Overview | About HE | Humanitarian Engineering

At the University of Twente, we believe in engineering with purpose.

Through our Humanitarian Engineering initiative, we bring together education, research, and societal engagement to address challenges faced by communities affected by resource limitations, inequality, and crises.

By combining technical expertise with social and contextual understanding, we prepare future professionals and researchers to co-create sustainable, practical solutions that improve well-being and strengthen resilience. Our work spans humanitarian response, community development, and responsible innovation, always in close collaboration with stakeholders and communities.

Aligned with UT’s Shaping 2030 vision, the initiative brings together the faculties of Engineering Technology (ET), Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), and Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS). Together, we are building a leading European centre for Humanitarian Engineering that advances knowledge, educates future leaders, and contributes to a more equitable and sustainable world.

Key domains

Humanitarian Engineering at the University of Twente focuses on three main domains that represent its backbone:

Humanitarian Aid Engineering

Humanitarian Aid Engineering is all about immediate responses in times of need. You can think of, for example, quick solutions for water supply, communication connections, first de-mining actions, or flexible and modular facilities. At the University of Twente, we focus on developing engineering innovations to serve humanity, especially in the direction of more vulnerable and underserved communities.

Domain Coordinator

dr. E. Hendriks MSc (Eefje)

Assistant Professor of Disaster Resilience and Humanitarian Assistance

+31629129801

e.hendriks@utwente.nl

Building: Langezijds 1429

Resilience Engineering

Resilience Engineering is about long-term planning and capacity building. You can think of, for example, maintenance planning, education facilities, robust infrastructures, but also context and cultural awareness and co-creation. At the University of Twente, we focus on a synergetic and common effort to increase the well-being and the global sustainable growth by significantly decreasing disaster risk.

Domain Coordinator

dr. A. Martinetti MSc (Alberto)

Associate Professor in Humanitarian Engineering

+31534896609

a.martinetti@utwente.nl

Building: Horst Complex W233

Responsible and Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Responsible and Sustainable Entrepreneurship is about the implementation and value creation from technology in a local and volatile context. You can think of, for example, job creation and small-scale economy planning.

Domain Coordinator

dr. M.L. Franco Garcia (Laura)

Assistant Professor

+31534894234

m.l.francogarcia@utwente.nl

Building: Ravelijn 1153

Stay connected with Humanitarian Engineering

Keep up with the latest Humanitarian Engineering news, student projects, events, opportunities, and community activities. Follow our LinkedIn page to stay connected with fellow students and partners, and to hear about the latest developments in the programme and the wider field of Humanitarian Engineering.