Religious Persecution and the Journey to Freedom

In 2019, life took a major turn for her family due to religious persecution in Yemen. Being followers of the Bahai faith, the family was subjected to intense harassment in their home country where turning eighteen and being a Bahai often resulted in imprisonment. Unfortunately, her father, a successful architect who worked for Total, was imprisoned for seven years due to this prejudice.

Seeking a safer haven, the family requested protection from the European Union. While they received assurance of protection from the Prime Minister of Holland, it was the welcoming arms of Luxembourg that first offered them asylum.

However, their journey to safety was fraught with danger and uncertainty. The family had to travel incognito through treacherous mountain passes to book tickets from the south of the country to reach their safe haven. It was especially perilous for four women to navigate this journey alone while their father was still in prison.

Arrival in Luxembourg, a Safe Haven

Their initial destination was Sudan, where they stayed for four months, dealing with administrative procedures before they could move to Luxembourg. Once in Luxembourg, they found temporary shelter in various refugee camps including Lukoped, Mersch, and Soleuvre. The first few weeks were focused on assessing the family’s mental state due to their traumatic experiences.

Triumph Through Adversity: Arrival at UBI Business School

Having completed her schooling in 2017, the plan was to pursue an Engineering degree. However, Gawaher eventually joined UBI Business School’s British programme, allowing her the opportunity to transition smoothly into higher education within Europe.

Despite trials and tribulations, she has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in her personal, academic and professional journey. Her story is a shining example for all those who are facing hardships, proving that adversity can be overcome with courage, determination, and the power of education. We are proud to provide an inclusive platform for eager learners irrespective of their backgrounds and circumstances, fostering individual growth through academic rigour and a diverse, nurturing environment.

United in celebrating knowledge, diversity and heralding global talent, UBI Business School continues in its unwavering commitment to creating future business leaders in a responsible, innovative and accessible manner.

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UBI Business School is proud to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Ahmet Bağci as a Deputy Minister in the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Dr. Ahmet joined UBI’s MBA programme in 2022. Prior to his enrolment at our school, Dr. Ahmet has secured his PhD in Economics from Gazi University, where he then started his career as an auditor in the Supreme Court of Turkiye, and subsequently gained valuable experience in both the private and public sectors. Before his most recent appointment, he was a diplomat in Brussels.

Here is what Dr. Ahmet has to say about his experience in UBI’s MBA programme.

Why did you select UBI’s MBA programme?

After examining several MBA options, I selected UBİ’s MBA as it presents many opportunities to deepen my understanding of international developments, technology management, and innovation. The faculty’s quality of teaching is high and the case-studies we engage with are very relevant to the real world. Besides, the school’s technological infrastructure is well-established, so I have the opportunity to follow the lessons in a highly interactive manner even when I am travellin

How has the MBA programme helped you specifically in your career advancement?

The UBI MBA has made a significant contribution, especially with regard to learning about current global developments and strategic working principles. My new position will also require me to leverage the management and analytical skills I have acquired in the programme. And in various parts of my MBA journey I have been compelled to meaningfully reflect on the synergies within my own career traversing both the private and public sectors.

On the whole, what do you appreciate the most about UBI Business School?

Through the UBI MBA, I had the opportunity to meet people from many different countries working in different sectors. A valuable network of professional connections!

Congratulations, Dr. Ahmet Bağci!

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Sara’s visit to Belgium began for family-related reasons, but she took advantage of this opportunity and decided to continue her education in Belgium. Because of its diverse culture, strong academic reputation, and desirable quality of life, Belgium has been a popular destination for international students like Sara who want to broaden their horizons and achieve their academic ambitions.

Sara: “Living in Belgium has exceeded my expectations, and I’m truly grateful for this opportunity.”

Interviewer: “I’m glad to hear this, Sara. Can you tell me what are the top 3 benefits of studying in Belgium from your point of view?”

According to Sara, “Belgium is a quite multicultural country. With students from all over the world, I’ve had the chance to interact with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, traditions and habits. In addition to this, there are more than 25 different nationalities in our class. The exposure to such a variety of cultures, experiences, and backgrounds has been enriching and has expanded my worldview in many ways. The multiculturalism is also reflected in the food here, which is simply amazing. Apart from fascinating Belgian waffles, beer and fries, the diverse dishes available from all around the world’ cuisine.”

Another top benefit mentioned by Sara is a high standard of living in Belgium. “Belgium offers a wide range of activities that you can enjoy during your free time. The capital city, Brussels, has so much to offer in terms of cultural and leisure activities. You can explore the museums, art galleries, exhibitions and historical places or just take a stroll in one of the beautiful parks. Personally, I enjoy going to the gym and trying out various pilates classes. It allows me to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle while also managing my academic workload.

Moreover, Belgium has an outstanding healthcare system that provides top-quality medical services. As an international student, this gives me peace of mind knowing that I can get medical attention if needed. The education system in Belgium is also highly regarded, with some of the top-ranked universities in the world located here. As a student of UBI Business School, I feel that I am receiving a world-class education that will prepare me for a successful career. Overall, I feel that Belgium is a great place to study and live, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Lastly, Belgium is located in the heart of Europe. In other words, it is easy to travel to other countries and explore different cultures. Apart from nearby countries, Belgium is an amazing place with many tourist cities, towns to visit and enjoy nature. It’s a great chance to widen my horizons and learn new things.”

Interviewer: “Thank you, for sharing your insights, Sara. Now, from a university point of view, what are the benefits of studying at the UBI Business School in Belgium so far?”

Sara: “At UBI Business School, we offer a diverse range of programmes that are taught in English by experienced professors. There are a maximum 30 students in each class, which allows for personalised attention and interaction between students and faculty members. Also, our campus is situated in a peaceful and central location, walking distance to the sightseeings, public transportation and mai of Brussels. Moreover, the university has a forward-looking focus on globalisation, the digital economy, and good citizenship, making it a truly diverse and enriching learning environment.”

“UBI has a strong focus on practical learning besides academical one. The university has partnerships with local and international companies, which provide opportunities for internships and practical training. I believe this real-world experience will prepare me well for my future career.”

I would like to thank Sara, our student ambassador, for sharing her fascinating experiences about studying and living in Belgium. Her experience is truly inspirational for the ones who are thinking about studying abroad. Studying abroad can broaden perspectives and provide a fresh perspective, and Belgium is a wonderful alternative for students desiring a unique educational experience due to its high standard of living, cosmopolitan culture, and central location in Europe. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, we encourage you to look into the programs provided at UBI Business School and learn about the various advantages of studying in Belgium.

Living in Brussels as a student has opened my mind to endless cultural opportunities, igniting my curiosity to understand and learn from different ways of life, and ultimately empowering my personal growth journey.

Sara Nativi

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Friday afternoon, Cybelle Buyck spoke from our Brussels campus about her experience transitioning from the public to the private sector. Ms. Buyck is the Vice-President of Legal & Corporate Affairs Europe for Anheuser-Busch InBev. and the Former Head of Cabinet for the Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works. Her experience in both the public and private sector gives her a unique perspective in business.

Also Friday afternoon, Dr. Emmanuel Alexandrakis joined us online from our partner institution, Athens University of Economics and Business. Dr. Alexandrakis spoke about strategic management in the health sector in the post COVID-19 environment and how overall business and economic activity has been affected. He proposed a paradigm shift to consider health as an investment. Dr. Alexandrakis is a Member of the Audit Committee at the Hellenic Development Bank, as well as a Health Economy Global Strategist at the WifOR Institute.

Saturday morning, Mr. Cagatay Guler joined us on our Brussels campus to speak about innovation at 3M, in addition to how his MBA elevated his career. Mr. Guler is the Vice President at the 3M EMEA Healthcare Business Group, and previously worked as the Country Leader Turkey at Ingersoll Rand.

Also Saturday morning, UBI Business School alumnus John Harkin joined us on our Brussels campus to speak about doing business in Europe, including the current challenges and opportunities that present themselves. Mr. Harkin is a Senior Policy Advisor at Ceemet, the European employers’ organisation of the metal, engineering and technology-based industries, as well as a Parliamentary Advisor for Employment and Social Affairs at the European Parliament. We are also lucky to count Mr. Harking as a member of UBI’s Advisory Board.

All four speakers were dynamic and engaging, sharing their personal experiences and expertise, as well as answering a variety of questions from our students!

“These meetings with practitioners facilitate discussion and exchange in an informal setting and give our MBA students a global perspective of business, including an overview of emerging themes (business, politics, economics, sociology, etc.), an understanding of factors affecting companies’ performance in different markets, the opportunity to reflect on and learn from others’ experiences, and a framework for strategic thinking.”

Gaston Fornes
Dean, UBI Europe

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Elena Bucciero teaches Professional Skills Development at UBI and is one of our community coaches, offering pastoral care for our undergraduate students. As a certified and practicing executive business coach and mentor, Elena Bucciero coaches professionals from innovative SMEs and start-ups at the European Innovation Council (EIC) and The Founder Institute. She also advises companies on how to maximise the impacts of EIC funding.

“I believe in the power of coaching and mentoring to make this world a better place, a place where each individual, and each company, can develop to its full potential.”

As a coach and mentor, Elena regularly attends professional development events in the international coaching community and is an active member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). EMCC Global aims to set the global standard for best practices in mentoring, coaching, and supervision to benefit our global society. The Council actively runs programs, and conferences, offers support and sponsors research projects.

As part of a fantastic EMCC team, Elena helped organise the 5^th annual EMCC Global Mentoring Conference which took place on the 28^th of October. The conference was held online to give a maximum number of people a chance to participate globally, despite any time difference. Over more than 15 hours, different classes and workshops were held to inform the community on topics ranging from innovative tools to industry trends, mentoring program types, insights from global practitioners, how coaching and mentoring work in the corporate world, in non-profit organisations, for women, or in the LGBTQ+ community.

Through her work and organising efforts, Elena continues to make a difference both at UBI and in the global coaching community.

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The annual Urbanize Africa Summit was created to unite Africa through promoting sustainable ideas, attitudes, commerce, infrastructure, and activities. Held in Nigeria and open to the African continent, the Summit is streamed online but is mainly attended in person by regional participants. This year’s theme was business intelligence, including data management and organizing business. The summit focused on helping African business leaders improve their strategy, visualise possibilities made possible through applications and artificial intelligence, and overcome cultural beliefs that hinder their success.

Gerald’s presentation was entitled Structured Thinking and included ideas he has recently been studying in UBI’s MBA programme. He explained that structured thinking is the process of creating a structured framework to solve an unstructured problem. He presented several structured thinking techniques and walked participants through how to use them. His objective was to help participants understand the importance of being structured in their decision making and how to set up a framework to make that possible.

“I like connecting with people because you never know what opportunity your next connection might bring you.”

Reflecting on his presentation at the close of the summit, he realised he had overlooked a powerful learning and teaching technique, that of asking for feedback. He experienced this technique first-hand through UBI’s practice of asking for feedback from students after each module. UBI uses this feedback to inform and improve future modules. Gerald decided he will apply UBI’s feedback mechanism in future presentations. He recognised using this technique in his presentation would have taught a powerful business practice through the personal experience of the participants. This analysis of his performance and application of acquired knowledge shows what an effective business leader Gerald has become.

Gerald is grateful to have participated in the Urbanize Africa Summit 2022 and will continue to promote sustainable business practices in Africa. He uses his work at Griots Lounge Publishing, as well as his podcast Small Business Questions, to set an example of positive leadership in business. He is always looking to create shared value with those he meets because he believes that you never know what opportunity your next connection might bring you.

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Daphne enjoyed her experience at UBI thanks to the welcoming culture of the school, and its administration and faculty. She appreciated how the professors delighted in sharing their professional expertise with the rising generation of students. She grew close to her classmates as they exchanged knowledge and progressed both academically and professionally through their academic and internship experiences. She values the epiphany moments she had with her classmates when they all collectively understood a concept. As UBI has such an international student body, she relished the discussions and conversations regarding their different perspectives and cultural biases as they learned more about each other and the global business environment.

Upon graduation in 2020, Daphne immediately began the two-year Master’s in Wealth Management program at the University of Luxembourg. She completed internships with D Group Capital and Dewitte & Partners. As an extrovert and a social person, she realised that she preferred private wealth management, as opposed to institutional wealth management, because of the human element. Near the end of her master’s programme, Daphne was selected to participate in the second annual VC Scholar Program organised by the LHoFT, the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology.

Hosted by Pascal Bouvier, Managing Director & Co-founder at MiddleGame Ventures, and the wonderful people at the LHoFT, the VC Scholar Program is a three-week online program which teaches aspiring students the ins and outs of venture capital funds. Chosen from applicants worldwide through a rigorous application process, participants are paid to take a deep dive into the VC industry and have the chance to win an internship at MiddleGame Ventures and Fundcraft. Daphne was one of the ten applicants chosen, only four of whom were based in Luxembourg. The course consisted of lectures, Q&A sessions, and homework. Participants obtained an in-depth understanding of the research, analysis, selection criteria, and methods that investors use to decide whether to invest in financially innovative companies and startups. Daphne is grateful to have been chosen to participate and had an amazing experience in the programme, developing her career further in the process.

I love my job, and I believe that UBI played a significant role in securing my current position and still contributes to my everyday success.

Since finishing her Master’s degree in August, Daphne has secured a position with D Group Capital as a Junior Wealth Manager. The real professional value of her UBI education has become all the more apparent since Daphne started working. She has realised that UBI gave her a broad and holistic foundation in business, with modules covering everything from human resources to accounting to operations management to business law. This comprehensive base allows her to connect the dots within an organisation, especially when solving problems both internally and externally. As a younger employee new to the team, she surprises people when she joins discussions on a multitude of business subjects and is able to ask in-depth questions to professionals specialised in their field.

Daphne loves her job because it is more project-based, which fits her dynamic personality well. She is constantly learning new things as she regularly finds herself facing new situations. She thoroughly enjoys the company she works for as it’s in her respective field of wealth management yet at the same time more entrepreneurial-minded.  The role also affords her the opportunity to work closely with all levels of management and make use of both her soft and technical skills. Daphne is grateful for her boss Dirk Dewitte, former Senior Partner at Deloitte and Founder & Managing Director of both Dewitte & Partners and D Group Capital, who is and has been a great mentor to her. Not only does she value her job, but she feels valued in her position which makes her work all the more rewarding.

Daphne recognises that the knowledge and experience she gained at UBI still contribute to her everyday success. Building on this foundation, Daphne’s drive and determination have already taken her far. We look forward to seeing where her ambition and perseverance take her in the future.

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I ride horses in my free time like some people go running. Horseback riding is how I renew my spirit.

This work ethic has been recognised by others in both her professional and academic settings. Jessica has regularly worked student jobs since she was 16 years old, having a chance to observe professional environments and gain early experience in both the public and private sectors. Feedback on her performance was always positive, with her supervisors noting her willingness to take initiative when other young people only did the minimum. These same observations have been made by her professors regarding her academic performance at UBI.

Before joining UBI, Jessica had considered several different professions. Because of her experience as a long-time equestrian, she had looked into becoming a veterinarian, but this avenue was difficult because it would require her to study abroad. Unlike most Luxembourgers, Jessica didn’t want to leave the country after high school to pursue higher education which is why she assumed she would attend the public university. However, she eventually realised she should consider other options and, based on her brother’s excellent experience at UBI Luxembourg (Class of 2018), Jessica applied to UBI and was accepted.

As a third-year student, Jessica has appreciated her time at UBI. The small class size allows students to connect with faculty and enjoy a more personal experience. The teaching style is based on ‘learning by doing’ and includes hands-on exercises which she finds better adapted to her practical learning style. The support teachers show their students, along with the faith they have in the students’ abilities, has helped Jessica go from being just an average student in high school, to excelling as one of the best in her class at UBI.

Based on her theoretical knowledge learned in class and her practical experiences in student jobs and internships, Jessica plans to go into human resources management. As a matter of fact, she’s preparing to pursue a master’s in human resources management in a university abroad, an ambitious step for someone who originally didn’t want to leave Luxembourg for their studies. Whatever school she finally chooses to attend for her master’s degree will be lucky to count Jessica among their student body. Her consistent drive and determination will take her far both academically and professionally.

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When Romain graduated from CASS Business School in 2011, the economy was already feeling the effects of the financial crisis of 2008. Because it was difficult to find a good job in London, he returned to his hometown of Charleroi, Belgium. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Luxembourg to work in risk management for an American bank.

Though to begin with he kept his day job, Romain continued to develop his business activities on the side. His first company acquisition was HTV [high tech vision] which specialises in the building and selling of giant digital displays. Unfortunately, the company had been poorly managed and found itself in bankruptcy. Romain won the bid to take over the assets of the company and he spent the next few years rebuilding the company from scratch. He always expected to sell the company but never has. While he has retained his title as CEO, he mainly focuses on development now.

Our ultimate goal is that the company is better off in 36 months than it is now.

In 2017, he acquired another company, this time in the food supplements industry for muscle mass maintenance in the elderly. The company also had management problems. He spent a few years focusing on the commercial aspect of the company, all the while maintaining the intellectual property through the clinical trials. He recently sold the revitalised company

Even though Romain targets distressed companies, he chooses companies he believes in, not just companies that he can take over. While income is the end result, it is not the motivating factor. He gets satisfaction from transforming a floundering company with disgruntled employees, into a thriving company with satisfied employees. He knows that happy, well-paid employees put more effort in at work. Romain takes a very long-term approach and aims for low turnover because the key is to grow the people who work for you.

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