Giving Campaign ‘As entrepreneurs, it is our duty to society to support management schools’
Interview with Filip Balcaen (Managing Director of IVC), Theo Roussis (Managing Director of Ravago) and Philippe Vlerick (Managing Director of UCO Textiles).
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School’s grand Giving Campaign came to a close at the end of 2006. Companies, organisations and individuals could enter into Partnerships, endow Chairs or make a personal donation to support the School in the pursuit of its mission. In this article, we will be giving the floor to two managers who have given a substantial donation to the School on the basis of their personal conviction that constitutes a valuable contribution to society as a whole. We also asked Philippe Vlerick, one of the driving forces behind the campaign, about his view on the importance of the Giving Campaign.
From left to right: Prof. Dr Roland Van Dierdonck, Mr Filip Balcaen, Mr Philippe Vlerick, Mrs Vlerick, Mrs Roussis, Mr Theo Roussis and Prof. Dr Louis Verbeke.
‘Well-trained people are our most important resource’
Mr Filip Balcaen: “As an entrepreneur in Western Europe, I think that the only real trump card we have left are our brains. That is why I think it is important for me as an entrepreneur to invest in training people, because they make the difference. It is self-evident that an enterprise needs well-trained managers, but to me, investing in a management school is not just about improving the quality of the labour market. I see it in a wider social context and regard my support as my responsibility to society as well. And why did I choose Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School? Because it has proved itself as a top management school with excellent teachers and because it is well-managed into the bargain.”
‘Society as a whole benefits from the input of well-trained managers’
Mr Theo Roussis: “I see education as the foundation of society. It is not just businesses but society in general that reaps the benefits when students receive a good education and good managers enter the business arena. This is why it is important to invest in a management school like Vlerick, which has a proven international reputation. It is a good sign that individuals, enterprises and organisations want to support this initiative. If people in a society offer help to others, in the widest sense of the word, this is an indication that it is a progressive society.”
‘A management school has an important role in society’
Mr Philippe Vlerick: “If the School is to play its role and fulfil its mission, it is important that it has adequate means to do so. We are ambitious; we want to offer top quality training and we want to achieve international recognition, not only by attracting international students and teachers but also by reinforcing our presence abroad. Our new campus in St. Petersburg is a good example. This kind of ambition comes with a heavy price tag and we only receive limited state subsidy. Of our total budget of 22 million euro, 1.7 million comes from the state, which amounts to 8%. That is a very modest contribution, in view of the fact that we also have a social mission as well as performing an educational function. It is crucial to continue to train people who can make a difference in Belgium, people who will be able to offer extra value to society. Good training is essential if we are to create more prosperity.
That is why I think the Giving Campaign is so important. It helps the School to build up the resources it needs to fulfil its role in society. In Belgium and Europe, we are not so familiar with this kind of initiative as people in the Anglo-Saxon world. There you see a greater degree of involvement and generosity among people who have achieved success and wish to do something for society in return. In my view, that is what makes the difference between a successful entrepreneur and a great one.”
Orator - March 2007