UT-staff show strong awareness of ECIU, but student participation still needs improvement. That, in short, is the conclusion that follows from the Awareness Survey by ECIU University.
Among all the twelve member universities was measured how well students and staff know, understand, and participate in ECIU University activities. The survey provides a baseline for future communication and engagement efforts.
At the University of Twente, the results reflect a familiar pattern seen across the alliance. Staff awareness and familiarity with ECIU University are relatively high, while student awareness is significantly lower. Engagement at UT is the strongest in education-related opportunities such as challenges and micro-modules, but student participation remains limited compared to overall awareness levels.
The online survey was conducted between September and November 2025 and was available in both English and national languages. Thousands of responses were collected from students and employees across all partner institutions. Across the alliance, 49% of respondents showed some level of awareness of ECIU University, 26% were familiar with specific opportunities, and 11% had actively participated.
The survey also shows that local university communication channels are the most effective. Emails, intranets, lecturers, and on-campus materials play a crucial role in reaching university communities, while students additionally rely on social media, particularly Instagram. The findings underline the need for clearer communication about the value of participation, especially for students. Stronger curricular integration, visible benefits, and targeted local communication are essential to turning awareness into active engagement.
The results provide valuable guidance for the University of Twente and ECIU University as a whole as they continue to strengthen visibility, participation, and impact across their academic communities.
