A Lifetime of learning: Wim Gijselaers reflects on four decades at SBE
After more than four decades at Maastricht University, Professor Wim Gijselaers is saying goodbye. Yet when reflecting on his career, he speaks remarkably little about his own achievements. Instead, he talks about the remarkable journey of the School of Business and Economics (SBE), the people who shaped it, and the culture that has made Maastricht University what it is today.
"If there's one thing I'm proud of, it's that we've managed to become an internationally recognised business school while continuing to improve and remaining grounded."
From a young university to international recognition
When Wim joined Maastricht University from Radboud University Nijmegen in the early 1980s, the university was still finding its place. Outside Maastricht, there was considerable scepticism. "People literally asked me what it felt like to move to the 'second division'. Looking back, that criticism became a source of motivation for me." According to Wim, SBE's success was never the result of a master plan. "We didn't set out with the goal of becoming one of the world's leading business schools. It happened through continuous improvement, making thoughtful decisions and creating an environment where people could succeed."
The journey was far from straightforward. During the late 1980s, declining student numbers forced the faculty to make difficult financial decisions. "There were serious discussions about possible reorganisations and budget cuts. Looking back, choosing to internationalise at that moment was one of the smartest decisions we ever made. A small group of people recognised that our future lay beyond the Netherlands, and that completely changed the trajectory of the faculty."
Today, SBE is internationally recognised for both its education and research. "When I visit universities abroad, I'm reminded how exceptional this journey has been. We sometimes underestimate what we've achieved in a relatively short period of time."
Continuous improvement as a mindset
One of the defining moments in SBE's history was the introduction of the International Business programme. "At the time, it was a bold decision. Moving towards internationalisation and teaching in English wasn't an obvious choice, but it proved to be a turning point." That willingness to innovate did not stop there. Over the years, SBE continued to invest in programmes that addressed emerging societal and organisational needs, even when they served a relatively small audience. "We've always dared to develop programmes that weren't the obvious choice. The Master's in Learning and Development in Organisations is a good example. Worldwide, there are only a handful of comparable programmes, yet it has become one of the programmes that truly distinguishes SBE."
That willingness to embrace change has remained one of SBE's greatest strengths. "There have also been periods when we needed to improve. When concerns arose about teaching quality, we didn't look for one simple solution. We invested in staff development, career policies, HR and educational quality simultaneously. Real improvement comes from addressing the whole system." For Wim, this mindset has enabled SBE to remain resilient through changing circumstances.
Students at the centre
Despite growing to more than 6,000 students, Wim believes SBE has never lost sight of what matters most. "Our students don't just earn a degree, they learn how to learn. They develop independence, critical thinking and the confidence to succeed anywhere in the world." Maintaining that quality at scale is something he considers an impressive achievement.
"It would be much easier and cheaper to adopt more traditional teaching methods. Instead, Maastricht has continued to invest in problem-based learning because it works."
"What makes me particularly proud is that students look back on their time at SBE with genuine enthusiasm. Whether they leave after their bachelor's or continue into one of our master's programmes, they remain highly engaged with the school. You can feel that energy at Tapijn every day, and I believe it is reflected in our strong international rankings as well."
A culture of collaboration
Equally important to Wim is the culture within the faculty. "I still come to work with enormous pleasure because people genuinely want to work together. Of course, there are challenges, but collaboration has always been one of our greatest strengths."
That culture also extends beyond the university. Throughout his career, Wim has focused on connecting academic research with challenges organisations face in practice. Within the Department of Educational Research and Development (ERD), he has worked on consultancy and research projects that help organisations tackle complex issues around leadership, innovation, organisational learning and employee engagement. "Organisations increasingly realise that improving performance isn't only about rules or procedures. It's about motivation, learning and collaboration. That's where our expertise makes a difference."
Over the years, ERD has collaborated with organisations across a wide range of sectors, from the automotive and mobile phone industries to the food sector and accountancy. Following the financial crisis, for example, the department contributed to projects that helped accounting firms better understand how organisational factors can reduce the likelihood of errors. Increasingly, companies and consultancy firms have turned to ERD for scientifically grounded insights that can be translated into practical solutions.
Looking ahead, he hopes ERD will continue to build on that strength. "Our expertise lies in translating high-quality scientific knowledge into solutions that organisations can actually use. I hope we continue expanding that role, while also supporting innovation in higher education. Research should always be scientifically rigorous, but it should also help solve real-world problems. That combination is what makes our department unique."
Looking ahead
Although retiring from Maastricht University, Wim does not expect to slow down anytime soon. "I'm still enormously curious about how organisations and people develop," he says. "That curiosity hasn't disappeared”. He expects to remain involved in cultural change and organisational development projects through UMIO, while continuing to collaborate with international universities on educational innovation. Writing a book remains a possibility, but he smiles at the idea. "I much prefer working with people in practice than sitting behind a desk”.
He also looks forward to having more time to read and continue challenging himself intellectually. One hobby that perfectly reflects that mindset is flight simulation. Using the same professional software employed in pilot training, he enjoys mastering new aircraft, a process that can take weeks or even months. It is a hobby he has also brought into the classroom, using cockpit simulations to demonstrate teamwork, leadership and communication under pressure.
Outside work, Wim is looking forward to spending more time in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes and baking sourdough bread. His daughter has even suggested that he write a cookbook featuring his signature dishes, a project he hasn't ruled out just yet.
"I'll miss the people"
When asked what he will miss most, his answer comes immediately. "My colleagues and my students." "I've had the privilege of seeing generations of students grow, develop and go on to build careers around the world. Watching that journey never stops being rewarding." Looking back, Wim is above all grateful. "When I think about everything we've built together, I feel incredibly fortunate. We've continued to innovate without becoming arrogant and we've remained ambitious while keeping people at the centre. That's something worth preserving for the future."
Last Friday, 10 July, Professor Wim Gijselaers delivered his farewell lecture, bringing an impressive chapter of more than forty years at SBE to a close. You can watch the lecture here.
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