The University of Twente strives to create a safe learning and working environment for all. An environment where everyone can feel at home and has equal opportunities to develop their full potential. We aim to foster a diverse, open-minded and inspiring community, by building a strong inclusive culture at our university. We want to create common ground and shared responsibility. We encourage everyone to embrace DE&I as more than just a mere label. Instead, consider them as strong core values that guide how we live, work, and learn together every day. This responsibility belongs to all of us.
Find out what you can do and be open to receiving help, guidance, and inspiration. In our action plans, you can read about what we are working on, how we are doing it, and why we are doing it. You will likely find a lot of inspiration there!
UT's dIVERSITY, eQUITY & Inclusion (DE&I) Team
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Team and all committed individuals, teams and networks are here to support, raise awareness, guide and inspire. Get in touch with the members of DE&I Team or visit UT's website on DE&I.
Final Report SEG Inclusion
The mandate of Shaping Expert Group (SEG) Inclusion has finished. The SEG Inclusion's final report containing the outcomes of the round tables and interviews, and presenting conclusions and recommendations for the UT organisation can be read on the website of the SEG Inclusion.
- 15 Sep, 2023Diversity Day: working together on DE&I and social safety. Will you be there?
- 26 Jul, 2023Dr. Linn Leppert published article on diversity and inclusion in the academic world
Dr. Linn Lippert, Associate Professor of Computaional Chemical Physics (Faculty of Science & Technology), published an article on the results of a panel discussion she carried out about the need for an inclusive and a representative academic environment. Read the Faculty's news item on the interesting outcomes of this panel discussion.
- 13 Jul, 2023Municipality of Enschede, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and University of Twente organise Keti Koti Table
The National Slavery Commemoration during Keti Koti (roughly translated: 'the chains are broken') on 1 July this year, was the starting point of the National Slavery Memorial Year in the Netherlands. The Memorial Year focuses special attention on the past of Dutch slavery and its consequences. How do they affect our lives in the here and now? In the Twente region, we also feel it as important to reflect on these consequences. We will be doing so with various activities throughout the year and will start on 28 September. Then, the Municipality of Enschede, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente will jointly organise a Keti Koti Table in Enschede's city hall.
- 5 Jul, 2023Beyond the label: normalising diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I)
When principles of DE&I are normalised as being one of UT’s core values, they become part of our everyday conversations, interactions, and ways of working, rather than an exception, a mere label or an afterthought. Normalising DE&I is crucial for a more equitable, socially safe and just learning, working, and living environment for all at our university and on our campus. Are you interested to learn how UT is working steadily to integrate DE&I into our day-to-day practice? Then keep reading!
- 13 Sep, 2022Save the date: Diversity Week starts on 3 October 2022
On 3 October 2022, is the day! The second edition of the Diversity Week is about to begin. This year again, we will again bring you an inspiring, informative and engaging programme, packed with workshops, presentations and gatherings. Getting interested? Keep reading!
- 19 May, 2022Incentive Fund is open again!
The Incentive Fund is open again! Are you a UT student or employee? Submit your proposal for greater diversity, equity and inclusion at UT by 17 June 2022 at the latest. Quickly read on to learn more about all the possibilities and what the requirements are.
- 8 Mar, 2022International Women's Day 2022 at UT | #BreakTheBias
International Women's Day is celebrated every year on 8 March. This year again, we will be celebrating this day with attention. For UT, International Women's Day is an opportunity to put our female students and staff in the spotlights, to encourage them to keep going and, importantly, to recognise and reflect on the challenges and difficulties women - and all those who identify their gender as female - encounter when studying and working in academia.
- 30 Nov, 2021UT publishes first Gender Equality Plan
We are glad to announce that today, UT’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Team published our Gender Equality Plan (GEP). As of January 2022, all academics working at a European university and applying for grants under the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme must be able to prove their institution has set up a GEP. This first version of the GEP is a valuable opportunity for us to consider all we have done, are currently working on and can and should additionally work on to advance gender equality (i.e. proper representation of women) in research and innovation projects.
- 15 Oct, 2021This was our first Diversity Week!
You hardly could have missed it: last week was Diversity Week at UT. It was an action packed week. The primary purpose of this week and the programme offered was to raise awareness. What do you think about diversity? When do you feel at home and safe at UT, and when do you feel that you are being seen, heard, valued and respected? Can you fully express yourself and can you freely say what is important to you? Or do you - intentionally or unconsciously - still face prejudices or beliefs coming from yourself or other people, hindering you to be your authentic self and do what you want to do and are capable of?
- 7 Oct, 2021UT signs UN Declaration of Intent for studying with a disability
On Thursday 7 October, Machteld Roos signed the declaration of intent for the UN Treaty on behalf of the Executive Board of the University of Twente. With this signature, the university promises to create an inclusive learning environment in which every student can take part in education and feel welcome.
- 24 Sep, 2021Our first Diversity Week starts on 4 October 2021!
From 4 till 8 October UT will fully dedicate itself to the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. On Tuesday 5 October the Netherlands will be celebrating National Diversity Day. On this day companies and institutions are encouraged to organise activities to create awareness about diversity and inclusion. UT will also be actively participating by organising activities for and with employees and students on this day – and throughout the week. You are cordially invited to join!
- 19 Apr, 2021Share your proposal for a more inclusive UT!
Do you have an innovative idea for how to strengthen and secure diversity and inclusion amongst the community, including its employees in our organisation? Then the UT Incentive fund is now open for your proposal until 11 June.
- 2 Feb, 2021UT to get diversity artwork
A diversity artwork, as a counterpart to the existing portraits of former rectors. The work of art should be on show in the Waaier by the end of this year. 'Everyone needs a role model', says initiator Anouk Geenen. (Source: U-Today)
- 26 Jan, 2021The story of Sterre’s voice of inclusion
Sterre Mkatini wanders the campus as a roving reporter. Well, digitally for now, but the diversity officer is fine with that. More inclusion at the UT? Leave that to this third culture kid. Today Sterre is interviewing Marion Kamp, the experienced Management portfolio holder. She, too, likes giving other people a platform. And the women share another interesting characteristic: ‘When your appearance doesn’t match your inner self, people approach you differently from how you feel.’
- 21 Jan, 2021‘We need to become aware of injustice’
‘The main goal is to expand our knowledge on issues related to diversity and inclusion,’ say founders of UT initiative ‘Dialogical spaces for a diverse university’. They are organizing eight online sessions, with the first one held today, as well as producing a podcast series focused on diversity and inclusion at the UT. (Source: U-Today)
- 17 Dec, 2020Diversity at the university: ‘Without hard data we'll never get there’
‘More diversity?’ In academic circles this phrase often still means ‘more women’, says Saskia Bonjour, political scientist and member of The Young Academy. Too little is being done for other target groups. (Source: U-today)
- 15 Dec, 2020Diversity welcome?
Lisa Waldera (25) is a master’s student Communication Studies from Bremen, Germany. For three years now, she’s been living on campus. Next to her study, she regularly visits the cinema and enjoys concerts of all music genres. Every other week she writes about her life at the University of Twente. (Source: U-Today)
- 10 Dec, 2020Zeven UT-projecten krijgen geld uit Incentive Fund
Een diversiteitsweek, een diversiteitsworkshop voor eerstejaars Civil Engineering en een anti-racismetraining. Het is een greep uit de zeven gehonoreerde projecten vanuit het Incentive Fund, bedoeld om initiatieven op het gebied van diversiteit en inclusie te ontplooien binnen de UT. (Source: U-Today)
- 3 Dec, 2020Dutch House votes down diversity plans for higher education
There will be no ‘diversity barometer’ in higher education and research and no ‘diversity police’ patrolling campuses, if the Dutch of House of Representatives has its way. (Source: U-Today)
- 3 Dec, 2020‘Diversity is the theme of my life’
‘I’m a woman, I’m brown, I’m often the minority,’ says Sterre Mkatini, the new Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the UT. ‘But’, she adds, she is not here to be a poster child for diversity.’ I’m here to work on a more diverse and inclusive environment for everyone.’ (Source: U-Today)
- 5 Oct, 2020University of Twente, Saxion and ROC of Twente join forces to create an LGBTI+ inclusive community
The LGBTI+ working groups at the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and ROC of Twente are working together to ensure that everyone who goes to school in Twente feels included and free to be themselves, out and proud.
- 26 May, 2020UT starts diversity and inclusion office
The UT is planning to set up a central diversity and inclusion office for both students and employees. Starting in September, a diversity officer will be tasked to take the first steps to improve the university’s policy on diversity and inclusion. (Source: U-Today)