Rector Ed Brinksma opened the academic year with a bang when he announced the start of the Twente Graduate School, the UT’s research education flagship.
Prospective Dean Gerard van der Steenhoven was
enthusiastic about the new institute and its international
aspirations: a place where academics and students will challenge
one another to reach the highest
levels.
Unique educational concept
Van der Steenhoven says that his mission
is "to invest in young people and create excellent researchers".
With its university-wide approach, Twente Graduate School (TGS) is
unique in the Netherlands. Faculties and institutes will work
together to turn TGS students into world-class scientists.
Outstanding students can take an integrated master's and PhD
programme. "TGS will give them a chance to deepen and broaden their
knowledge at the same time," says the
prouDean.
Quality - the key to
success
TGS will offer places to students who want
to be researchers. Stringent selection criteria and training
programmes will keep students and staff alert and improve the
education offered. Van der Steenhoven said, "With the Twente
Graduate School, we aim to attract the very best researchers and
talented students from the Netherlands and abroad. First-class
learning on both sides of the lectern and quality as the key to
success."
Entry requirements
Van der Steenhoven is clear about the required aspirations
of the students: "One of the aims of the programme is to fulfill
the urgent need for excellent researchers. So we only want people
who are committed to research. If you plan to enter industry when
you graduate, you would be better off at the School of Engineering.
This is why, at the end of the second year, we reassess whether a
future in research is still your best option. This is followed by a
continuation decision. But there will definitely be opportunities
to transfer to engineering programmes."
Broad programme
The TGS is already offering six top programmes in social
and engineering sciences and more are in the pipeline. All the
programmes meet predetermined high criteria and have
internationally respected professors at the helm.
International recognition
TGS will create excellent researchers who
can choose from a range of options, from a research role at Shell
to a post-doctoral position at a foreign university. Van der
Steenhoven is confident of success: "Our primary aims are to gain
international recognition and to give a quality boost to the
training of research talent."
Looking ahead
Van der Steenhoven expects the Minister of
Education to formulate rigid criteria for all Graduate Schools in
the Netherlands in the near future: "We are well prepared.
Everything is in order and structurally sound. Our pioneering
efforts will give us a head start". Alliances with the business
community are also on the horizon: "Opinion leaders from business
and research communities will critically monitor the development of
TGS in an external advisory council. We will become an incubator
for talented researchers, absolutely essential for the global
challenges of tomorrow."
Visit the Twente
Graduate School website for more information about the
programmes.
