The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of the University of Groningen and Royal Avebe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to confirm and continue their collaboration. Both partners look forward to intensifying their cooperation on projects in the areas of skills, curriculum development and research.
Avebe is an ingredient supplier that uses the potato as their raw product. The company produces potato starch and potato protein for various applications, for example in food, the construction industry and animal nutrition. To get the most out of the potato, Avebe is always looking for innovative solutions and products. FEB intends to play a role here. As a partner with whom to initiate research projects that fit the mutual ambitions and by providing young talent.
The academic and collaborative interests in the alliance between FEB and Avebe are initially focused in the areas of technology management (operations, supply chain, digital transformation), sustainable business and business administration (marketing, HRM, finance, strategic innovation). The dean of the faculty, Professor Peter Verhoef, looks forward to the intensified collaboration with Avebe. “As Faculty of Economics and Business, we want to be a linking pin in our region and connect with important companies in the Northern Netherlands. Avebe is one of those companies. The partnership with Avebe fits well within FEB’s strategy, which is increasingly focused on themes like sustainability, data science and digitalization.”
Recent FEB alumni have found jobs at Avebe and the company is continuously on the lookout for new talent. FEB has also worked with Avebe on student projects before. Solidifying this relationship is a logical next step. Under the new MoU, students will have more opportunities to partner with the company. This can for instance include individual internships, trainee positions within Avebe, student teams carrying out research projects on a specific topic for Avebe, and guest lectures by Avebe colleagues. Rob van Laerhoven, Chief Financial Officer at Avebe, is keen on working together with FEB to create added value and innovative solutions. “For Avebe it is very important that we attract young talent. We expect to see a wide range of vacancies in the future, especially in the area of technology management. The collaboration with FEB will help us to promote working at Avebe. We are an internationally focused organization, which is something people may not always be aware of. Because of our increasingly international focus, there are a lot of opportunities to work at Avebe.”
On the picture: Rob van Laerhoven (left) en Peter Verhoef
