On 31 July 2018, Wilma Kippers passed away while on holiday following a serious traffic accident. Wilma worked in ELAN, the Department of Teacher Development within the BMS Faculty at the University of Twente. She was just 26 years old.
After completing her Master’s degree in Educational Science and Technology in 2014, Wilma first worked as a junior researcher before embarking on her PhD thesis on formative assessment and the use of data. Her thesis defence ceremony was scheduled for 28 November 2018. Since the start of this year, Wilma was also working on the European Formas project, conducting research into the effects of a formative evaluation intervention.
As well as being a talented researcher, Wilma was first and foremost a teacher and relished that aspect of her job. Before arriving at the University of Twente, she had completed academic primary school teacher training and her passion for teaching came together in her research into and teaching about formative assessment. She was a lecturer on the UT honours programme and contributed to various teacher training programmes as a guest lecturer. Wilma loved working with colleagues to improve education.
Wilma was an extremely likeable, positive colleague who was always organized and working systematically and enthusiastically. She enjoyed her life and had numerous plans for the future.
We were stunned to hear of her death and will miss her terribly. We would like to wish her parents, sisters, brother, brothers-in-law, boyfriend and wider family our sincere condolences in the face of this tragic loss.
In order to enable you to express your sympathy, a book of condolence will be available from Monday 6 August in the Ravelijn building.
On behalf of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences,
Adrie Visscher, Chair of the ELAN Department
Theo Toonen, Dean, on behalf of the BMS Faculty Board
