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student Study choiceIt takes two to tango: why combining engineering & social sciences is a great ideaThe University of Twente (UT) is a technical university. That doesn’t mean you can only find engineers walking around campus, though. With a broad selection of bachelor’s and master’s programmes in social sciences as well, studying at UT gives you the best of both worlds. It’s a place where you can build bridges between technology and society – whether you want to dive deep into the world of tech or prefer to explore the human side of it all. Here are three reasons why collaboration between these (what seem to be) polar opposites is actually a great idea!
science ClimateOlympic questions: What makes an ice skating suit faster?Ice skating at speeds exceeding 50 kilometres per hour. How do olympians achieve that top speed on the ice? The push-off is crucial, of course, but did you know that at Olympic speeds, approximately 80 per cent of the opposing force is air resistance? In this episode of Kees Study, I dive into the wind tunnel to discover how aerodynamics can make the difference between silver and gold.
student Student lifePannenkoeken 101: how to make this Dutch delicacy yourself!We all know American pancakes and French crêpes. But have you heard of Dutch pannenkoeken? If not, you are really missing out. Pannenkoeken are easy and cheap to make, you can create endless varieties, and they are quite filling. In other words: the perfect student-proof meal! This is how you make them yourself.
science Digitalisation
What ethical AI in research really means
As AI tools become inseparable from student essays, scientific writing, and data analysis, universities across the globe are scrambling to decide what counts as “ethical use.” Some draw the line at letting tools such as ChatGPT write for you; others simply ask that you be transparent and honest.
Science Stories
science HealthOlympic questions: is data the new doping?With the Olympic Games approaching, wearables are once again in the spotlight. Elite athletes measure everything: heart rate, sleep, recovery and stress. In some cases, this goes so far that sports federations step in, as recently happened with tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, who was no longer allowed to wear a wearable during the Australian Open. One thing is clear: data has become inseparable from elite sport. But what does all this mean for the average athlete, or for the average person in the Netherlands?
science HealthOlympic questions: how safe is the road to gold?No whining, just perform. For many athletes, that's a lesson they learn early on at their sports club. Standards like that travel with them, from youth teams to the Olympic podium. But they also have a downside: an increased risk of physical, psychological and sexual misconduct. The Winter Games show a glorious result. But how safe is the road to get there?
science ClimateNatural ice in decline? Bridges may hold the answerDuring the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, we hope that TeamNL will win a record number of speed‑skating medals. Go Joy, Jutta, Kjeld, Joep, et al.! Yet, ironically, our Dutch champions can rarely train on natural ice in the Netherlands. Quite simply because it is too warm. Professor Mark van der Meijde is determined to keep the tradition of natural ice skating alive in the Netherlands, and he may have found a potential solution. In a rather surprising place: on bridges and flyovers. These can become icy even when temperatures are still just above freezing. How is that possible? And can we use the same effect to get skaters onto the ice sooner?
science HealthCan recovery after cardiac arrest be predicted?After a cardiac arrest, patients and their families enter a period of deep uncertainty. Who will wake up? And what will life look like afterwards? UT PhD researcher Astrid Glimmerveen (TechMed Centre) studied brain signals that could help doctors better predict recovery and organise aftercare more effectively.
science HealthFrom the UT-kitchen: Recipe for mini-heartsEvery recipe website seems convinced that you simply cannot make banana bread without first reliving someone’s traumatic childhood memory. But I’m not here to get sentimental about a fake sob story. I’m using a recipe format for a very simple reason: at the University of Twente, we “bake” mini-hearts in the lab. They squish, they jiggle, they contract. And the steps to make them read surprisingly like a cookbook minus the calories, plus some stem cells and all the fun.
Student Stories
student GraduatesFrom student to geospatial data analyst: “I use spatial data and information systems for better agricultural decisions.”Tracy is a geospatial data analyst at Rabobank, a Dutch cooperative bank. She completed the Master’s in Spatial Systems and Society at the University of Twente.
student Personal developmentCaught in the rain? Student entrepreneurs Nathalie and Miguel got you covered with their shared umbrellasWe’ve all been there: you head out the door, leaving your raincoat and umbrella behind, only to get caught in a downpour. But ending up soaked? That may soon be a thing of the past thanks to Nathalie, a master’s student in Industrial Design Engineering and Industrial Engineering & Management. Together with Miguel, a master’s student in Mechanical Engineering, she founded PLU – a start-up developing machines that provide access to shared umbrellas.
student Study tips11 tips for writing your thesisWriting your thesis: some people look forward to it, others dread it. Either way, if you want to graduate, there is no way around it. Instead of working on a group project in each module, you suddenly find yourself working alone on a research project that lasts several months. No worries, though! These 11 tips will make writing your thesis a lot easier.
student Enschede8 hotspots for lunch in Enschede on a student budgetIn Enschede, you'll find plenty of cosy lunchrooms where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. As students, our budget may not be infinite, but thankfully, going out for lunch does not have to be that expensive. Here are the best places in Enschede where you can enjoy a delicious lunch for under €10.
student Well-beingFailure at uni - and how to overcome itLife has its ups and downs, and it’s no different at university. It’s turbulent at times: exams eat you up, and then suddenly you’re free - unless you failed an exam and need to study for the resit. We’ve all failed before, from exams to personal goals and more. And while it does hurt, you’re not alone: Let me help you out with some tips to get through failure.