Latest stories
science Chip TechnologyWhy light in churches looks magical, and its connection with chipsWalk into a church on a clear day, and you can feel the light change. Reds seem to glow from within, yellows land softly on stone, blues deepen the air. It looks like pure artistry, but a lot of that effect comes from something the makers never saw directly: nanoscale structure inside the glass. Himadri Sahoo, a postdoctoral researcher in the Adaptive Quantum Optics group, takes us from coloured church windows to modern photonic chips, showing how old ideas about light are still used in cutting-edge research.
student Student lifeLooking for fun Christmas dinner traditions? Here’s some inspiration from studentsAhh, Christmas dinner. For people who celebrate Christmas it’s usually a universal experience of eating too much, chaotic conversations, the occasional spilling of beverages and well, just being together with your dear ones. Luckily, in your student house, you get to celebrate it exactly the way you like. We asked you, UT students, about your weird, cute or simply funny Christmas dinner traditions, and you definitely delivered.
student CareerMonitoring infrastructure from space: how Nikhil went from India to launching a career in the NetherlandsSatellites are often associated with space agencies, GPS tracking, weather forecasting or climate research. But the applications of satellite data reach far beyond what most people expect. For Nikhil Sakpal, satellite imagery became the foundation of his career, in which he focuses on monitoring and protecting vital infrastructure – from railway corridors to oil and gas pipelines. Find out how his path led him from India to the University of Twente in the Netherlands and ultimately to his career at ROSEN, a global technology company focused on infrastructure safety.
student Student life
Wintery holiday destinations for students
As I’m writing this now, the chill has set in, the days have become shorter, and the pull of winter break has become irresistible. Think about it: you’re a university student, and your weekdays are dedicated to school and studying, basically a full-time job already. Would you not also grasp at the lure of the winter break, with endless possibilities and destinations? Although I am by no means a travel blogger, here are some fun, wintery destinations that might interest you students looking for an affordable getaway.
Science Stories
science ClimateTwente clay captures CO₂ from biogasHow can CO₂ be captured without complex installations or high energy costs? A research team in Twente discovered that the answer was literally beneath our feet: clay. From that insight emerged CarbSorbTec, a University of Twente spin-off that uses a special clay material to remove CO₂ from biogas.
science ClimateHow do we design cities that protect us?Two crises converge in the urban environment: the climate crisis and the crisis of mental health. Design expert Thomas van Rompay conducts research in the field of planetary health. “I want us to design cities where greenery not only cools the environment, but also calms the mind.”
science TechnologyHow do smart cars react so quickly?Imagine you are sitting in a self-driving car. Suddenly, someone runs across the street. In a fraction of a second, the car decides to brake. How does it do that so quickly? And could it do so even faster or with less energy, especially now that self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles rely heavily on cameras, smart sensors and AI systems?
science Chip TechnologyHow secure is our future in an era of global tensions?As a small country, the Netherlands has historically always opened itself up to the rest of the world. In that respect, we are living in turbulent times. Trade wars between the United States, the European Union and China are creating uncertainty in both financial and goods markets. The war in Ukraine has exposed the fragility of our global supply chains. And the conflict in Gaza has revealed deep divisions within Europe. What lies ahead for the Netherlands in the coming years? We discuss the current state of affairs and the geopolitical future with Melle Scholten, political economist affiliated with the Public Administration programme at the University of Twente.
science DigitalisationWhy does ChatGPT write terrible Secret Santa poems?Imagine: it’s Secret Santa night. You nervously tap on your phone and ask ChatGPT to whip up a quick poem. The result is… um, well… not exactly gift-worthy. Why are AI models such as ChatGPT often unable to rhyme properly? Thijs van Ede, AI researcher at the University of Twente, knows why and explains AI and rhyming.
Student Stories
student Student lifeCooking at Christmas: which worldly classic will you serve?Christmas is that magical time of year when cosiness and delicious food go hand in hand. Whether you go for a culinary masterpiece or love simple, homely bites, people across the globe celebrate Christmas in unique and surprising ways. From flavour-packed Mexican Romeritos to the typically Dutch gourmet feast – in this blog, discover five traditional dishes from different countries. Add an international twist to your Christmas and bring that worldly holiday vibe to your student house!
student Student tipsHow to cosy up your student roomAt university, you will spend quite some time in your student room. It’s a place to relax, do your university work, and hang out with your friends, so it’s a good idea to personalise it and make it ‘you’. Decorating it and making it cosy and comfortable is one of the best ways to combat homesickness and feel at home straight away in this new place, far away from your friends and family. In this article, I’ll give you some tips on how to get started!
student Student lifeHobbies that match your study programmeAs a university student, you’re always on the lookout for the next big thing to keep you from boredom: a new game, a new show, or even a new place to study. However, if you want to look even deeper, it might be a good idea to consider new hobbies – ones that tie in to what you’re studying, and could be used to build up the skills that university teaches you.
student GraduatesFrom student to alderman: “I ensure political decisions reflect residents’ needs.”Jaimi is an alderman at the municipality of Deventer. He completed the Master’s in European Studies at the University of Twente.
student CareerLinkedIn 101: how to build a strong profile!Alright, so you've finally decided to create a LinkedIn profile. Or maybe it's time for an update. Either way—nice move! LinkedIn is the place to grow your professional network and get noticed by future employers or internship companies. But how do you make sure your profile looks professional and well put together—like you've got everything under control (even if it doesn’t always feel that way)? No worries, here’s the ultimate LinkedIn guide for you!