“SBI mainly captured my attention because of the strong focus on present-day societal matters. I am interested in healthcare and medical innovations, particularly in the clinical field of oncology. SBI was a perfect match as it offers life sciences and business courses. SBI is a socially conscious study programme that does not focus on only just one facet, allowing graduates to be qualified for a broader spectrum of careers.”
“The lectures were interactive and small-scale, which resulted in a very good atmosphere. There was also room for internships. I had a great time at Merck Sharp & Dohme, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer Oncology. I learned a lot there. Over time, I discovered that I thoroughly enjoy to work at the intersection of science and practice. I also became aware of how important it is to make theoretical findings understandable to the general public, which can be very challenging. More importantly, theory is not always equivalent to practice and therefore it is key to continuously connect theory to practice. My passion for medical innovations has increased, but I have also become more critical of these developments.”
“I had a wonderful time at VU Amsterdam. I was a member of a student association and lived with seven roommates at the Oudeschans in Amsterdam. In addition to the internships, I have had a variety of part-time jobs—at a greengrocer, a clothing shop, a company for real estate communication and tutoring final exams in economics and mathematics. At VU Amsterdam, I enjoyed counselling students and was active in the SBI programme committee. I also dedicated myself to the Pre-University College—they develop programmes for the highest grades of pre-university secondary education (VWO).”
“The common lesson of all study programmes for me is: the more you know, the more you realise you know nothing. I have a broad range of interests. The classes from the Master's programme in Business Administration have been valuable to this day. The success of an organisation relies on the employees, they are the most important asset, which is why I find organisational development and business strategy quite interesting. This is also true for the sustainability of healthcare: it’s not just the intervention that is critical, but also the care providers who are working in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. I’m almost done with the postgraduate programme in Clinical Epidemiology, which is also an incredibly instructive programme. Its added value is especially highlighted right now in view of the COVID pandemic.”
“SBI has essentially trained me to connect different disciplines and to effectively integrate scientific elements in a project. I work with a great team, which consists of two clinical epidemiologists, a radiation oncologist, a health economist and an innovation scientist. Multidisciplinary work has been a great source of energy for me."
Charisma Hehakaya, PhD candidate
After getting her Bachelor’s degree in Science, Business & Innovation (SBI), Charisma Hehakaya obtained a Master’s degree in SBI: Life & Health in 2018. In the second year of SBI, she started pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration: Strategy & Organisation at VU Amsterdam, which she also graduated from. Currently, Charisma is a PhD candidate at the Imaging and Oncology division of UMC Utrecht and at Julius Clinical, and she is nearly finished with the postgraduate programme in Clinical Epidemiology at Utrecht University.
“SBI has essentially trained me to connect different disciplines and to effectively integrate scientific elements in a project."