This week the English Page meets Yiong van Walsum, manager of International Relations & Marketing at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. She’s Malaysian, studied at London University and is now settled down in Holland with her Dutch husband.
Delen
How did you come to work for TU Delft?
I wanted to work when I came to live in the Netherlands in 2001. Since my degree from London University is in chemistry, I thought it might be useful to try TU Delft too. TU Delft was one of those that responded to my application.
What is your job scope exactly?
I plan strategy for international marketing and carry out international marketing projects for the English-language BSc and MSc in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, I give advice to the Faculty on internal orientation in response to the requirements of competing in an international market.
Did you start off as a manager when you first joined TU Delft?
No. I was first employed to carry out an international variation of communication to the national market. But I realized immediately that the approach to international markets demanded an entirely different approach and strategy. Operating in international markets involves networking and understanding the expectations of the international market. My job description was thus changed to reflect the widening of my job scope.
Is there any aspect of your job that you feel is wrongly perceived by other people?
I think that some people misunderstand the concept of marketing. They think that marketing is just going out there saying, “This is what I have. Please buy.” But marketing is about understanding what people need and why they need it. But educational marketing is a specialized subject. It’s rather different from marketing commercial household products. Many universities have at least half a century’s experience of marketing and there are many books about international education marketing.
Is there a notable difference between TU Delft and London University?
That would be comparing London University in 1970 with TU Delft in 2004! But then again, I’d still say that even in 1970, London University had more foreign students than TU Delft now.
Is TU Delft doing enough to integrate its students?
London University never did anything special for their foreign students. It was up to the students and we organized activities ourselves. The education here is in English for foreign students. Integration is multi-sided. It cannot be imposed on the students. Both international and Dutch students must initiate it themselves. In my days, universities usually didn’t organize anything for the students, although many student societies in England did.
What is TU Delft’s attitude and impression of its foreign students?
I think TU Delft believes that internationalization will be very good for the Dutch students, coming into contact with other cultures. Non-Dutch students are very hardworking, and they do try their best. They can be very good examples for the Dutch students.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing TU Delft now?
Only on challenge?[laughing]…I think TU Delft’s biggest challenge is in orienting itself to meet the changes required in understanding other expectations and education cultures in the world outside Dutch borders.
What qualities do you most admire in people?
Intelligent courage. There are people who are intelligently courageous and that’s a big difference to being stupidly courageous.
Was that the major turning point of your life?
I had many turning points in my life. Leaving Malaysia, from a very protective home and school environment, to London University where I was completely left on my own, had to take care of myself, that was a very big turning point for me.
When you first arrived in the Netherlands, what was your first impression of the place and its people?
The Netherlands is a lot cleaner than England! And the Dutch are a lot friendlier than the English.
What do you like most, and least, about living here?
I like that people are straightforward here. What I don’t like about living here is that I don’t see enough of the sun.
In the way you have raised your kids, do you think that you are now more of an Asian or a Westerner?
I don’t really subscribe to the cliché of Asian or Western upbringing. I know extremely conservative Europeans and extremely liberal Asians.
At this point of your life, what would you most like to accomplish?
I play the piano and I am very active in playing chamber music. I would love to be able to play like Murray Perahia.
In 10 words, how would you like to be remembered by your loved ones when you die?
I hope that they won’t say, “Thank goodness she’s gone.”
What is the most valuable advice you can give to TU Delft’s foreign students?
Learn the Dutch language. It’s useful in their integration with Dutch students and will greatly help should they want to develop their contacts with Dutch business and industries after graduation.
How did you come to work for TU Delft?
I wanted to work when I came to live in the Netherlands in 2001. Since my degree from London University is in chemistry, I thought it might be useful to try TU Delft too. TU Delft was one of those that responded to my application.
What is your job scope exactly?
I plan strategy for international marketing and carry out international marketing projects for the English-language BSc and MSc in Aerospace Engineering. In addition, I give advice to the Faculty on internal orientation in response to the requirements of competing in an international market.
Did you start off as a manager when you first joined TU Delft?
No. I was first employed to carry out an international variation of communication to the national market. But I realized immediately that the approach to international markets demanded an entirely different approach and strategy. Operating in international markets involves networking and understanding the expectations of the international market. My job description was thus changed to reflect the widening of my job scope.
Is there any aspect of your job that you feel is wrongly perceived by other people?
I think that some people misunderstand the concept of marketing. They think that marketing is just going out there saying, “This is what I have. Please buy.” But marketing is about understanding what people need and why they need it. But educational marketing is a specialized subject. It’s rather different from marketing commercial household products. Many universities have at least half a century’s experience of marketing and there are many books about international education marketing.
Is there a notable difference between TU Delft and London University?
That would be comparing London University in 1970 with TU Delft in 2004! But then again, I’d still say that even in 1970, London University had more foreign students than TU Delft now.
Is TU Delft doing enough to integrate its students?
London University never did anything special for their foreign students. It was up to the students and we organized activities ourselves. The education here is in English for foreign students. Integration is multi-sided. It cannot be imposed on the students. Both international and Dutch students must initiate it themselves. In my days, universities usually didn’t organize anything for the students, although many student societies in England did.
What is TU Delft’s attitude and impression of its foreign students?
I think TU Delft believes that internationalization will be very good for the Dutch students, coming into contact with other cultures. Non-Dutch students are very hardworking, and they do try their best. They can be very good examples for the Dutch students.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing TU Delft now?
Only on challenge?[laughing]…I think TU Delft’s biggest challenge is in orienting itself to meet the changes required in understanding other expectations and education cultures in the world outside Dutch borders.
What qualities do you most admire in people?
Intelligent courage. There are people who are intelligently courageous and that’s a big difference to being stupidly courageous.
Was that the major turning point of your life?
I had many turning points in my life. Leaving Malaysia, from a very protective home and school environment, to London University where I was completely left on my own, had to take care of myself, that was a very big turning point for me.
When you first arrived in the Netherlands, what was your first impression of the place and its people?
The Netherlands is a lot cleaner than England! And the Dutch are a lot friendlier than the English.
What do you like most, and least, about living here?
I like that people are straightforward here. What I don’t like about living here is that I don’t see enough of the sun.
In the way you have raised your kids, do you think that you are now more of an Asian or a Westerner?
I don’t really subscribe to the cliché of Asian or Western upbringing. I know extremely conservative Europeans and extremely liberal Asians.
At this point of your life, what would you most like to accomplish?
I play the piano and I am very active in playing chamber music. I would love to be able to play like Murray Perahia.
In 10 words, how would you like to be remembered by your loved ones when you die?
I hope that they won’t say, “Thank goodness she’s gone.”
What is the most valuable advice you can give to TU Delft’s foreign students?
Learn the Dutch language. It’s useful in their integration with Dutch students and will greatly help should they want to develop their contacts with Dutch business and industries after graduation.
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