Inspirational launch of IBS in Business

'It seems simple and it is!' This was one of the lessons learnt during the opening event of IBS in Business on 22 January 2007. Nearly 100 guests coming from various companies in the region attended a festive afternoon programme at the Meerwold conference center. Guests were welcomed by four futuristic looking figures on hight stilts (called 'steltlopers' in Dutch), dressed in silver, who showed them the way to the conference room.

After a word of welcome by IBS Dean Paul Ganzeboom, Wiebe Wieling (member of the Board of Hanzehogeschool Groningen) took the floor. He gave a presentation on knowledge circulation, applied research and knowledge centres at the Hanzehogeschool. Wiebe Wieling put the launching of IBS in Business in a broader perspective, by taking account of the strategic plans of the HBO Council and the Hanzehogeschool. He stressed two important focus points of the Hanzehogeschool by 2010: to develop from an educational institute into a knowledge institute, and to operate from an international perspective. The IBS in Business initiative fits perfectly in this strategy.

The word was then given to Ron van Gent, Director of MKB Noord. He focused on the importance of small and medium-sized companies in the region. He was followed by Ger de Bruin, Director of Zernike Group Holding, whose speech had the catching title ‘IBS in Business for Dummies’. His message, borrowed from the Dutch organization Loesje, was ‘it seems simple and it is’ (in Dutch: ‘het lijkt simpel en dat is het ook’). Something to keep in mind at all times, even in business!

After an introduction by the new IBS lector Frank Jan de Graaf on applied research for northern businesses, IBS in Business manager Bram ten Kate gave the official kick-off of the Business Match International. Business Match International’s goal is to stimulate local companies to become more international. In this competition, a company and a student are linked to each other in an assignment. Acting as a team, they work on this assignment the entire school year. In June, the best executed assignment goes home with a trophy. The aim is to have ten teams competing this year, of which six teams have been formed already. All teams will be coached by a professional jury.

Once the afternoon had come to an end, the visitors made their way to the ‘borrel’ and were approached once more by the ‘stiltwalkers’, this time dressed up as mysterious Buddhas, with exquisite body painting. All in all an inspiring launching event of IBS in Business!