Andrei from Romania wins 'Are you a pioneer?' photo contest

The aim of the contest was to encourage international students to give their own interpretation of the first of our ‘unique selling points’ (USPs): Pioneering, Creative, Connected. Pioneering expresses the idea that Holland is a country of true pioneers, where international students are challenged to execute their innovative ideas. 

International students in the Netherlands, Holland alumni and students aspiring to study in Holland had three weeks to upload a photo and add some text explaining why they consider themselves pioneers on www.areyouapioneer.nl. The participants gave diverse interpretations of ‘pioneering’, either underlining their connection with the Netherlands or referring to their studies as an inspiration to improve conditions in their home countries. 

Winners

After the Nuffic judging panel chose five finalists, one week of online voting showed Andrei Girz from Romania to be the winner of the contest. Andrei studies Horticulture and Business Management at HAS University of Applied Sciences. He will be awarded an iPad. The second place goes to Meilanie Buitenzorgy from Indonesia and the third place is for Ana Maria from Colombia.

New contests in 2013

In 2013 Nuffic will hold two new contests around the USPs 'Connected', (underlining the Netherlands as a country strongly connected to other cultures) and 'Creative' (the Netherlands as a country in which everybody is encouraged to be innovative and creative).

Promotion

Dutch higher education institutions, the Nuffic Neso Offices and Dutch embassies play a key role in the promotion of these contests. By stimulating the students to take part in the contest on their websites, social media channels and other communication channels, they also promote the Netherlands as a study destination.

Nuffic used this photo contest to inform students about the study possibilities and show the link between pioneering students and the Netherlands as a pioneering and innovative country.