HomeNewsJurnan Schilder shortlisted for teacher of the year
Source: University of the Netherlands

Jurnan Schilder shortlisted for teacher of the year

In 2014, UT lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Jurnan Schilder was awarded as the best teacher at the University of Twente. On Saturday afternoon, 13 April, the Intercity Student Consultative Body (ISO) will announce whether he has been voted national teacher of the year. Schilder is one of four nominees. The ISO organizes this contest to shine a spotlight on inspiring teachers and the teaching profession. Jurnan Schilder spoke about his nomination in a recent interview with U-Today: “Of course, in this final stage feel a little bit like a lottery, but I do see it as recognition of my enthusiasm for the field and for the students.”

The video below reveals Jurnan to be a teacher at the top of his game, still using good old-fashioned chalk and blackboard but knowing exactly how to use them to demystify a difficult subject like mechanics.

Jurnan was initially nominated for the award by students and the University of Twente’s Executive Board. From a long-list of over twenty candidates, a jury then shortlisted four nominees. On 13 April, each of them will give an inspiring mini-lecture on their field in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. The Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven, will be on hand to present the award at this festive occasion.

The winner has the honour of being teacher of the year for the next twelve months, while the institution where they work receives a 25,000-euro grant from the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, which the winner gets to spend on teaching improvements. More information on the award and an impression of previous years can be found on the ISO website.

In addition to Jurnan, Margot Koster (Utrecht University), Calvin Rans (Delft University of Technology) and Bart Rietjens (HAS University of Applied Sciences) are still in the running for the award.

Jurnan Schilder

Jurnan Schilder works as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Twente’s Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). He teaches a range of Bachelor’s and Master’s courses in the field of dynamics and mechanical vibrations. Jurnan is a big roller coaster enthusiast: he has been on no fewer than 500 different white-knuckle rides and often uses them as examples in his lectures. In November 2018, he obtained his PhD on a new numerical method in the field of Flexible Multibody Dynamics and this year, he joined the board of the Young Academy of the University of Twente (JA@UT).

Further details

On Saturday 13 April, the winner of teacher of the year award will be announced at the Media Plaza of the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. You can find more information about the award and the selection process on the ISO website. You can also go to the site to register for the event.

On 25 April, Enschede’s Science Café will celebrate its tenth anniversary. As part of the celebrations, Jurnan Schilder will present the inside track on roller coaster science in Enschede’s very own ‘Rollercoaster Spectacular’. 

drs. M.M.J. van Hillegersberg - Hofmans (Martine)
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