Carrying out your external project

It is obligatory to notify the co-ordinator that you have arrived at your work place and that (s) he knows how to contact you there. Therefore, you need to fill in the notification form (‘meldingsformulier’) through the web application Student Mobility System withing the first two weeks of your assignment. If your programme doesn't use the SMS then you have to send the notification form (annex 2 or a programme specific version) in duplicate to the co-ordinator.

In the case of any problems, e.g. the assignment differs too much from the agreed assignment - you should discuss the matter with your mentor, co-ordinator and UT supervisor as soon as possible. Try and avoid allowing the issue to drag on and on.

4.3 Supervision by the employer

You will receive supervision by a mentor from the employer where you are doing your external project. This mentor will help you on a daily basis in order to get acquainted with your work environment and supply you with any necessary pieces of information. (S)he will also give their professional opinion about your performance by filling in Appendix 3A or 3B ’Professional assessment form’ at the end of your external project.

You will discuss these aspects with your mentor at the start of your assignment. In case the mentor has questions about the procedures that you cannot answer, you can ask him to contact the co-ordinator.

4.4 Work plan/logbook

The duration of the external project may seem very long at the beginning. However, in reality, it turns out that the project period comes to an end very quickly. Therefore, it is very important for you to use your time as efficiently as possible. One obvious point is that it is much easier to gather information while you are still at the place where you are doing your assignment, then trying to get it later. Therefore, before you start your assignment you should try and make a rough work plan with activities that you are going to carry out. Furthermore it is advisable to keep a logbook in which you note what you have done on a daily basis. This way you will have all necessary information complete at the end of your external project and that will enable you to write a good final report.

4.5 Accessing the UT literature databases from your place of work

Your employer will not always have an extended library available. Also, access to electronic available literature will not always be possible. However, it is possible to access various literature databases through the UT library’s website: http://www.utwente.nl/ub .

Many of these databases are solely accessible through the UT network (IP-range 130.89). As an UT employee or student, working from a work place with an IP-number outside the range 130.89, you can still access information on the UT network by using a VPN connection (Virtual Private Network). You can find a manual for setting up a VPN connection to the UT here.

In case VPN is a problem there is also the possibility to apply for a pin code for PiCarta and Elsevier Science@Direct. However, please note that PiCarta only offers a search function, while Science@Direct offers the possibility to download full text documents in pdf format for a period of three months. You can apply by e-mail for a pin code at the IBL-bureau ibl@itbe.utwente.nl