On November 27th, Eliane Khoury, managing director of VFA Solutions, handed over the first copy of position paper “A national alumni strategy” to His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands. This position paper displays the strategy of organisation Nuffic on how to connect international students to the Netherlands. A select company of directors and spokespersons of the House of Representatives was present at this gathering.
The Netherlands is high ranking in all listings and is among the most prosperous countries in the world. This position has been acquired by focussing on talent, knowledge and innovation. It is important to maintain this focus. The new government provides funds for the expansion of the diplomatic network and the internationalization of higher education. These steps become even more effective when they are imbedded in a broad strategy to strengthen the position of the Netherlands in the world. The question is, what needs to be done to achieve this?
This was the main question of the meeting organized by Nuffic (a Dutch organisation for internationalization of education) and the Advisory board for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI). These organisations research how international students can be connected to the Netherlands.
During the gathering, recommendations listed in the reports that came about under their direction were explained, a podium was offered for formal international students who settled down in the Netherlands and the possibilities for cooperation in knowledge, innovation and business were discussed. Supplementary, His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, based on his experiences as special envoy for start-ups, reflected on the current Dutch economic and knowledge diplomacy.
Eliane Khoury, managing director of VFA Solutions, participated in this gathering as a formal international student of the Technical University of Delft. She highlighted in an elevator pitch why she has chosen to come to the Netherlands, why she stayed and how, in her opinion, the Netherlands can up their game in recruiting international talent. As icing on the cake, Khoury handed over the first copy of “A national alumni strategy” to His Royal Highness Price Constantijn of the Netherlands.
