Meet Wittenborg’s IAAP Members: Peter van der Sijde

14.07.2025

Peter Shares Thoughts on Future of International Education

For Peter van der Sijde, becoming a member of Wittenborg’s International Academic Advisory Panel (IAAP) was a natural next step after his involvement in the school’s accreditation process. “I was Chair of the combined FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) and NVAO (The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders) panel. That’s how I got to know Wittenborg," he explains.

Born in the Netherlands, van der Sijde has had a long and diverse academic career. He is an emeritus professor of Organisation, Entrepreneurship & Technology at Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, where he supervised numerous bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students. He also spent part of his career at the University of Twente and played a role in several EU-funded projects as both a partner and a project manager.

Over the years, he has supervised around 20 PhD candidates to completion and published widely in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation. His work has focused on the intersection of business and technology — areas that continue to evolve and challenge traditional approaches to education.

Reflecting on Wittenborg, he highlights its internationalism and diversity as key strengths. “The mix of students from different backgrounds makes it unique. That kind of international environment really stands out when you compare Wittenborg with other business schools,” he says.

Looking ahead, van der Sijde sees the school continuing to grow while keeping its distinctive character. “It’s heading towards becoming an international boutique business school,” he adds, suggesting a model that is small-scale, selective, and global in scope.

Asked what he’s learned from working in international education, he keeps it simple: “Education has no nationality.”
For students, he recommends A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. “As a student in whatever direction, you need to be aware of the history of science and its accomplishments,” he says. The book, which explores science in a way that’s both accessible and engaging, encourages curiosity beyond one’s chosen field.

Outside academia, van der Sijde has an unusual interest: parapsychology – the study of phenomena like telepathy and clairvoyance that explore what we consider possible. “It forces me to think about the boundaries of science,” he explains.