AWEX Explort Awards: Two ULiège alumni receive awards

Hülya Geçim and Natacha Kolak, two young graduates from the University of Liège, were honored at the AWEX Explort Awards ceremony. Both selected to participate in an Explort mission, they share their experiences with us.

L

ast December, the AWEX Explort Awards ceremony honored two alumni from our institution by awarding them an Explort Company Success Story Award following their participation in an Explort mission in a company.

Hülya Geçim, a graduate in electromechanical civil engineering (Faculty of Applied Sciences), carried out an Explort+ mission for Calyos, while Natacha Kolak, a graduate with a Master's degree in Management Sciences (HEC Liège), completed an Explort mission for Dermatoo-Twinskin.

What is your background at ULiège?

H.G.: I studied electrical and mechanical engineering, specializing in energy, at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. At the same time, I got involved in various student activities and programs: the Revue des Ingénieurs 2022, SPECQUE (Team ULiège) in Luxembourg and Quebec, and an Erasmus+ program in Luxembourg.

N.K.: I studied at HEC Liège. I started with a bachelor's degree in economics and management. I then continued my studies with a master's degree in management sciences, specializing in international strategic marketing.

What were your responsibilities during the internship?

H.G.: My main objective was to position and accelerate the adoption of Calyos technologies in the data center ecosystem, mainly in North America and France.

My responsibilities included: participating in trade shows and conferences to present Calyos' know-how and expertise; interacting and communicating with various companies in the ecosystem; classifying these companies according to their profiles; developing strategic partnerships with them, etc.

Another important aspect of my role was to popularize Calyos' technologies. Given the highly technical nature of the solutions offered, I translated the technology into concrete added value for the market and customer needs.

N.K.: The aim of my assignment was to conduct market research and study the potential of TwinSkin in Taiwan. The internship began with a medical trade show, which allowed me to make some contacts and get my bearings. I had the opportunity to talk with some of the country's major hospitals, which gave me a wealth of information about the healthcare system in Taiwan. Today, we are working with several companies and hospitals in the country and our footprint in the Taiwanese market is growing.

What attracted you to the Explort experience?

H.G.: I have always been drawn to international experiences and discovering new cultures. But I also wanted to understand how technologies are adopted in markets so that they can have a real impact on society and industries. Explort is a great tool for understanding these concepts and experiencing them firsthand in the field.

N.K.: I wanted to get my first taste of the professional world by being directly in the field, and I knew that the Explort program would meet my expectations. It was a way for me to learn a whole range of skills, such as approaching people, presenting in front of an audience, negotiating, and more. And all this on the other side of the world! I had already had the opportunity to go to Taiwan for my Erasmus exchange, and I wanted to go abroad again, but this time in a professional context. To my pleasant surprise, I was sent back to Taiwan for my assignment!

How did your training at ULiège help you with the assignments you were given?

H.G.: ULiège enabled me to develop a very solid technical background, which allowed me to quickly understand the technologies developed by Calyos and the needs of clients (engineers, researchers, etc.). It also taught me to develop a great deal of autonomy and a solution-oriented approach through numerous student projects, which was very useful in taking the necessary initiatives to carry out the assignment and react to unforeseen events during my adventure abroad.

N.K.: As an undergraduate, I took part in a workshop called "Developing your passion for international business," which really sparked something in me. It was an opportunity to learn a lot about what international business is really like, and I knew right then that I wanted to be a part of it. Then, as a master's student, I took part in a second workshop called "Get Ready for Wallonia Explort." I knew I wanted to participate in the program, so I applied for the workshop and was accepted. Our professor gave us four very informative sessions to make sure we had all the right tools at our disposal on the day of our departure. And then, of course, there was English. It's a very advanced course at HEC, and that's a good thing! Nothing would have been possible in Taiwan without good communication with my contacts...

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

H.G.: I see myself in a technological and international environment, where I can continue to contribute to the deployment of innovative solutions in the energy sector.

N.K.: I have just entered the world of work, in a startup. So I think it's difficult for me to have an idea of where I would like to see myself in 5 to 10 years. In any case, I know what I want for the present: to contribute to the success of TwinSkin. In a few years, I would like to be able to say that I was part of the original team of this successful Liège-based company!

What advice would you give to a ULiège alumnus or alumna who wants to take part in an Explort program?

H.G.: Dare to take risks during your mission. Whenever I was faced with a choice between a comfortable option and a riskier option that I knew would help me advance my mission, I always said to myself, "If you try, you have a chance of succeeding. If you don't try, you're sure to lose."

It was in those moments, when I stepped outside my comfort zone, that I learned the most.

N.K.: An Explort mission is a great string to add to your bow. In three months, you'll learn so much about yourself and how to work professionally and efficiently. So go for it! Step outside your comfort zone—you won't regret it!

Interested in an Explort experience?

Explort is the flagship program of AWEX , connecting young talent in Wallonia with the challenges of international trade. Through training and field missions abroad, it supports Walloon companies in their international development while boosting the careers of future global business professionals.

Get started and check out the program opportunities.

Speed Dating explort : integrate talent into your international strategy - March 19 - Liège