ROCH DOLIVEUX
“Every alumnus has the societal responsibility to give back”
“In Europe education is managed by government, and we're seeing the limits of that”
“I've been luckier in my life than I could ever have imagined. And I think that, when you have this kind of luck, you have to share it. Redistribution of luck cannot only happen through taxes.”
“I started giving back to Vlerick many years ago. One of my passions is helping entrepreneurs succeed. Maybe because I’m not an entrepreneur myself – I was just a manager (smiles). But Vlerick is clearly one of the best schools in the world to help kindle entrepreneurship.
Also, as a Frenchman, I’ve always felt very welcome in Belgium, particularly in Flanders. Of course, becoming Chairman of the Board of Vlerick stimulated this drive.”
A way to say 'thank you'
“I believe every alumnus has the societal responsibility to give back to the School. It's a way to say ‘thank you’ and also let others benefit from Vlerick’s ability to shape them. But it's not very traditional in Europe because education is managed by government, and we're seeing the limits of that... We talk about changing the world, about a green planet. But that won’t come from legislation. It will come from businesses and leaders who want to lead a company with a clear purpose, who want to contribute to a greener planet.”
“Vlerick is clearly one of the best schools in the world to help kindle entrepreneurship.”
SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY
“Change will come from businesses and leaders who want to lead a company with a clear purpose, who want to contribute to a greener planet.”
Acceleratie internationalisation
The second reason why Vlerick needs funding is to accelerate internationalisation and gain flexibility. If Vlerick wants to stay in the world’s top 100 MBAs, it needs a strong international dimension. The legacy fund from our founder, André Vlerick, allows us to make strategic investments, such as the Brussels campus. But that fund alone won’t be sufficient. And we cannot depend on just that. We need extra funding to give opportunities to international students through scholarships, attract more international faculty and expand our digital offering – the online MBA and blended learning programme being good examples. The more our students can learn from bright Belgian and international faculty, the better they perform in the globalising world of today and tomorrow. And, ultimately, the more they can give back to the School.”
“If Vlerick wants to stay in the world’s top 100 MBAs, it needs a strong international dimension.”
NATTHANAN INTHARAT (FULL-TIME MBA, 2020)
“This scholarship enabled me to pursue a full-time MBA”
“The Vlerick Spirit scholarship made it possible for me to take on the challenge of a full-time MBA. The majority of students from Thailand studying abroad choose the United Kingdom or the United States. Very few Thai students come to Belgium. However, I believe this is a missed opportunity. I compared the cost structure and rankings of numerous business schools, and Vlerick’s high-quality education, reputation, cost and financial support ensured it was my top choice.”