Introduction
Since its foundation in 1961, community building has been an essential element of the University of Twente's philosophy. This is expressed in, among other things, our small-scale, interactive learning environment. A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration and interaction with people from other disciplines, for example in project-directed education and in our bachelor modules. In addition, mentoring, tutoring and coaching have always been crucial aspects of our educational model. The importance of community building is also manifested in the campus, with its small-scale housing and student residences, which promotes social interaction.
UT distinguishes two types of communities:
- Communities in the context of educational programmes, and
- Inter-faculty communities based on a collective mission and/or similar interests.
Examples of the latter are student teams (e.g., Solar Team, Dream Team, Pre-U Team) and the Honours Community. These communities help to manifest the University's core values in the real world (entrepreneurship, world citizenship, synergy and social impact).
UT applies the home base concept in order to promote community building. Based on extensive qualitative research, students and staff seem to find the following elements important for creating a successful home base:
- Work and relaxation. The most important element for a student's home base is the opportunity to have a communal area for both work and relaxation.
- Being connected to one’s study programme and fellow students. It starts with integrating first-year students into the home base. The presence of different cohorts at one location is important, so that students can share their experiences. As far as interfaculty communities go, it is also important that students have a place where they can meet each other in order to promote a sense of being connected to facilitate working together.
- Recognition. A student needs to feel at home and needs to feal that they are a part of the community. The University has to be a recognisable place that is accessible to all students.
- Location. In order to link a home base to a study programme, the ideal environment is in the vicinity of student associations and academic staff.
Relevant policy incorporating the above also includes a long-term strategic plan for housing (LTSH). This plan lays out all real estate developments as a prognosis for the next five years.
Source: "UT Quality Agreements 2019-2024".
Objective
One of the foundations of a home base is its location. Preferably, the location of the home base is in the vicinity of the study programme and educational facilities. For first-year students in particular, the location being close to educational activities is of great importance, otherwise they will lose their attachment to the home base at an early stage.