Wittenborg Hosts Inaugural Globalisation Conference

26.08.2024

Academics and Researchers Among Those Gathering at Wittenborg's Inaugural Globalisation Conference

On 15 August, Wittenborg hosted a well-attended inaugural Globalisation Conference in Apeldoorn.

Dr Ad Kil, who spearheaded the conference, opened it by discussing ten key themes of globalisation, crucial to shaping Wittenborg's future direction. These themes were developed through an extensive analysis of publications from 2020 to 2024 and include: the Digital Revolution, Global Trade and Economics, Cultural Exchange in a Globalised World, Migration Patterns, Environmental Challenges, Global Governance and Policy, The Future of Work, Ethics and Globalisation, Global Health and Pandemics and Education in a Globalised Era.

Kil explained his approach: “My main aim was to create a sort of knowledge base for Wittenborg. If these are the ten themes needed, can we underpin them with a knowledge base that is accessible and understandable for everyone?”

He emphasised the need for a knowledge base that supports research activities and accreditation efforts, adding, “It can also serve as anchoring research activities. Otherwise, we just speak about research and what we can do, but now we have more creating. We are creating a context. And also, it can help us in our efforts for accreditation.”

The conference also featured a range of engaging paper presentations. Dadi Chen presented on the topic of 'Implementation of Eco-systems of Open-Science Schooling: Challenges and Insights in Four Countries', while Kriszta Kaspers shared insights on 'The Effects of the Globalising Culture on Mental Health: A Focus on Evolving Agents'. Tina Huesing discussed 'Leadership for Sustainability: Rethinking a Conceptual Framework for Business', and Hind Albasry presented a technical review titled 'Revolutionising Higher Education: A Technical Review of Artificial Intelligence Integration'.

The day also included lunch and various poster presentations.

Dr Dennis von Bergh delivered a keynote speech titled 'Evaluation and Observations of the Day', drawing on his extensive experience as a scientist, officer, veteran, diplomat and manager. Von Bergh praised the organising committee for their efforts and noted the positive reception of the conference. “When I got here, I felt really welcome. The reception is very important. It's the first impression you make. Very friendly atmosphere. And I would like to thank everybody for their engagement, because that's one of the things that really struck me, how we participate in the discussions and interactions,” he said.

Von Bergh shared his observations on the presentations, noting the broad range of topics covered. He suggested that narrowing down the focus of the themes could enhance their impact, asking, “How are these ten themes related to Wittenborg's mission? Could they be more impactful if narrowed down?” He emphasised the need for clarity and actionable conclusions in research, explaining, “Ultimately, the key decision makers want to know whether to move forward or change direction—they seek actionable conclusions. It’s essential to decide which topics to keep and which to set aside.”

Dr Ronald Tuninga, Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at AACSB International, addressed the challenges of academic publishing in his keynote, 'Publish or Perish'. He highlighted the significance of aligning research with Wittenborg’s mission and integrating globalisation into research efforts.

“Now the challenge is to integrate this focus into our research efforts. How can we align our mission with meaningful research and encourage faculty to pursue the right research avenues?” He also emphasised the need for researchers to contribute to the broader academic community, noting, “The process is to look at what research has been done in the past, and where can I contribute in that. As a researcher, you're not satisfying yourself only but you're trying to satisfy an academic community in doing proper research.”

Tuninga acknowledged the pressures of the "publish or perish" culture, while highlighting a shift towards valuing the impact of research over mere publication.

“Impact is becoming increasingly important,” he explained. “It's about ensuring that our research makes a meaningful difference, not just within academic circles but in society as a whole.”

He also advised researchers to understand journal expectations and avoid predatory journals, encouraging collaboration to enhance publication success. 

Looking forward, Rauf Abdul, Head of the School of Business, expressed enthusiasm about the conference’s success. “The first Annual Globalisation Conference at Wittenborg was a resounding success! I want to acknowledge all participating researchers for their valuable paper and poster presentations, which enriched our understanding of globalisation's multifaceted impacts based on the ten conference themes. I'm looking forward to continuing these important conversations and collaborations in the second edition of this conference in 2025!”

Dadi Chen also reflected on the conference’s value for research sharing and professional growth.

“It’s a great opportunity to share with colleagues about my research and receive feedback from them. It is also very inspiring to know what our colleagues are researching and what they have found,” he said.

Chen highlighted the conference as a beneficial platform and expressed hopes for increased participation and additional resources in the future. “I hope to see more external participants next year as well as seminars from journal editors and academic publishers about the topics they’re interested in,” he added.

Rosita Sayyar, Wittenborg's Research & Conference Administrator, mentioned that Wittenborg's Research Centre will start promoting next year's conference soon.

"We hope to include external papers next year. Although it was the very first inaugural event, it was a highly successful occasion that brought all our staff and faculties together. They learned how a conference is organised, and everyone was inspired by the speakers' engaging presentations." 