As of January 2026, Stefan Kooij has been appointed as the new 4TU+.CEE (Centre for Engineering Education) leader at the University of Twente (UT). He succeeds Cindy Poortman, who held this position since February 2021.
Stefan is associate professor at the Faculty of Science and Technology, where his research focuses on experimental surface science and nanoscale interfacial phenomena. In addition to these research activities, Stefan has an extensive track record as educator and educational leader, with an active role in shaping science and engineering education. He previously served as programme director of Applied Physics and as vice-dean education in the Faculty of Science and Technology. Beyond the university, he is engaged in multiple roles connected to secondary education and is also actively involved in the ChipTech Talent programme (reinforcement plan ‘Beethoven’).
4TU+.CEE is the national cross-institutional platform and community for university teachers, educational leaders, and engineering education researchers who are engaged with questions and ambitions in engineering education. Its mission is to collectively inspire, stimulate, support, and disseminate pedagogically innovative, evidence-informed, and effective practices in engineering education. In doing so, 4TU+.CEE aims to [i] prepare students for future challenges and their diverse roles in society, and [ii] empower university teachers and educational leaders to design and deliver high-quality, forward-looking education. In the coming strategic period 2027-2030, 4TU+.CEE activities are organized within four interconnected themes: ‘society in transition’, ‘digital learning’, ‘professional identity’ and ‘teaching culture’. Across these themes, the focus is on shaping the future of engineering education through a coherent emphasis on students, learning environment and educators.
