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student Student life10 things you can do instead of being on your phoneDid you know that you spend an average of six (!) years of your life on your phone? Let that sink in for a moment... Simply putting your phone away is easier said than done, though. Because let's be honest, when you're tired, lying on the sofa in the evening, or you have no clue what to do on your afternoon off, doomscrolling is a very tempting option! Yet there are so many fun alternatives you can do instead of staring at your phone. Here are 10 ideas!
student MasterClean cooking in Madagascar: Mechanical Engineering student Gabe-Jan developed a solutionSustainable and safe cooking is far from a given everywhere in the world. In Madagascar, for example, the vast majority of the population cooks using wood or charcoal, which can cause lung problems, among other health issues. During his graduation project, Gabe-Jan, now an alumnus of the Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, helped develop an alternative. He designed a sustainable and safe solution based on solar energy and thermal storage.
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 studied brain signals that could help doctors better predict recovery and organise aftercare more effectively.
student Student life
5 unconventional sports YOU want to try at UT!
We're fresh into the new year, and that can only mean one thing... failed New Year's Resolutions. Where on the 1st of January, exercising more seemed such a good prospect, motivation is now nowhere to be found. Do you also dread making yet another trip to the gym or the football pitch? Then try one of the rather unconventional sports the University of Twente has to offer instead!
Science Stories
science TechnologyFrom whisky to sick chickens: this electronic nose smells what you can’tAn electronic nose that can tell different whiskies apart? It might sound like a joke, but behind the idea lies a serious technology with significant impact. Dr Ir Sissi de Beer, scientist and programme director of Applied Physics at the University of Twente, is developing a portable sensor that, much like the human nose, can recognise scents. Handy at a whisky tasting, perhaps, but primarily intended to help farmers detect diseases in their livestock at an early stage — even before a vet would notice.
science ClimateCitizen science in the treetopsAt sunrise, deep in Ghana’s tropical forest, a camera 40 metres above ground wakes up. It captures a treetop bursting into bloom, or not... A small detail in a vast green landscape, but one that holds a crucial clue to understanding how our climate is changing.
science HealthCarbide shooting or fireworks: Which packs the safest punch?New Year’s Eve, loud bangs from milk churns in the meadow, a mug of hot chocolate in hand: a true Twente tradition. In several regions, carbide shooting is firmly rooted in the turn-of-the-year celebrations, complete with clear safety regulations to keep the custom both enjoyable and secure. Will carbide shooting gain popularity now that private fireworks will be banned from 2026? And is it actually safer?
science HealthHow do weak electric fields affect deep brain stimulation?Researcher Bettina Schwab was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in September 2023 for her research on deep brain stimulation. With her project ‘DECODE’ she investigates the influence of this unexplored factor of deep brain stimulation: weak electric fields.
science HealthBeyond borders: this is the future of specialist careEnsuring access to specialist care at peak periods is challenging, especially in sparsely populated areas with fewer available healthcare specialists. Project BRIDGE tries to tackle this issue in an unconventional way: hospitals in the German-Dutch border region are joining forces to share healthcare personnel. As simple as this sounds, is it so in practice?
Student Stories
student Student tipsGrocery shopping with a student budget? Here are my tipsLife isn’t the easiest when you’re a student. You’re just starting out with life, after all, and most of the time you have no idea what you’re doing. Luckily, we’ve written a couple of articles on how you can best manage life’s essentials, such as cooking, studying, and travelling. However, have you ever come out of the grocery store, looked at your receipt, and thought, ‘Damn, why is this so expensive?’ Hopefully, these grocery tips will help you stick to your budget!
student Personal developmentFive ways to develop yourself next to your studyDeveloping yourself outside your studies is never a bad idea. It provides opportunities to grow, develop new skills, participate in interesting activities and meet exciting people. At the University of Twente, there are several ways to improve your skills, and if you’re looking for a challenge, then these opportunities might just be for you. With insights from Tymur and Jakub over at the UT Journeys podcast, we've compiled five unique opportunities to further develop yourself during your time as a student.
student Personal developmentStudent, strategist and leader: Daan and Daan on Solar Team TwenteThey’re both called Daan, both studied Mechanical Engineering in Amsterdam and Enschede, and each chose, independently, to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Twente. Coincidence or not, they also applied separately to join Solar Team Twente. By now, they’re not just fellow students but also former teammates and active mentors of one of UT’s most renowned student teams. “We wanted to do something you simply can’t learn anywhere else.”
student ExperiencesMaarten studies the Master’s in Industrial Design Engineering: "I close the gap between technical product development and marketing."How can you turn an innovative idea into a practical, market-ready solution? That’s what you’ll learn in the Master’s in Industrial Design Engineering at the University of Twente. Student Maarten explains: “You learn to make an impact by creating products that improve everyday life and contribute to sustainable practices.”
student EnschedeTwents 101: 17 expressions and words every student in Enschede should know!Studying in Enschede means a new study, a new city, and, for most students, a new language and dialect: Twents! While you might think Dutch is already hard to understand, understanding Twents dialect with its own words and expressions is even more challenging. Don't worry, with this guide you will soon realise what the local 'Tukkers' mean and be able to impress them in a conversation.