Meet Wittenborg’s IAAP Members: Beatrice van der Heijden

06.06.2025

Radboud University Professor Highlights Importance of Cultural Intelligence and Competencies

“I see Wittenborg playing an increasingly leading role in attracting international students and fostering lifelong alumni connections,” says International Academic Advisory Panel (IAAP) member Beatrice van der Heijden, for whom the school stands out because of its commitment to quality and family spirit.

Holding a PhD in Management Science from the University of Twente, van der Heijden is a professor and Head of the Department of Strategic Human Resource Management at Radboud University. Additionally, she is a work and organisational psychologist and specialises in career research, with more than 30 years of experience.

Van der Heijden joined Wittenborg’s IAAP in 2019. She highlights that her decision to become a member was motivated by the desire to engage in mutual learning and to contribute to the school by sharing her insights on research, teaching, impact and leadership.

“Another reason was to share more years of collaboration with Ron Tuninga, my very dear friend and colleague over many years. We met when he was the Dean at Maastricht School of Management, and I was Head of the Department of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, and we have been in touch ever since. Ron believed in my competencies and created the possibilities for me to become a full professor,” van der Heijden comments.

She is also grateful to Professor Bert Felling for believing in her and nominating her for several awards and recognitions which she subsequently received. According to van der Heijden, the most valuable lesson she learned from working in international education is that cultural intelligence and competencies are key. “They enable you to really enjoy your working life in the best possible way. There is nothing better than working in an international community. I truly love it.”

Apart from her work, van der Heijden’s passions include travelling and reading. She highly recommends the novel ‘Alone in the World’ by Hector Malot.