Alumna Margarita Niavi on the Impact of Education

After Teaching in Greece for Eight Years, Margarita Niavi Pursued a Master's Degree at VUB. Now a Project Manager at the European Parliament, She Hopes to One Day Return to Education.

How did you end up at VUB from Greece?

"I loved teaching for eight years, but in 2015, my husband’s job brought us to Belgium. We settled in Brussels, and I started looking for something meaningful to do. I interned at the European Parliament, supporting language teachers with administrative tasks. At the same time, I learned about VUB, which was nearby. The more I read and heard about the university, the more I was convinced it was the right place to broaden my knowledge in education.

The Master's programme in Educational Sciences really appealed to me. I also appreciated VUB’s open and progressive approach. In the end, it exceeded my expectations. The course was less theoretical and more practical than I’d anticipated. Every theoretical concept was applied in practice, which I found incredibly useful."

What memories of your student days stand out to you?

"Because I was working full-time at the European Parliament, it was usually very hectic. Evenings and weekends were spent catching up on coursework and assignments. The run-up to exams always brought a lot of stress. At the same time, it was a very fulfilling period because the lessons were genuinely interesting. Although my packed schedule made it difficult to socialise with classmates, I still remember a few warm connections. Most of the students were international, so many have now returned to their home countries, but we keep in touch through social media."

“You don’t notice prejudice or stereotypes at VUB. I carry those values with me” 

Which professors left a lasting impression on you?
"There are several. Professor Nadine Engels from Educational Sciences stands out. Her approach and insights into teachers’ professional development really resonated with me. She also emphasised practical application, regularly linking theory to the classroom.

I also found Professor Koen Lombaerts' lessons on educational innovation and change inspiring. He gave us scenarios where we had to implement changes right down to the practical details. These insights were entirely new to me—I had never encountered such theories during my undergraduate studies in Greece."

Did the "V" in VUB (Vrijheid, or Freedom) matter to you during your studies?

"Absolutely. The moment you step into VUB, you notice they’re open to everyone. Students from all backgrounds come together on campus and collaborate. I thought that was fantastic. You don’t see any prejudice or stereotyping there, and I carry those values with me.

Additionally, the lessons on change management in education helped me become much better at dealing with change. I used to struggle with it, but now I approach changes—whether in my personal or professional life—with an open mind. I try to instil the same mindset in my children. I teach them not only to embrace change but also to take responsibility for creating it. If they want something to be different, they should take action rather than wait for others to do it."

What professional goals would you like to achieve?
"My ultimate, somewhat utopian dream is to run my own school in Greece someday—a place where every student has equal opportunities and feels welcome. A school where teachers not only inspire students but also have the chance to continue developing themselves. That’s my biggest dream.

A smaller, more realistic goal is to coach teachers. I would really love to do that. At the moment, I haven’t taken concrete steps in that direction, but I hope to change that soon.

Whatever I do, having an impact is important to me. That’s one reason I want to return to education. From my experience in Greece, I know how rewarding it is to see the immediate effects of your work on your students every day. In my current role, it sometimes takes months to see the results of a project. That’s fulfilling in its own way, but the direct impact you have in education is even more motivating."

What advice would you give to students graduating today?

"Education is a fundamental right, yet not everyone has access to it. That’s incredibly unfortunate, and we must do everything we can to change that."