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Teaching Department 2023/2024

Mandra Bensmann
Mandra Bensmann
Master Student - Industrial Design Engineering

Focal Points

  • Collaborative negotiation atmosphere
  • Relationship building
  • Strategic Value Creation and Claiming
  • Effective negotiation strategies

In the academic year 2022/23, I participated in the Great Negotiators Master Honours Programme and achieved the position of a finalist together with my team at The Negotiation Challenge 2023. To me, negotiation is more than just achieving mutually beneficial outcomes; it teaches you to become a better listener, to be more aware of both your own and your negotiation partner's underlying interests, and to navigate through complex social encounters.

As a teacher, my goal is to encourage students to understand themselves better, as this forms the foundational step towards employing natural strategies that foster value-creating negotiation environments. Coming from a background in Industrial Design Engineering, I aim to inspire students to think creatively, employ strategic thinking, and prioritize the human factor in negotiations.

Luc le Fever
Luc le Fever

Last year I was privileged to get into the NPT program. During the year I learned so much about the art of negotiating. Immediately from the start I really loved learning about negotiation and even more I liked practising it with other students in cases.

This year I am happy to announce that I can still be part of the program, not as a student but as a teacher. I am eager to train the students with the knowledge I have gained from my teachers. Doing this together with a great team of teachers makes me confident that we will make this year a success, once more.

Javier Perez y Perez
Javier Perez y Perez

Focus Points:

  • Quantitative analysis of negotiations
  • Numerical communication
  • Management of emotions
  • Reflection

Negotiation can be found in every aspect of life. I once knew nothing about it, but thanks to my negotiation education at the University of Twente, I've learned to listen actively, communicate clearly, strategize effectively, prioritize efficiently, and reflect thoroughly. This knowledge has enriched my understanding of the world around me. The participation in a globally renowned negotiation competition was the icing on the cake of my education, leaving me an invaluable memory and network of negotiation enthusiasts.

I would love to share my knowledge and passion with other students because it will help them both on a professional and a personal level. Moreover, my goal is to improve their numerical communication. Together with the teaching department at Negotiation Project Twente (NPT), I want to contribute to teaching this essential skill, which will help other students to suceed in the future by understanding the world around them!

Frank Westerveld
Frank Westerveld

Focal points:

  • Negotiation & Leadership.
  • Active listening.
  • Influence strategies.
  • Negotiation preparation.

Hi, my name is Frank, and I empower individuals and teams with advanced negotiation skills to create sustainable value and nurture meaningful relationships.

My diverse academic and practical background spans Business Administration, Communication Science, and the Science of Negotiation. In the 2022-2023 academic year, I was honored to participate in the Great Negotiators Master Honours Programme at the University of Twente. Here, I excelled as a member of the UT-competition team, ultimately reaching the finals of The Negotiation Challenge 2023, a prestigious global competition.

This extraordinary experience ignited my interest for negotiation, propelling me into roles where I now educate others as a teacher in the Negotiation Project Twente and lead as the chairman of the Dutch Negotiation Network. In addition, I'm deeply involved in pioneering research on ransomware negotiations at Northwave, a foremost cybersecurity company in the Netherlands. My work as a junior security consultant at Northwave enriches my negotiation expertise with a practical, real-world perspective.

I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to empower new students in mastering the science and art of negotiation, enabling them to not only advance personally but also contribute to a world in need of more proficient conflict resolution experts!

Former Teaching Departments

Atis Kazaferi
Atis Kazaferi
Program Coordinator - Industrial Engineering and Management

Focal points:

  • Effective communication and negotiation
  • Negotiation styles
  • Value creation
  • Argumentation building

In 2019 I participated in the NPT negotiation program, leading to exciting participation in WNR 2020. I love teaching, and above all, I love negotiating: everyone deserves to know the best version of themselves. Negotiation theories used in everyday life have helped me in my journey so far, and I would like to share this experience with the UTwente students. Having a background in Industrial Engineering, I want to teach students of different backgrounds the beauty of mixing analytical, communication, and assertive skills in their everyday negotiations, and more.

DILÁRA IMER
DILÁRA IMER
Program Designer - MSc BA - Purchasing & SCM

Focal points:

  • Persuasive communication tactical reasoning
  • Strategic value creation
  • Tactful value claiming
  • Intercultural mediations

Gaining the greatest value does not have to come at the highest cost, as long as one knows how to utilize the right skills. To negotiate strategically means to possess a variety of skills that can be utilized simultaneously, having the ability to use emotions tactically, and can separate the person from the matter.

Thankfully the ability to negotiate strategically is not an innate trait, and can in fact be taught. A skill where everyone can get the most of what they want, in the most efficient way possible, without harming others in the process. This is why it is imperative that this skill is introduced to everyone, no matter the age. As it will allow many to gain a competitive edge in not only their respective industries but also their personal lives.

Mira Kumar
Mira Kumar
Progam Designer - BSc Communication Science

Focal points:

  • Relationship building
  • Argumentation Building, Reasoning & Persuasion
  • Questioning & Active Listening
  • Strategic value creation

Whether you are a student, employee, business owner, or private person, you will find yourself in a situation where a proper set of communication and negotiation skills will save you from an unfavorable outcome. Having the possibility to learn about and practice your individual negotiation skills is the opportunity we, at NPT, offer our students. Negotiation skills help when dealing with different situations, taking opportunities, and most importantly being a more confident version of yourself.

Stan Mensen
Stan Mensen
Competition Manager - MSc BA - Purchasing & SCM

Focal points:

  • Negotiation Strategy & Leadership 
  • Argumentation Building, Reasoning & Persuasion
  • Value Claiming Tactics 
  • Questioning & Active Listening

I believe that negotiation skills are essential in succeeding in both your professional as well as your personal life. Everything, where a conflict of interest exists, is in fact a negotiation. It is my job and passion to empower the students of NPT with the negotiation skills and knowledge to succeed in the future.

Ömer Avci
Ömer Avci
MSc BA - Purchasing & SCM

Focal points:

  • Distributive/Integrative Negotiations
  •  Argumentation Building
  • Culture in Negotiating
  • Creative Solutions

I believe negotiation and communicational skills are essential for anyone to acquire. We negotiate and communicate in every aspect of our lives, be it work, studies, or in personal settings. Hence, in order to grow as an individual, it would be better if these skills are developed. Therefore, together with the other teachers at Negotiation Project Twente (NPT), we recognized the value in the ability to disseminate knowledge to other students at the University of Twente. 

Mehmet Taşdoğan
Mehmet Taşdoğan
MSc BA - Digital Business

Focal points: 

  • Distributive and Integrative strategies
  • Multiparty negotiations
  • International / Diplomatic negotiations
  • Argumentation Building                                      

NPT has been of great value to me. Being a good negotiator helps you in achieving your goals, resolving conflicts, and help you build better relationships, be it in your personal or professional life. I believe negotiating and communicating is a skill that can be taught and learned, and I enjoy the possibility to pass on the knowledge and experience I’ve gained through NPT to new students from the University of Twente!

Thiemen Doppenberg
BSc CreaTe

Focal points:

  • Relationship building
  • Argumentation building
  • Conflict management
  • Creating value

Negotiation can be found in any aspect of life. Studying the art of dealmaking is a meaningful addition to anyone's skill set. Businesses aim to get the 'best deals possible' and with negotiation skills, you know how to get there.

However, to me, it is also important how you get what you want. In the end, a fruitful, long-term relationship is way better than a one-time-only business deal where you try to squish out the last few extra percents, leaving your business partner feeling used and dissatisfied.

My goal is that everyone leaves the room with a smile on their face.

Miriam Haas
Miriam Haas
Competition Manager / Board Communication MSc BA - Purchasing & SCM, Procurement Consultant