International success for NHH
As the new academic year begins, NHH welcomes nearly 200 new international students - double the amount of previous years. The number of international researchers and doctoral students has also increased significantly at NHH.
06.09.2007 - Kristian T. Marthinsen
Fresh PhD-students; Trond Halvorsen, Jiehong Kong og Zexi Wang
NHH has been focusing on increasing the international profile of the school, and today, the number of foreign students is almost 20 % of the new students beginning at NHH.
The statistics also show an increase in quality of international programmes, reflected in the students' high level of satisfaction with NHH and the continued increase of foreign students.
Among the new students at NHH, 42 are in the MSc in International Business (MiB) programme. This is almost double last year's total of 23 MiB students.
International at all levels
Monday, August 20th is NHH's matriculation day for the new PhD students. A total of 16 new scholars from different parts of the world are now part of NHH's Phd-programme.
In addition, over the past few years, many of the academic departments have been working hard to recruit international candidates for various research positions.
Recently hired, Iris Stuart is the first female professor to join the Department of Accounting, Revision, and Law.
This autumn, NHH is hosting 140 exchange students from various universities and business schools from all over the world. Amongst others, 26 Germans, 20 Italians, 16 French, and 12 Canadians have come to Sandviken and, for the first time ever, students from Taiwan came to NHH to study.
John Andersen, the head of the International Relations Office at NHH, believes that good relations with other international business schools are a main factor for the increasing numbers. Furthermore, he believes that much of the reason behind this success lies with the students. Both those who arrive at NHH and those who leave and spread good word of their experience help increase international exposure for the school.
Foreign exchange students Kongwei Chong, Astrid-Irene van Etten and Francesco Masci wants to learn more about the Norwegian shipping and oil industries.
Looking for Norwegian Expertise
Kongwei Ching from Singapore, Francesco Masci from Italy and Astrid -Irene van Etten from The Netherlands are all interested in 'The Norwegian Model'.
"I am interested in the Norwegian perspective on Petroleum Technology, and I want to learn more about what Norwegians think of the world", says Astrid-Irene van Etten from the Netherlands. She heard of NHH at her home university, where the school was highly recommended to her.
Similar to van Etten, Kongwei Chong from Singapore also looks forward to learning more about the petroleum and shipping business.
"To study at NHH can be an advantage for me going forward if I want to work in shipping in Singapore", explains Kongwei Chong. He was encouraged to apply at NHH and is even receiving a scholarship to study one semester in Norway.
Satisfied Students
Critics believe that since NHH is free, the quality of foreign students that come here must be low. John Andersen couldn't disagree more.
"The average GMAT score amongst the MiB students is around 620 points, which places them among the top 20% overall. These are top students", he says.
The International Relations Office at NHH is receiving lots of praise in different reports and polls. Norunn J. Økland with the International Office is very happy with all the positive feedback from students.
"They are pleased with everything. They even find the weather refreshing. But they are also happy that everything works and that things are being done for them. The students are also pleased with the level of professionalism in Norway. The one thing that they do not like is the Norwegian price levels", she adds smiling.
Appetite for Adventure
John Andersen believes that it is important that the international students use their stay here to experience things apart from their studies.
"It is an exciting country and an exciting city that they live in", says Andersen. "The International students have a large appetite for new experiences and adventures."
The students that Paraplyen spoke with will most likely not be sitting quietly in their rooms at the Hatleberg student accommodation while living in Bergen.
"I want to enjoy the country. I want to see the fjords and go up into the mountains to ski, something that is not possible in the Netherlands", says van Etten.
"I would like to see all of Norway and some of Scandinavia. I hope to see a lot of the country", says the Italian Masci.
Translated by Nancy Cavanaugh
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