• Shangri-la or shambles?

Vlerick as learning environment

How highly do students of Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School rate it as a learning environment? Stefanie Maes, Christos Maniakis and Pieter Haers give us their opinion.

“A good learning environment covers all aspects for me,” says Pieter Haers, who can speak from experience, as he is nearing the end of his Masters in Marketing Management at the School. “The facilities, not to mention the lecturers and fellow students, are a big part of it. In that respect, Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School sets a good example.” His colleagues Christos Maniakis and Stefanie Maes nod in agreement.

Branding

The three of them have just pulled an all-nighter. Today was the deadline for submission of their final project, a study on the branding of Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School: do the School’s name and logo give it the market share it deserves? Or in the context of the subject of our conversation: if the School does indeed come close to having the ultimate learning environment, do its name and logo communicate that added value?

Personal touch

“The School is very people-driven,” Pieter continues. “The support, the interaction, the way it works - it’s all focused on the students and their ambitions.” Stefanie nods: “Everyone wants to get ahead, each in their own individual way, but always working towards the same goal. And the School offers the facilities to make that happen.” All three believe that the key success factor behind this excellent learning context is the enthusiasm of their fellow students. Christos: “If you work with people who aren’t motivated, you won’t get anywhere.”

Sound-proof flooring

There is also praise for the lecturers and the facilities. Christos again: “WiFi connection, around-the-clock access to the School, flip charts, video screens – you name it and it’s there. Every effort's made to make it easier for you to work.” Pieter nods: “We can hold videoconferences without any problem, anyone looking for a place to relax for a bit can use the InBev lounge and even the architecture of the building is of high quality, with rubber, sound-proof flooring.” But the prize for the best facility of all goes to the breakout rooms. “I haven’t come across those in any other educational institution,” points out Christos. “You can hang out there and just do your own thing. There are flip charts, pens, paper, a blackboard – and space to concentrate and find inspiration.”

Chill out

So is there no way the School’s learning environment can be improved? “No,” is the spontaneous response. “Unless the sky’s the limit, in which case a real chill-out room, a Starbucks coffee corner and a fresh food vending machine would always be welcome!”