Latest stories
science ClimateHere's how you can turn eco-anxiety into actionYou doom scroll past another wildfire. A melting glacier. You might feel dread, or maybe a hollow kind of sadness. You close the tab, because what can you actually do about it? If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Just like sea levels and temperatures, levels of eco-anxiety are rising globally. This feeling, uncomfortable as it is, might be exactly where meaningful action begins.
science HealthCould one device replace two failing organs?Life-support machines can save your life. But sometimes they can make patients sicker. When doctors use an artificial lung to keep someone alive, the kidneys often also fail. Up to 70% of patients on this treatment develop kidney problems. Could both be solved with the same device?
student InternationalsDebunking myths about studying in the NetherlandsIf you’re choosing the Netherlands as your study destination, you will likely already have a certain image in your head: cycling to your lectures past canals, historic windmills and tulip fields. Okay, perhaps you don’t fall for those clichés that easily, but do you really know what you can expect as a student in the Netherlands? To ensure you’re prepared, let me debunk some of the biggest myths about studying in this small country in Western Europe.
science Technology
How data and algorithms improve performance in professional football
13 January, last 16 of the KNVB Cup. FC Twente are playing away at FC Utrecht. In the 59th minute, Twente are 1-0 down. Something has to change. Van den Brom makes a substitution and brings on Ricky van Wolfswinkel for Sam Lammers. Nine minutes later, it pays off. Van Wolfswinkel scores the equaliser. Late in the match, Mats Rots makes it 1-2 and turns the game around.
Every supporter recognises this moment. A substitution can change the course of a match. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. But what actually happens when a substitute comes on? And can you measure that impact?
Every supporter recognises this moment. A substitution can change the course of a match. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. But what actually happens when a substitute comes on? And can you measure that impact?
Science Stories
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.
science DigitalisationWhat ethical AI in research really meansAs 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 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 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 HealthIntimacy and AI: what can sex robots teach us about human relationships?A partner who always listens, never gets angry and does exactly what you want. What does that mean for how we think about intimacy? PhD researcher Maaike van der Horst investigates at the University of Twente how sex robots and digital AI partners are changing our ideas about relationships, desire and vulnerability.
Student Stories
student Enschede10 fun spring activities for students in EnschedeThe sun has finally come out again, temperatures are rising, and it’s time to dig up your spring clothes! Are you still looking for fun things to do this spring? Here are the 10 best activities for students in and around Enschede!
student Study tipsHelpful tools for writing your thesisWriting your thesis can feel extremely overwhelming. I wouldn’t know, since I haven’t written mine yet, but friends tell me that it’s like juggling a million tasks all at once – reading papers, managing sources, formatting references, and of course, the actual writing. Lucky for you soon-to-be-graduates, there are plenty of tools out there that can make the writing and researching process smoother, helping you level up your work.
student ExperiencesArend studies the Master's in Civil Engineering & Management: “Infrastructure can be better, and I’m learning to improve it.”“I want to come up with solutions that improve society,” says student Arend. “Take climate change: sea level is expected to rise, so we need smart engineering solutions to keep people safe. Whether it's constructing a bridge or a dike, in Civil Engineering & Management I’m learning to solve various infrastructure and water management problems caused by climate change.” In this article, he shares his experience of studying the Master's in Civil Engineering & Management at the University of Twente.
student EnschedeFestivals in Enschede: the complete guideAre you getting ready for the festival season? As a student in Enschede, you don't have to look far, because with many festivals throughout the year, there is always something going on here. Whether you are a music lover, food lover or technology fanatic, these are the festivals in Enschede you shouldn’t miss!
student InternationalsApps to get as an international studentThere are many useful apps that will make your student time in the Netherlands a lot easier. If you’re an international student, it’s reassuring to have something just in reach (like your phone) to make your daily life easier to navigate. Whether you’re a foodie, love to travel, or want to save money, these apps have you covered!