iE&D Solutions bv
International Education & Development

Client testimonials

What our clients say about our marketing consultancy, market analysis and training support on international education marketing.

"Vrije Universiteit hired Thijs for a sales training of its staff responsible for degree mobility. Thijs and his team performed well beyond expectations in realizing a sales-oriented spirit within the team in just three sessions. Thijs showed the best of real customer care by showing not just sincere interest in our sales activities but also by showing strong determination to make the sales-oriented approach work at Vrije Universiteit."
Frans Snijders, Director International Office, VU University Amsterdam (2014)

"Using Thijs at iE&D Solutions for strategic advice is possibly the best investment I ever made in my 20 years of marketing. Thijs knowledge of international student recruitment and marketing ranges from the nitty gritty details of how to make best use of student fairs up to the management level with funding, organization, and analysis. He is also a very pleasant person to deal with and I can warmly recommend him both as a speaker and a consultant."
Joachim Ekstrom, Communication Strategist, Uppsala University (2013)

"RNTC hired Thijs for his expertise and track record in increasing the number of self paying and scholarship applicants for its training courses. Based on his analysis of RNTC, Thijs created and implemented a completely new marketing and communication approach of potential customers. Although it is still early days, results have improved, and the prospects are promising. Thijs is knowledgeable, committed and flexible, and easy to work with."
Peter Veenendaal, General Manager RNTC (2012)

"The last few years Thijs set up the marketing, communication and applications department at IHS. He managed to develop a high quality, efficient team which covers a wide range of activities. I'm very satisfied with the work he delivered."
Kees van Rooijen, director IHS, Erasmus University Rotterdam (2011)

"The impact of the seminar on Branding stayed with us and emerged in various shapes and results. It is interesting to see how the content of one seminar can keep popping up in different contexts for a long time. The workshop had a very good impact, and I could see the influence throughout the week."
Gudrun Paulsdottir, Vice-President EAIE (2010)

"Education New Zealand commissioned a 3-day Marketing and Recruitment workshop for the international education industry in New Zealand, of which Thijs van Vugt of iE&D Solutions was one of the presenters. The presentations were professional and relevant to the participants and delivered in a way that was easy to understand and follow. Thijs engaged continuously with the group and was very approachable and knowledgeable. Feedback from the participants included: "We came expecting a quality workshop and were not disappointed."
Kathy Phillips, Industry Development Manager, Education New Zealand (2009)

"The workshop with Thijs van Vugt was characterised by his profound expertise in Marketing issues. The participants got a lot of helpful suggestions how to improve their daily work. It was a pleasure working with such a professional trainer."
Frauke Zurmühl, International DAAD Academy, Germany (2008)

"We were particularly impressed by the no-nonsense approach through which Thijs van Vugt translated his excellent knowledge and experience into very specific activities. This resulted into good value for money. In 2008, we will continue to work with iE&D, as they will assist us in improving our CRM system, website, internet marketing and alumni policy."
Jan Franssen, IHS, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands (2007)

"The combination of specialist knowledge, experience, professionalism and flexible approach of iE&D Solutions has worked very well for us. The straightforward hands-on mentality further contributed to the high confidence we put in iE&D Solutions."
Wessel Meijer, coordinator EXAMPLE Erasmus Mundus Project, Utrecht University, Netherlands (2007)

"The reason why we chose IE&D Solutions as the external evaluators was their competence and expertise. We highly relied on both Thijs' and Rene's professionalism, expertise and competence."
Harri Malinen, project co-ordinator Barents Education Network, University of Lapland, Finland (2007)

Please also see our workshop reviews. For more information, contact Thijs van Vugt.