MBA students use new knowledge to organise TEDx event

MBA students from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) organised TEDxErasmusUniversity on campus on Friday 4 November. The event, which was a sell-out, explored how new knowledge and initiatives are creating a better world for people, by spreading ideas about how to build healthier and happier people.

RSM MBA participant Yoko Fujimoto said she “loved the learning experience” of organising this TEDx event. “I applied a lot of new MBA knowledge on brand management to this real-life project, and combined it with my previous work experience.” TEDxErasmusUniversity was organised by students from the International Full-time MBA Class of 2017 with support from Young Erasmus.

Professional and personal benefits

The Japanese MBA student said TEDxErasmusUniversity was a great opportunity to connect students with professionals in the local community, and to discover new ideas. Fujimoto added MBA students can benefit on a professional and personal level from this kind of event. “I can clearly see a strong connection between my TEDx experience and my work in digital strategy and marketing. I will never forget the buzz we created through this event and the team we built through our work.”

TEDxErasmusUniversity gathered 100 students, alumni and other business professionals. Speakers from academia and business highlighted their views on ‘building people’ through education, social innovation and human interactions with technology.

Inspirational ideas

The TEDx programme included speakers Payal Arora, founder of Catalyst Lab; Aurelien Baillon, endowed professor of economics of uncertainty at Erasmus School of Economics; Ellen van de Poel, director of the Rotterdam Global Health Initiative; and architect Ben van Berkel, who designed Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge.

Dr Jamie Frew, a Scottish RSM MBA participant, was also on the organising committee. “I was really proud to play a part in spreading the inspirational ideas which were presented at this year’s event.” Frew said the TEDxErasmusUniversity “surpassed expectations and the quality of the speakers was exceptional.”

Super-smart people

Having come from a very technical background, Frew said the TEDx event was a learning experience in many ways. “It was very valuable to achieve success in an area that is well outside of my comfort zone to show I am no ‘one trick pony’.” He added that he didn't have any experience in event management. “Working on a TEDx event with a team of super-smart people who wanted to share big ideas with the world was really inspirational.”

More information

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. www.rsm.nl

For more information about RSM or this release, please contact Erika Harriford-McLaren, Media & Public Relations Manager for RSM, on +31 10 408 2877 or by email at harriford@rsm.nl.