IING Belgium brings together Matexi and Artevelde University College Ghent
ING’s Top Transfer forms the bridge between the private sector and academia
Advising entrepreneurs is deeply rooted in the DNA of ING Belgium. In order to go beyond just offering traditional advice regarding financial management and risk management, ING Belgium gave five Belgian entrepreneurs the chance to win a meeting with a top manager. Today sees Hilde Gekiere of Artevelde University College Ghent meet Matexi’s Gaëtan Hannecart for a discussion about entrepreneurship amongst recently graduated students.
Candidates had until 31 December to tell ING Belgium which top manager they would like to meet and why. The managers themselves then had the task of choosing a winner from amongst the various candidates. The winners and managers will meet each other during April for an interesting discussion and advice about business, taking risks and making decisions.
Erik Vanden Eynden, Head of Midcorporates & Institutionals, explains why this competition is so important for ING Belgium: "We strongly believe that entrepreneurs need to surround themselves with people who can think together with them, but not necessarily the same as them, people who empower them to stay a step ahead in life and in business. It is only in this way that one can advance in a constructive fashion and weigh up concepts against current market conditions. Whether it’s a banker, a colleague or in this case students: this type of interaction is extremely important in determining the feasibility and credibility of a concept.”
Today a meeting is due to take place between Hilde Gekiere, a lecturer in business management at Artevelde University College Ghent and Gaëtan Hannecart, CEO of Matexi. One of the main aims of the college’s business management programme is to promote the idea of entrepreneurship amongst students and provide them with a good knowledge base in order to succeed.
Hilde Gekiere is looking forward to the meeting: “I love the fact that my job allows me to create enthusiasm amongst young students about becoming entrepreneurs. I expect to receive some tips from Gaëtan Hannecart which I can then pass on to my students. Furthermore, I would also like to talk to him about how even greater synergy can be created between education and the private sector.”
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For more information:
ING Belgium Press Service + 32 2 547 24 84, pressoffice@ing.be