The fact that Rotterdam Business School students and staff are now at the WTC is an emergency measure after it became apparent last week that part of the Kralingse Zoom location does not comply with fire safety requirements.

‘A good decision’, says IBMS student Fatima. ‘It will take some getting used to, but this location is closer than the Kralingse Zoom for me.’ Classmate Elsa lives near the Capelsbrug and now has to travel further. ‘We don’t yet know how long this is going to last. If it is only for a few days, that’s fine,’ she says.

Where is the WTC entrance?

Room WTC 279 was not all that easy to find for the two students this morning. Fatima: ‘First we waited in the big WTC hall, but that was not where we were supposed to be.’ Many students only received the message that they should go to the WTC. They were told the room number, but not where the correct entrance was.

About 15 students are gathered in the big hall shortly after 8 o’clock. A Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Rotterdam) employee asks the students to wait a little longer. ‘They are going to show us the way to the rooms’, explains Lars, a first-year IBMS student.

Lars has mixed feelings about the relocation to the WTC. ‘Pity it has to happen to us, but arrangements have been made very quickly and I approve of them having closed off the building. What happened in London isn’t something to be taken lightly.’

The Hogeschool flag marks the entrance

A lady walks up to Lars and the other students. ‘You have to go outside, then turn right, and right again at the McDonald’s. The Hogeschool flag marks the entrance.’

At that entrance, on the corner of Rodezand and Meent, it becomes clear immediately that the students have arrived at the right place. There are five ladies in red Hogeschool hoodies standing next to the flags, one lady for each study programme. They are giving out floor plans and are available to answer questions. There are more ladies in red on the different floors.

‘It was actually quite fun to do’

And on the sixth floor is a satisfied Martijn Baarendse, Hogeschool Rotterdam real estate and housing manager. ‘It was hectic, but last Saturday evening we were already finished with the relocation and the installation. We thought we would need the whole weekend, but luckily that wasn’t the case. Thanks to the movers, the Facilities and Information Technology people, and also the teaching staff who helped. Since it was reasonably quick, it was actually quite a lot of fun too.’

There are no staff rooms yet. They will be set up only if the decision is made on Wednesday to stay longer at the WTC. Four teachers are using the table in the open space on the fourth floor as a meeting point. ‘There is coffee here, so it is also a staff room in a way’, says Linda, international business communication teacher, laughing.

Coffee and all sorts of biscuits are free at the WTC, at least today. ‘What a warm welcome,’ comments Linda. Students are also taking advantage of the service provided. According to one of the business students: ‘Now this is what I call positive marketing!’

Jos van Nierop