
Course date: 26 August – 13 September 2013
Part-time Executive MBA program
Offered by Maastricht School of Management and CBS Cologne.
Venues: Maastricht, the Netherlands and Cologne, Germany. Study attachment
in Shanghai, China.
Application deadline: 1 August 2013
Start: September 2013
NEW Executive program
Business in Russia and the Netherlands
Venues: Maastricht, the Netherlands and Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Application deadline: 30 August 2013
Course date: 30 September - 10 October
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NEW MSc program
Master of Science in Management and Engineering in Production Systems
Offered by Maastricht School of Management and RWTH Aachen University
Venues: Maastricht, the Netherlands and Aachen, Germany
Start: September 2013
NEW Executive program
Project Cycle Management
Application deadline: 15 November 2013
Course date: 13 – 17 January 2014
Click here for all our programs
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New and Recent Publications
Visit our research portal or click on the links below to access our Working Paper
Series. The MsM Working Paper Series was established in 2011 to disseminate
the early research findings of MsM Faculty and students.
Recent titles include:
Maritime piracy – the challenge of providing long-term solutions
Author: Stephanie Jones
Working Paper No. 2013/15
Can Certain Intellectual Property Rights both Protect and Promote Unique
Traditional Products and Cultural Heritage from Developing Countries for
Economic Benefit? The Case of Georgia
Author: Patrick Martens
Working Paper No. 2013/14
Click here for all MsM Working Papers
Latest and Upcoming Events
MsM website in Chinese!
To meet the expetations of the Chinese market, MsM recently launched a
Chinese website. Later this year we expect to come up with our Spanish website,
so keep watching us!
Energy and International Business at Azerbaijan Day: Pioneering Trade,
Education and Cultural Exchanges between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands
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Russia-Netherlands Bilateral Year
MsM offers a rich menu of events to promote the Netherlands and Russia
bilateral year, 2013. Events cover the business, cultural, political and
entrepreneurial dynamics that managers and investors need to consider when
doing business with Russia. Click here for an updated list of events.
Azerbaijan Day in the Netherlands
To recognize the growing business, scientific and cultural exchanges between
The Netherlands and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Maastricht School of
Management (MsM) will be hosting: ‘Azerbaijan Day in the Netherlands’
When: 24 May 2013
Venue: Maastricht School of Management
MsM's 3rd Annual Research Conference
Revolutions in Education: New Opportunities for Development?
When: 6 September 2013
Submission abstracts: 30 May 2013
Venue: Maastricht School of Management
Organization: Maastricht School of Management and the Department of
Educational Research and Development at the University of Maastricht
Call for Papers:
The Impact of Global Economic Integration and Information Networking on
Sustainable Corporate Development
12-13 June 2014, Nanjing, China
Click here for all our events
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Contact Maastricht School of Management
Address:
Endepolsdomein 150
Maastricht 6228 EP
The Netherlands
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Websites:
www.msm.nl
Questions or remarks about this newsletter?
Email: info@msm.nl
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