The Sefa Research Project offers students a unique opportunity to engage in an International Consultancy Project abroad. Over the past years, our dedicated teams have successfully operated in diverse countries such as China, Vietnam, India, Argentina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, the Philippines, Chile, Spain, Portugal, South Korea, and Mexico. This academic year’s location will be announced shortly!
With a team comprising 12 highly motivated Student Consultants and 4 Management Committee members, our mission is to engage with and acquire multinational companies expanding to the selected location, as well as companies based there. The Management Committee is responsible for leading this process: acquiring companies, guiding the consultants, and ensuring that the project runs smoothly from start to finish. Following the acquisition phase, the Student Consultants will collaborate in teams to develop tailor-made solutions for each company’s research challenges, while the Management Committee supervises and coordinates the process. This consultancy project is divided into two phases: desk research conducted in the Netherlands, followed by field research conducted on-site at the companies’ premises abroad.
To prepare and support the Management Committee, we provide professional training sessions delivered by leading firms such as KPMG and EY. Additionally, you will receive guidance from experienced professors at UvA throughout the year. The committee works in close collaboration with two full-time Sefa board members, who oversee the overall progress of the project.
What can I learn as a member of the Management Committee?
Currently, applications are open for 3rd-year bachelor students and master students! As a Management Committee member of the Sefa Research Project, you will develop valuable leadership and project management skills by guiding a team of Student Consultants and overseeing an international consultancy project. You will learn how to do acquisition, how to manage and coordinate a consultancy project, and how to work with multinational companies in a different cultural context. You will further strengthen your organizational and teamwork skills, while receiving personalized training from some of the biggest consulting companies in the Netherlands.
We are excited about the upcoming challenges and opportunities abroad and look forward to another successful year of the Sefa Research Project.
This project would not have been possible without the generous financial sponsorship of the Amsterdams Universiteitsfonds (AUF). We extend our deepest appreciation to the AUF for their crucial support, which has been instrumental in making this project a reality. Their participation has greatly facilitated our work, and we are profoundly grateful for their contribution.
Testimonial
Jan Sladkovsky – Head of Acquisition of Research Project 2024-2025
Being Head of Acquisition for the Sefa Research Project has been one of the most rewarding experiences next to my studies. Working with a diverse team of 16 students, I learned the importance of active listening, adaptability, and integrating different perspectives to solve complex challenges faced by clients. I strengthened my professional communication skills by guiding companies from initial interviews to final contracts, building trust, and aligning client needs with our value proposition.
This experience also provided invaluable memories from a month of stakeholder engagements across Asia, where we met clients in person, conducted interviews, and gained insights into different business cultures. Navigating these cultural nuances gave me a fresh perspective on global markets and enhance
