On Friday 23th April, students from the Montreux campus were fortunate enough to receive a tour of the Phillip Morris offices in Neuchatel. A PMI representative welcomed the group and was the hostess for the visit, which started with two short introductory videos of the biggest tobacco company in the world, including as well a tour of the premises, followed by a factory tour, where students witnessed the entire making process of cigarettes.

Students were given an opportunity to quiz PMI representatives during a Q&A session where students asked about PMI research & development, the operations technical services, the supply chain and product development activities. Students showed interest by their innovative technologies and their financial aspects.

On Friday 19th of April 2010, Mr. Terence O’Hare (Principal at Michael Page Executive) and Ms Julia Eisner (Recruiter Consultant for Michael Page in Geneva) went to the EU Montreux campus to conduct a guest lecture for our MBA and BBA 3rd year students.

The presentation was conducted in a very interactive way, starting with an introduction of the company and an explanation of various actions and strategies of the Michael Page Group. Following this, Mr. O’Hare gave a presentation of the company in Switzerland. He talked about their main targets and objectives as well as how they dealt with the current economic crisis.

Both representatives were open to answer any types of questions regarding their business, students were given advice on how to prepare their CVs, the best way to apply for jobs and which kinds of positions they can expect after graduating from EU

At the 2010 annual conference of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), the Board of Commissioners announced the granting of specialized accreditation of the business degree programs of European University. Business program accreditation by the IACBE assures the high quality of European University business programs. Accredited programs have been examined by trained evaluators who ensure that the IACBE’s standards are being met in eight key areas: outcomes assessment, strategic planning, curriculum, faculty, scholarly and professional activities, resources, internal/external relationships, and educational innovation. The quality of the business programs are measured by the accomplishment of the school’s mission and broad-based goals, the effectiveness of student learning, and the operational effectiveness your academic business unit.

John L. Green, Jr., Ph.D, President of the IACBE, notes that, “accreditation is recognition that the business programs of European University have demonstrated academic excellence and an interest in continuous programmatic improvement. The IACBE is especially interested in the continuous assessment of student learning outcomes. The accreditation process is one means of assisting academic business units in equipping graduates to excel in the business world.”

“Accreditation is more than just another credential for institutions,” adds William Parrott, Director of Member Services and International Programs for the IACBE. “Accreditation requires evidence that a school’s programs are meeting high standards and producing measurable, high-quality results.”

On Friday 19th of March, first year BBA students had the opportunity to visit Gilbert Albert, one of the most remarkable jewelers in the world.  Students were fortunate enough to have a tour through the workshop, where they had a general overview of how these fine arts are created.

22 year-old Ksenia Podsevatkina is studying a BBA Program with a major in International Business at European University in Montreux. She is an excellent example of an ambitious future entrepreneur, and has been studying to realize her dreams at EU for the last year. She represented Russia at the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant 2009 in Manila, The Philippines and owes her participation to her ‘Miss Beauty of Russia’ success.

The beauty queen symbolizes the EU philosophy: promoting cultural unity with a social conscience while applying the EU teaching methodology to work towards her chosen career path. Ms. Podsevatkina is already active on behalf of several charity associations and is thinking of creating a foundation to help underprivileged children. The Miss Earth competition was launched in 2001 as a glamour event with a difference, whose raison d’être is to have its candidates and winners actively promote and become involved in the preservation of the environment.

EU caught up again with Robin Hilbrink, and asked him to reflect on his first semester at Nichols College, MA.

Which subjects are you studying at Nichols?

I am following the subjects Physical World, Sport & Society, Professional Writing, Business, Government & Regulation and Psychology of Advertising.

Can you tell us in more detail about the class structure and professors?

The Physical World class is a scientific class…this class is divided in lectures and laboratory. During the lectures you follow what the professors have to say and during the laboratory class you have to make exercises.
The two professors that teach the Psychology of Advertising class, Prof. Davis and Prof. Downs, are both very experienced in their subjects. They teach with great enthusiasm and their message is very clear. Every class you have to give a presentation or make an essay and from day one you are working in a team. This team does not change over the semester and every week you have to fill in a evaluation sheet of your team members and other teams.

Are there similarities between the way classes are taught at EU and at Nichols?

Psychology of Advertising is very different (with two professors), but the rest is more or less the same. The professors are very motivated and enthusiastic and they want the students to talk. There is a lot of interaction between students and professors.

How else do you find Nichols different to EU?

Nichols has much more students than EU, but the classes are also small and there is a good interaction between students and the professors.

On Thursday the 25th of February of 2010 the fundraiser event for Haiti organized by the United Students Association of European University took place at the Platinum Club in Geneva.

The event was a total success, with more than 5000 CHF collected for the occasion “Education in Haiti”.

European University proudly appreciates the effort of the United Students Association for organizing such event and thanks all the people that attended.

On the 19th February 2010, Mr. Ludwig Hachfeld (Director of Market Analysis & Development) and Ms. Ina Stumpe Douffiagues (Head of Communications) from Lukoil, the second largest private oil Company worldwide by proven hydrocarbon reserves, came to the Geneva campus to conduct a guest lecture for our MBA and BBA 3rd year students.
The presentation was conducted in a very interactive way, both representatives of Lukoil were open to answer any types of questions regarding their business. The main activities of the company were explained, such as exploration and production of oil and gas, production of petroleum products and petrochemicals, and the marketing process of these outputs, as well as how their offices all around the world work under the same structure.
The guest speakers were keen to encourage the students to apply for graduate positions in the company at the end of their studies, and took time to speak individually with the participants after the presentation.

On Friday 12th February, the first year Business & Society students were fortunate enough to receive a tour of the Swiss Anglophone radio station WRS (World Radio Switzerland).

Mrs. Paige Revillard, Deputy Director of WRS and Editor of WRS’ magazine On Air, welcomed the group and was the hostess for the visit, which included a tour of the station, watching a live broadcast take place and a presentation on the history of the station.

Students were given an opportunity to quiz Mrs. Revillard during a Q&A session where students asked about how the station is funded, along with regulations for a public service radio station.

The visit ended with one final visit to the studio to watch another live broadcast before being given copies of the On Air magazine to take away. Thanks to Paige Revillard for taking time out of her busy schedule and for her warm hospitality.

On 12th February 2010, Dr Patrick Cettier from the Wegelin Private Bank, the oldest Swiss private bank, came to the Geneva campus to conduct a guest lecture for our MBA and BBA 3rd year students.

Dr. Cettier gave a presentation on ‘Asset Management in times of crisis’ and developed the concept of family offices with our students. His enthusiasm and knowledge on the topic helped the students to grasp the importance of this subject matter, especially in the world’s current economic state.

Following the lecture, a Q&A session took place where the students were given an opportunity to understand the requirements for careers in the Swiss banking industry. Dr. Cettier was happy to answer questions and we thank him warmly for his time and interest in European University students.