Northern Business Safari: FEB and Oranjewoud Export Academy continue their strategic cooperation

The Faculty of Economics & Business (FEB) and the Oranjewoud Export Academy (Oranjewoud) organized their second Northern Business Safari at the beginning of October. Both parties continued their collaboration after a successful first edition of the Business Safari in May 2024. During this second Safari, a group of about 50 students from the Master in Business Administration - Small Business & Entrepreneurship visited three Oranjewoud members in Leeuwarden. The students, who were accompanied by lecturers Evelien Croonen and Maryse Brand, met with the companies’ CEOs and managers and brainstormed with them about relevant strategic and managerial challenges.

Improving employability and mutual learning

The Northern Business Safaris form an important part of the strategic cooperation between FEB and Oranjewoud, which started in December 2023. Oranjewoud is a member-based organization that aims to provide a platform where high-quality knowledge and ambitious entrepreneurs from the Northern Netherlands come together. A platform where entrepreneurs can acquire and bring knowledge that enables international growth.

From FEB’s perspective, the Business Safaris improve student employability by providing students with insights on the practical applicability of their theoretical knowledge and insights on possible internship and job opportunities. For the Oranjewoud members, the Safaris provide an opportunity to meet and learn from talented young people with diverse cultural backgrounds, who are potential future employees. FEB and Oranjewoud aim to organize two Northern Business Safaris each year: an Autumn edition (in September/October) and a Spring edition (in April/May).

Autumn edition Business Safari

During this month’s Safari, the students visited Jongia Mixing Technology, Wafilin Systems, and FIB Industries. These are all very innovative Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) that offer high-tech, customized solutions to their clients (manufacturers) in industries such as food, beverage and dairy. The three companies are innovative players in their international niche markets, and FEB students typically do not meet such ‘hidden gems’ during FEB career events.

The student visits at Jongia and Wafilin started off with a brief presentation by the companies’ representatives and was followed by a guided tour in their premises, after which the students brainstormed about questions - about employer branding and attracting young international talent- posed by the company in questions. The second part of the day was spent at FIB Industries. After a presentation about FIB Industries and a guided tour through several production halls, the students brainstormed on a joint question by the three participating companies.  Since Jongia, Wafilin and FIB Industries are part of a group of companies that aim to increase their strategic cooperation, the students were asked to brainstorm about potential common grounds and fields for strategic cooperation.   

Valuable experience

Both the participating students and companies found the Business Safari a valuable experience. Of the students said: “I had never heard of this company before, but I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the whole atmosphere there. I will not forget this visit’. Another student mentioned that he had discussed about a potential internship with a manager during the visit. One of the managers stated: "With a group of university students like this, expectations are usually high when it comes to the feedback we could expect. These expectations were met! We received very useful tips from the students. They also provided input and advice on various topics. It was very special to receive this, as it offered a fresh perspective on our company, focused on the future market and employees. So, we were very pleased with that. All in all, it was a successful meeting, definitely worth repeating!”

More information

If you want more information on the Safaris (either as an educator, a student or practitioner), please contact dr. Evelien P.M. Croonen (e.p.m.croonen rug.nl).