Latest stories
science Circular EconomySinteresting: How can Sinterklaas make his steamboat more sustainable?Every year, Sinterklaas travels from Spain to the Netherlands by his trusted steamboat. But such an old boat is, of course, anything but clean. Because Sinterklaas wants to do his bit for a better environment, this year he wants to investigate how he can make his steamboat more sustainable.
student BachelorShorter waiting times in hospitals? Industrial Engineering & Management student Nienke came up with a solutionHow can healthcare be scheduled as efficiently as possible so that shifts are always covered, staff shortages are mitigated, waiting times are reduced, and healthcare workers do not become overloaded? Nienke, Industrial Engineering & Management student at the University of Twente, came up with an answer to that question. In her graduation project at Gelre Ziekenhuizen in Apeldoorn and Zutphen, she developed a mathematical model that can generate a hospital roster - normally four days of work - in just 15 seconds.
science DigitalisationSinteresting: How can Sinterklaas find the fastest route through the Netherlands?Every year, Sinterklaas and his Pieten travel across the entire country to deliver presents. But last year, things did not go quite as planned. To keep an overview, Sinterklaas decided to visit all cities in alphabetical order. It sounded logical, but somewhere around the letter P he was already hopelessly behind schedule. Time was running out, and the route became increasingly illogical.
student Internationals
A guide to Dutch culture
As a Dutch girl who has lived in the Netherlands her entire life, I find our culture and habits nothing special. However, while studying at the University of Twente and meeting people from all over the world, I soon realised how Dutch culture sometimes differs from other cultures. From our daily routines to our deeply rooted traits, here’s a guide to navigating life in the Netherlands!
Science Stories
science DigitalisationHow Big Tech is weaponising public opinionPropaganda used to be distributed through leaflets or broadcast over the radio. Today, it reaches us with a click on our smartphones, and it is tailored to our preferences. The way we consume information has changed - and with it, the way we form our beliefs about political and social institutions. Assistant professor Adam Heschke is worried about what comes next.
science TechnologyBuild your own flightradar – Track aircraft live from your backyard!Watching planes move across the world map in real time is fascinating – websites like Flightradar24 make it possible. You can daydream about far-off destinations, check which aircraft are flying over your house, or keep track of whether your friends have landed safely. But how does it actually work? How does a flight radar know exactly where all these planes are?
science HealthBreastfeeding: what do we actually know about it?Babies drink milk, which often comes from the mother's breast. This breastfeeding is important for babies and mothers, but what do we actually know about it? Too little, according to adjunct professor Nienke Bosschaart at the University of Twente. That is why she develops new innovations to be able to look better into the breast.
science Circular EconomyYou have this goldmine lying in your houseEvery old phone in your drawer is more than forgotten tech—it’s a treasure chest of critical materials like gold, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Recycling them could save the planet, reduce dependency on China and Congo, and power Europe’s green future. Here’s why your old phone matters.
science DigitalisationThe pollution of our digital worldBitcoin, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other popular blockchain innovations represent our shift to a digital society. But this transition comes at a cost. The emissions generated by these blockchain technologies from the year 2021 alone are responsible for around 19,000 future deaths. This alarming statistic raises many questions: How is this possible and what can we do about it?
Student Stories
student Study tipsHow to survive your group projectGroup projects: you either love them or hate them. Regardless of how you feel, though, there is no escaping them at university. If you’re lucky, you get to pick your own group members. If you’re not, you will be assigned a random group of strangers and have to trust them to do their job properly. Luckily, you don't have to leave the success of your project to fate. These tips will help you make the most out of your group project!
student GraduatesFrom student to biomedical engineer: “I keep hospital equipment safe and reliable.”Ben is a biomedical engineer at the ZGT hospital in Hengelo and Almelo. He completed the Master’s in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Twente.
student EnschedeHotspots in Enschede that every student should knowAs a student in Enschede, there are a couple of places you are guaranteed to visit often. But while it makes sense to older students to meet up at Teletubbieland or go partying at 't Gat, as a new student, you probably have no idea what this is all about. No worries, though – here are the most important hotspots of Enschede you need to know as a (new) student!
student Student lifeMoney, money, (no) money: 8 saving tips for studentsStudent life isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Let's face it - especially regarding finances, there's often room for improvement... In this article, you'll find eight money-saving tips for students, so you won’t have to survive on instant noodles for the rest of the month (yes, we've been there).
student BachelorDoes screen time impact your lifestyle and health? Creative Technology students show you how!Most people know that spending too much time on your phone can negatively affect your mental health. Yet here we are – often chronically online and spending most of our (free) time on screens, with all its consequences. That’s why student Creative Technology Nina and her project group decided to create an interactive installation for people to reflect on their screen time and happiness. In this article, she talks all about their work and its importance in today’s society.