The "Great Negotiators" have reached the finals of the Negotiation Challenge 2023 in Rome.
The Negotiation Challenge (TNC) is one of the oldest and most prestigious international negotiation competitions. TNC has hosted the world’s best student negotiators from leading universities, allowing them to share their passion and negotiate with each other based on realistic simulations.
The competition has been fiercely contested by top universities from around the globe (previous winners include Harvard Law School), and the UT team's hard work and dedication have earned them a place in the finals. The team is eager to represent their university at this prestigious event, where they will face off against top-tier institutions with renowned negotiation education programmes.
Meet the team
The university's Great Negotiators team consists of three passionate and talented students, Javier Perez y Perez (Technical Medicine and Computer Science), Mandra Bensmann (Industrial Engineering) and Frank Westerveld (Business Administration and Communication Science). Each member brings unique strengths to the table. Javier has a sharp analytical mind and a talent for numbers. Mandra's exceptional people skills enable her to build strong relationships and demonstrate empathy, while Frank is a negotiation strategist, adept at structuring and leading negotiations.
"Negotiation skills are essential for all aspects of life. Whether it's negotiating a job offer or a contract, knowing how to negotiate effectively can make all the difference," says Javier. "Being able to listen and communicate effectively is crucial for building strong, long-lasting relationships," adds Mandra. Meanwhile, Frank believes that "negotiation skills are crucial for success in the professional world. Negotiation is a key part of business transactions, and being able to negotiate effectively can help you secure better deals, build stronger partnerships, and ultimately, achieve your goals."
The team views their participation in the competition as a chance to showcase the innovative approach of the University of Twente worldwide. They will gain valuable insights and practical experience to bring back to the UT community and future events. Additionally, they are excited to network and engage with people from diverse backgrounds. The team believes that their TNC 2023 experience will contribute to the success of the TNC finals hosted by the University of Twente in 2024.
About the Great Negotiators
The Master Honours programme track “Great Negotiators” is a unique programme that aims to develop students’ negotiation and communication skills by executing numerous simulations, exercises, and extensive study of the academic body of knowledge in negotiation and ethical conflict management.
