Why Lifelong Learning at the University of Twente?
The 21st century is defined by rapid and revolutionary technological developments that require continuous upskilling and reskilling of the workforce. The UT is uniquely positioned to offer high-quality education that supports a qualified and future-ready professional population. In line with its strategic vision, the UT is committed to increasing societal impact and addressing pressing challenges in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Our vision for lifelong learning (LLL) is rooted in the belief that effective offerings must be co-developed with stakeholders and evolve at a pace that matches technological progress. We see it as our mission to build and sustain a competitive and future-proof LLL portfolio. This portfolio will include familiar forms of education while also embracing innovation through new teaching and learning formats.
What to deliver?
With support from the national LLL Catalyst Grant – Building Block 3, issued by DUS-I, the UT has received funding to further professionalise its LLL organisation between October 2024 and October 2026. Under the leadership of Marike Poldervaart and Laurette van der Woning, the UT will focus on strengthening its LLL portfolio and support organisation.
Through this initiative, we also aim to engage the internal UT community by keeping them informed of our progress and inviting them to contribute ideas and perspectives as we shape the future of lifelong learning together.
These work packages contribute to UT’s ambition to become a leading player in the LLL landscape, with offerings tailored to the evolving needs of the labour market and society. With this webpage, we would like to inform the internal UT community about the progress but also invite UT members to think along.
The Expertise Team contributes to Work Package 2: developing the expertise required for the four phases of lifelong learning – development, design, delivery, and evaluation.
The Programme Management Team (PMT) consists of the project leads for each of the work packages, with Marike Poldervaart and Laurette van der Woning as programme leads.
The LLL Faculty Coordinators serve as contact points for new LLL initiatives and coordinate activities within and across faculties. They operate on behalf of the Faculty Boards, in alignment with the Programme Management Team.
To safeguard UT-wide support structures during the project period, a Steering Committee has been appointed.
The committee is responsible for:
- Decision-making related to all aspects of the subsidy project;
- Approval of project outcomes;
- Adjusting project execution and funding distribution, if necessary;
- Ensuring quality, progress, and sustainability of the activities;
This committee was established to safeguard the quality of the LLL offerings and to evaluate applications for micro-credentials. With this initiative, the UT reinforces its commitment to providing a relevant and high-quality LLL portfolio.
LifeLong Learning CAFES
We frequently arrange LLL cafes, and informal gatherings open to all UT members engaged in or interested in Lifelong Learning. These cafes serve as a platform to foster connections and learn from one another by engaging in casual discussions, exchanging experiences, and addressing LLL topics. Building relationships and collaborative learning are key objectives of these meetings.
Want to know more about the LLL?
Stay updated on the latest developments regarding Lifelong Learning at the University of Twente by joining the Lifelong Learning UT Teams channel with the code: w72op2e, or simply click the button below.