Organ­i­sa­tion and Management

In the first part of the course, the focus is on different models of cross-cultural research that can be used when working with the manifestations of cultural differences. These models and their concepts are elaborated by using them to discuss differences between Belgium and other European cultures on the one hand, and between Belgium and African, Asian and Arabic cultures on the other hand. In the second part, the focus is on cultural differences relating to specific management contexts. Successively, we focus on human resources management (hiring, motivation, performance appraisal and feedback, rewarding, career counseling), negotiations, business ethics, conflict resolution and leadership, within the context of international management.

Course materials: Manual: Intercultural Skills for International Business and International Relations (Author: S. Paul Verluyten) + study material on Canvas (online school platform). 

In the first part of the course, the focus is mainly on the topic of Travel Management. What do you need to keep into account when organizing a business trip for your manager (national and international) as well as receiving guests who are on a business trip in your own country (to visit your company).
In the second part, the focus shifts to the topic of Event Management. What are the steps you need to follow to organize an event as well as the sharing of some tips and tricks by event managers who have years of know-how and expertise in the industry.

Course materials: 
Syllabus « Project Management  -Travel & Event Management » by Kathleen Galle

This concept is a form of project-based problem-driven learning. It is a practical application of the theory that you learn about in the subject ‘Project Management: travel & event management’. Based on a case study, you will organize an incentive trip in a team, just as you would if you were working for a company. We provide you with a structure (a case study with a number of requirements: see below) and a bibliography. The aim is that you look for the most effective way of carrying out these tasks. Various groups will be working on the same case study for eight weeks. A jury will decide on which incentive trip best meets the set requirements.

Course materials: Syllabus 

The course ‘Integrated Facility Management’ focuses on the study of the measurability of Facility Management. This measurability is becoming increasingly important. We study customer satisfaction, cost analysis, investment policy, budget management, performance management, process management, Total Quality Management, planning and control, and benchmarking of facility services.

The added value provided by Facility Management to the primary business process will also be explored. We tackle the issue of determining who or what makes the assessment of facility management. We start with a stakeholder analysis. The conditions that need to be fulfilled for the realization of added value by facility services are being investigated. The result areas where facility management can realize added value are clearly defined.

Finally, we take a closer look at some current trends and developments in Facility Management.

Course materials: syllabus.

Extra costs: More or less €10 for public transport for a company visit

The aim of the "Survival Dutch" course is to master the basics of the Dutch language, both written and spoken. Starting from everyday situations, you will learn the necessary grammar and vocabulary in order to function in a Dutch speaking environment.

We strongly recommend incoming students to participate in the Survival Dutch course, organized prior to the start of the semester.

You follow the GPC 3 English classes in the first semester. In these classes, several professional themes will be tackled (such as organizing a teambuilding day). As a group of 4 students you will work together to come up with a concept for a teambuilding day with the whole class. At the end of November you will pitch this concept to a jury who will decide which group has won the assignment. The winning group will finalize its concept an organize the actual teambuilding day. In December, you will participate in this teambuilding together with your fellow classmates and some of your lecturers.

Extra costs: €60 for participation in teambuilding day
Course materials: Provided material on learning platform

With the internationalisation of study programmes, more and more presentations are given in English. No matter how spectacular a project or its the findings, they only become relevant when they have been shared with others. A project is not finished until the results have been published or presented. In this course, you will be together with exchange students from other degree programmes and discuss general presentation techniques - e.g. how to use body language, the voice, and visual aids - and we give tips and hints on how to prepare and structure a presentation.

Content is King! And since nowadays a lot of communication uses digital channels, digital content is becoming more and more important in the communication mix. In this course within the degree of Communication, you will get familiar with online content strategy, creation and management. In short, this means you will learn how to decide what to use, how to make it and how to keep everything on track.

Cultuur BXL Culture is a course within the degree in Communication and gets you acquainted with the rich cultural variety in Belgium by way of what Brussels has to offer in the cultural field. You familiarize yourself with Brussels’ cultural institutions and you improve your cultural knowledge on visual arts and performing arts. You get acquainted with cultural communication and topical cultural subjects and trends. 

Depending on the seasonal cultural programme you will visit expositions and performances. Extra cost: +/- 40€ for cultural visits

How does one orient itself towards the future -or should we say futures-, in an ever-changing world? Through participation in a hands-on futures research project related to your area of expertise, you will gain a better understanding on how to navigate future worlds.  Together we will learn how to give meaning to the many changes unfolding around us and empower you to actively co-create more sustainable futures for all.
At the end of the course you will understand the relevance of futures research for your specific work context and have gained a ‘futures literacy’ skillset which allows you to think about the future in a more rich, resilient, systemic and creative way.

Evaluation: Portfolio

Artificial Intelligence or AI is a buzzword today and remains a concept poorly understood, vague, and often approached with fear of the unknown or with false hopes about what can be achieved. The course "Navigating the world of Artificial Intelligence" aims to introduce non-IT students to some of the basic concepts, principles, and techniques that fall under the umbrella term AI and offers a more nuanced understanding on the topic. This course is specifically designed for students with no technical background. This is not a coding course! Instead this is an introductory course that enables students to think critically, creatively and ethically about the implementation of AI technology.

Through exercises, you will be encouraged to investigate the general impact of AI in your own field to then further conceptualize what that could mean for a specific organization within your field. The students are guided through these exercises via online course material and regular discussions with peers.

Management Support 2 gives you insights in the strategic framework of an organisation and its environmental factors that have an impact on it. We will dig into the structures and different collaborations within a company. We also study different kinds of management styles and methods (e.g. Change Management).

You will reflect on these models and necessary skills for the future work environment in order to contribute to the organizational goals. An Office Manager understands the impact he has as a person and professional and knows how to change people and resources in order to make the organisation more efficient, competent and sustainable. Besides the importance of “Emotional Intelligence” (EQ), we will discover the impact of your “Adaptability Quotient” (AQ) to develop a professional carrier in a rapidly changing world.   

Language of instruction: Dutch & French (Modules 1 en 3 in French + module 2 in Dutch)

Organizations strive to pay more attention to individual talents of the employees in their HRM strategy. A junior Office Manager needs to be aware of the development ambitions of the organization and the availability of its human talents.  Human Resource Management wants to tailor goals of both employer and employees in order to be more (cost-) effective. It aims a good balance between social and economic objectives.

In this course the student becomes familiar with different models of HRM, with a special focus on staff planning, recruitment, selection & assessment, career management, lifelong learning, performance management, rewarding & appreciation, work design, labour relations.

The junior Office Manager will be in a position to communicate effectively with specialists in this domain and will be able to fulfil a job implementing procedures of HRM

Course materials: 
Manual HRM, authors: VAN BEIRENDONCK Lou, CANNAERTS Nele, HENDERICKX Erik, VAN BEIRENDONCK Charlotte (35€)

Language of instruction: Dutch.