International Relations at Maastricht University SBE
What does international collaboration mean to you, and how does it shape your work at Maastricht University?
International collaboration lies at the heart of everything I do. It is about much more than student exchanges or institutional agreements; it is about building long-term relationships that create opportunities for students, staff, alumni, and our partners around the world.
At SBE, we work with an extensive international network of universities, companies, and organisations. These partnerships enable our students to gain valuable international experiences through exchange programmes, internships, international projects, and collaborative initiatives. At the same time, they allow us to learn from one another and continuously improve the quality of our education and international activities.
For me personally, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work is connecting people. Bringing together colleagues, students, alumni, and external partners often leads to new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities that would not have happened otherwise. In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, I believe these personal relationships remain the foundation of successful international cooperation.
In your role, you work closely with a wide international network. How important are the Dutch academic and business communities in supporting these connections?
The Dutch academic and business communities play an essential role in strengthening our international network. Maastricht University benefits from being part of a highly international higher education system, where collaboration with other Dutch universities, research institutions, government organisations, and companies creates additional opportunities for our students and partners.
Within SBE, we actively connect our international activities with the Dutch business community. Companies provide internship opportunities, guest lectures, company visits, case competitions, and collaborative projects that enrich the student experience and strengthen the practical relevance of our programmes. These connections also help international students build professional networks in the Netherlands while offering Dutch organisations access to highly talented international students.
At the same time, our international partnerships create value for Dutch organisations by opening doors to new collaborations, knowledge exchange, research opportunities, and access to global talent. Internationalisation is therefore not a one-way process; it is a continuous exchange that benefits students, universities, businesses, and society as a whole.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for strengthening international engagement and collaboration through your work at Maastricht University?
My ambition is simple: I want every SBE student who wishes to gain an international experience to have the opportunity to do so, whether through an academic exchange, an international internship, or another meaningful experience abroad. At the same time, I want to further strengthen and deepen the relationships we have with our international partners. Long-term partnerships built on mutual trust create the greatest value for our students and institutions alike.
One of my priorities is to further expand our network of internship opportunities in Hong Kong. Student interest in gaining professional experience there continues to grow, and Hong Kong offers a unique combination of an international business environment, a dynamic financial sector, and strong links between East and West. Developing a robust pipeline of internship hosts will allow more students to translate their academic learning into valuable international work experience.
More broadly, I hope to continue building partnerships that not only support student mobility but also encourage innovation, collaboration, and meaningful connections between universities, industry, alumni, and society. Ultimately, internationalisation is about creating opportunities that prepare our students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
If any organisations are interested in learning more about hosting an SBE Emerging Markets student, I would be delighted to start a conversation.
Partner universities in Hong Kong
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong, College of Business
- Hong Kong Baptist University, School of Business
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, PolyU Business School
- The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, School of Business & Management
The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Business & Economics
