To make a societal impact as a fourth-generation university, we need to expand our focus from undergraduate and graduate education to lifelong learning (LLL) offerings.
Our vision is that these offerings will need to be shaped in close collaboration between all relevant stakeholders to be effective and to operate at a pace aligned with technological developments.
We see it as our mission to develop and maintain a sustainable and competitive program for lifelong learning. Such a program will encompass many familiar forms of teaching yet also has a strong innovation pillar in which we explore new teaching and learning formats. To accomplish this mission, we developed four criteria for LLL at our university.
With this webpage, we would like to inform the internal UT community about the progress but also invite UT members to think along.
Get to know the LLL Key Teams
The University of Twente considers it its responsibility to support professionals and their organisations through attractive, demand-driven, and impact-oriented lifelong learning (LLL) offerings. Through the national LLL Catalyst Grant – Building Block 3, issued by DUS-I, the university has received funding to further professionalise its lifelong learning (LLL) organisation from October 2024 through October 2026.
During this two-year period, the UT aims to enhance its LLL organisation through the following focus areas:
Work Package 1: System and Process Development
Development of the necessary systems and processes to facilitate a wide variety of LLLactivities (goal: implementing IT systems)
- Inventory and analysis of various LLL formats and the supporting systems and processes;
- Needs analysis for information and support across different processes and LLL formats;
- Design of a proposal for central process organisation;
Work Package 2: Expertise Development
Development of required expertise for the four LLL phases: development, design, delivery, and evaluation
- Inventory of available expertise and formation of communities of experts and experienced practitioners for each phase;
- Creation of support tools for professional development;
- Establishment of an on-demand support structure;
Work Package 3: Organisational Integration
Embedding the above within the organisation through a one-stop-shop model in the form of a Virtual Centre for LLO Expertise & Support, ensuring lifelong learning becomes a core activity of the UT, closely linked to initial education, research, and valorisation efforts.
These work packages contribute to UT’s ambition to become a leading player in the lifelong learning landscape, with education tailored to the evolving needs of the labour market and society.
About the Expertise Team
The Expertise Team contributes to Work Package 2: developing the expertise required for the four phases of lifelong learning – development, design, delivery, and evaluation.
About the Programme Management Team
The Programme Management Team (PMT) consists of the project leads for each of the work packages, with Marike Poldervaart and Laurette van der Woning serving as programme leads.
Role of LLL Faculty Coordinators
The LLL Faculty Coordinators serve as contact points for new LLO initiatives and coordinate activities within and across faculties. They operate on behalf of the Faculty Boards, in alignment with the Programme Management Team.
Role of the Steering Committee
To safeguard UT-wide support structures during the project period, a Steering Committee has been appointed.
The committee is responsible for:
- Decision-making related to all aspects of the subsidy project;
- Approval of project outcomes;
- Adjusting project execution and funding distribution, if necessary;
- Ensuring quality, progress, and sustainability of the activities;
LifeLong Learning CAFES
We frequently arrange LLL cafes, and informal gatherings open to all UT members engaged in or interested in Lifelong Learning. These cafes serve as a platform to foster connections and learn from one another by engaging in casual discussions, exchanging experiences, and addressing LLL topics. Building relationships and collaborative learning are key objectives of these meetings.
Want to know more about the LLL Cafes?
Stay updated on the latest developments regarding Lifelong Learning at the University of Twente by joining the Lifelong Learning UT Teams channel with the code: w72op2e, or simply click the button below.
Why Lifelong Learning at UT?
The 21st century is characterised by revolutionary technological developments and solutions. These developments imply a need to reskill and upskill the workforce. The UT is in a good position to offer high-quality training for a qualified workplace. The UT has committed itself to strengthening its focus on societal impact and on addressing societal challenges in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.