For Janneke Alers, nominated by study association Paradoks, it is not her first final. She was also a finalist in 2016 and 2013, but then missed out on the main prize by a tiny margin.
Jasper de Jong and Tom van Dijk make their debut in the final. Mathematics study association Abacus nominated De Jong, who started his own YouTube series last winter to unmask the ‘mole’ with the help of mathematical formulas in the Dutch TV program 'Wie is de Mol?'.
Tom Van Dijk was nominated by computer science study association Inter-Actief. He studied and obtained his PhD at the UT and has been an assistant professor in the Formal Methods and Tools department since 2019.
The set-up of the event is no different from previous years; finalists each give a mini-lecture during the final, followed by a round of questions. Subsequently, public votes and a jury determine who may call themselves 'teacher of the year'. This title comes with a certificate and participation in the national election. Previously, a cash prize of €2,500 was attached to the title, which is no longer the case this year. The current title holder is civil engineering teacher Erik Horstman.
Education week
The final battle for the Central Education Prize is part of the UT-wide Week of Education, which takes place between 19 and 22 May. This second edition includes faculty afternoons, workshops on the use of video and generative AI, and a Lifelong Learning Café. In addition to the Central Education Award, the Brinksma Innovation Grant for educational innovation will also be awarded.
