UNITECH Alumni Association

November 14 and 15, Germany

On the 14th and 15th of November 2007 the UNITECH Local Chapter (LUC) Germany together with LUC Switzerland and Netherlands spent two exciting days in Schweinfurt visiting the SKF facilities.

After a very warm welcome by Wolfgang Sutterlüti and his colleagues, especially Alba and Liesbeth, two UNITECH Alumni, we have seen presentations about SKF’s business and its growing markets, followed by an interesting guided tour round the factory of large size roller bearings. The first day ended with a cold but nice city tour and a splendid German dinner at a genuine Bavarian brewery; local drinks included. 

Snowflakes and sun started another exciting day with two presentations regarding SKF’s experiences in Asia and the creation of new business opportunities in the aftermarket. Another highlight was a game called World Café which allowed us to exchange our experiences and new perceptions regarding SKF and gave them the chance to hear our thoughts and opinions about the characteristics of a preferred employer.

We had a really great time in Schweinfurt and many of this year’s students took the opportunity to discuss Internship possibilities. The event was very well organized and interesting. It’s nice to see that SKF puts so much effort into integrating the company in the UNITECH network!

SKF meets UNITECH:
Do you realize that you are surrounded by bearings right now?

Dear Alumni,

You may or you may not have been one of the 35 chosen that had a VIP visit to Schweinfuhrt the 14th and 15th of November. If you are one of those, you will definitely feel enriched by the professional world that opened itself to you those days. If you are unfortunately not one of them, we can definitely recommend you to get to Schweinfuhrt as fast as you can. As a Unitech community, of course we would like to share our experiences with you. What follows now is an overview of the highlights and learning experiences we gained these days:

For most of us, the trip started like a Walt Disney movie. Through a tunnel of thousands of snowflakes, cars filled with enthusiastic students started their journey from Delft, Zurich and Aachen. In these cars, you could hear hopeful and idealistic voices speaking about their dreams and wishes in the most important languages that the European Union counts.

The visit to SKF started by a traditional German lunch. Some good schweinefleis quickly filled the empty student stomaches, and the luxurious chocolates of neighboring country Switzerland pleased our tongue receptors. We were given an absolutely warm welcome by SKF people from all over the world. Former Unitech students that had found a happy home as SKF colleagues came together here in Schweinfuhrt, to give their international guests this warm welcome. The afternoon was filled with very interesting and professional presentations, ranging from stories about life at SKF, to acquisitions in China. Much emphasis lied in an explanation of the business model of SKF, which contains lots of added value by the professional and high quality services in consulting and support by the sales force. The presentations gave as well a profound explanation about the ethics, the culture, the values and the vision of SKF. Most students shared their begeistering about the professional presentations, and the pleasant discovery of the SKF culture. The first afternoon was followed by a factory tour in the plant that produces large seize bearings. In this factory, the participants made important disvoceries. What you probably do not know namely, is that at this moment you are surrouned by bearings. They are literarily everywhere, in seizes from up to 8 meters to the ones that make you fly over the highway when you are wearing your inline skates. As if this afternoon program had not been enough, the first day was followed by a guided tour through the romantic city of Schweinfuhrt, and a dinner in a traditional Schweinfuhrter restaurant. And as a bonus of this day, we even had a great time when discovering that we could even experience some latin culture in the Schweinfuhrter salsa club. What a day what a day….

The next day was just as good as the first one. This time, we had professional and interesting presentations about acquisitions in China, and how SKF managed to respect and even to strategically use cultural differences in working together with Asian companies. This was a presentation that definitely would have enchanted David Ward and Alexandra Schwarz. The next presentation was as well so professional that I would immediately sign up if the speaker would offer a course in presentation techniques. After our last Schweinfurhter lunch, the SKF colleagues organized a ‘World Café’; which demonstrates the SKF initiatives in bringing starters and people with different cultural backgrounds together. During this World Café, the participants shared their impressions, ideals and dreams with the SKF colleagues. The conclusion of these discussions were just as positive as I am trying to reflect in this article.

And this my friend, was the end of the Schweinfuhrt adventure. As you may have read, it was a very good experience. These two days definitely inspired people, and who knows more to what they may lead…….

SKF, thanks a lot for this great initiative!!!

September 13, Holland

Old and new students joined for a little pre-party in a Dutch student house and then danced all night in the student discotheque Lorre!

August 31 to September 2, 2007: Milano

GA 2007 started on Friday morning with the arrival of the Alumni at the welcome desk in the main building of Politecnico di Milano, followed by a buffet lunch together with CPs representatives.

The afternoon started with an interesting Hot Topic Discussion on research and innovation policies and strategies, led by professor De Maio, former rector of Politecnico and honorary Alumnus. Prof. De Maio, currently collaborating with the regional government of Lombardy, presented his own experience on the subject, which raised many questions in the audience.
The UAA general assembly followed. The main efforts and events that characterized last year UAA life were illustrated and new ideas, activities and inputs were discussed in order to improve the association and benefits for its members (more information on this subject will be given on next UAA newsletter). Second important topic of this year GA was the election of the new UAA Council and the new LUC coordinators (please look at the Council & LCCs section for more detail).
The day went on with the Gala Dinner, that took place at the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia , a XVI century building now a museum dedicated to the famous renaissance genius Leonardo Da Vinci. And the Renaissance style characterized this year gala dinner in all its aspects: historical location, renaissance costume dressed waiters, a little orchestra.
After the welcome speech by Prof. Ballio, rector of Politecnico, and the traditional graduation ceremony, it was time to say farewell to Carel and thank him with gifts and a long standing ovation for his work and engagement during his years as Unitech Secretary General 
The night continued with the UAA party at the Old Fashion Café, one of the most known nightclubs in Milan. Old and new students took part to this event: chat, *bleep*tails, music and dance in Parco Sempione, a beautiful garden in the city center, where the club is located.
Saturday program was more relaxing: it started with a brunch and followed with a nice city tour aimed to enjoy the city, the sunny weather and discover the most beautiful corners and monuments of Milan. And we surely couldn't miss the opportunity to taste an Italian ice cream! A nice dinner and some good drinks at the Executive Lounge, in the night district, put a beautiful end to this year UAA General Assembly.

July 5, 2007: Aachen

Although the weather was not the finest we had a delicious BBQ and a cosy atmosphere. The group was an interesting mixture of new student, current incomings and alumni and we had a lot to talk about. Even though we organized this BBQ event for the third or even forth time, there is always something to learn: Next time someone should bring along a lighter, then we don’t have to become creative again how to start a fire in a rainy forest ;-)

July 3, 2007: Barcelona

On Tuesday 3rd of July the LUC Spain organised an evening with the new elected UPC students who are going to undertake their UNITECH adventure.
We met in Fontana and went into the area of Gracia, where we had some drinks in the “Café del Sol”.
It was very nice to see the enthusiasm of these young students, who asked all kind of questions to the Alumni members, and they could check that the UNITECH adventure keeps on going after the graduation.

June 28, 2007: Barcelona

On Friday 28th of June took place the dinner with the former president of Catalonia, Mr. Jordi Pujol i Soley.

The conversation hold during the dinner faced different aspects of the current social, political and economical situation of Catalonia and Spain with the participation of everybody in the colloquia.

The result was a truly relaxed atmosphere in which the UAA members asked Mr. Pujol different questions and he answered them wisely and brilliantly.

We will remember for long that dinner.

Thanks Mr. Pujol.

June 15 to June 17, 2007: Costa Brava

After this year Spring Session we believe the best way to describe it it's participants' opinion:

I'm in my favourite tapas place in Barcelona enjoying some tapas and wine and looking back at a very successful Spring Session! I had a great time and know that all of us enjoyed ourselves very much!

You have organised a great weekend with an exceptional programme! The combination of activities was perfect, starting with active stuff and then some sight seeing, excellent wine tasting, lovely dinner and today a great city tour and very interesting museum visit. 

Thank you very much for all you've done to arrange all this! It was a great promotion for the beauty and good life of Cataluña!

See all the pictures

Carel Steensma

Thanks a lot to all of you for the organisation of this great week-end. I really enjoyed discovering Girona and its region! Beautiful landscape, sea, good wines and food and all that with the spanish ryhtm and language in the ear.....what can we expect more!!!!!

Céline Lamort (Alumni 2004)

My first UAA event...

...was the Spring Session 2007 in Girona, Spain;
...gave me the opportunity to meet new people, but also to see my Unitech buddies again;
...was perfectly prepared with a full weekend planning;
...started with a warm welcome at the hotel, followed by a Catalan dinner;
...also meant lots of eating: el desayuno internacional, la comida Catalan, tapas, la cena Catalan;
...included Spanish fiestas: bars, terrases, a discotheque in the forest of Girona;
...consisted of sports activities at the Costa Brava: screaming on a banana behind a speedboat, kayakking, sailing and windsurfing (when some people were able to return surfing, some swimming, some walking);
...covered even cultural events: visit to the Medieval city of Pals, walk through the rice fields, guided tour in Girona and a visit to an impressive Cinema Museum;
...would not have been a UAA event without some wine: winetasting in between the wineyards hills of Cataluna;
...really fitted in one weekend, which you would not say from all those activities;
...was genious!!!

Join the next time! 
Thank you Neus and Enric!

May 12, 2007. Holland

Students and Alumni gathered to see the final piece of the famous Dutch Delt Works in Hook of Holland.

January 31, 2007. Rotterdam

Student and Alumni gathered in Rotterdam to try their best at the Disco skating rink!

January 2007. UK

The first event for the UK UNITECH Alumni was held in January in the Dish-Dash restaurant in Fulham. Over some refreshing *bleep*tails and delicious Persian food, former students discussed their experiences after their UNITECH year, and made plans for possible events in the upcoming year.