PhD Stories: Alejandro Moya Esteban

‘Doing a PhD made me realize that academia is not a good fit for me’

Students or researchers? PhD candidates fall into a category of their own. In this series, we put doctoral researchers of the University of Twente in the spotlight. This episode gives the stage to Alejandro Moya Esteban from the Neuromechanical Modeling & Engineering Lab.

‘The struggles of our partners also affect our performance at work’

Many internationals at the UT have the same stressor: their spouse is very unhappy in Twente. Two couples share how much the situation of their partners leads to (work) stress – and how the university could help solve the issue. ‘It’s of course not the UT’s responsibility to make the spouse happy, but in the end it does impact the UT.'

‘It’s so much easier to go to work if you love your research project’

Students or researchers? PhD candidates fall into a category of their own. In this series, we put doctoral researchers of the University of Twente in the spotlight. This episode gives the stage to Jeanne Parmentier from the Pervasive Systems group at the UT and the Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Drieluik Engelstaligheid op de UT; aflevering 3

Engelstaligheid: is er nog wel een weg terug?

Formeel is Engels nu vijf jaar de gesproken en geschreven taal op de UT, maar de landelijke politiek zet anno 2023 een tegenbeweging in. In een drieluik reconstrueert U-Today hoe de universiteit in woord en gebaar veranderde van ‘Universiteit Twente’ in ‘University of Twente’. In deel 3: waarom ging de UT zo massaal over op Engelstaligheid? En hoe staan we er anno 2023 voor, nu er opnieuw externe kritiek de kop opsteekt?

Trilogy Anglicisation of the UT; episode 3

English at the UT: is there even a way back?

Formally, English has already been the UT’s spoken and written language for five years, but national politics is creating a counter-movement as of 2023. In a trilogy, U-Today reconstructs how the university changed in word and gesture from 'Universiteit Twente' to 'University of Twente'. In part 3: why did the UT switch completely to English? And where are we in 2023, now that external criticism is emerging again?

Drieluik Engelstaligheid op de UT; aflevering 2

Een juridisch steekspel en laveren tussen het willen en het moeten

Formeel is Engels nu vijf jaar de gesproken en geschreven taal op de UT, maar de landelijke politiek zet anno 2023 een tegenbeweging in. In een drieluik reconstrueert U-Today hoe de universiteit in woord en gebaar veranderde van ‘Universiteit Twente’ in ‘University of Twente’. In deel 2: Hoe de UT-gemeenschap laveert tussen het principiële en het praktische, het willen tegenover het moeten.

Trilogy Anglicisation of the UT; episode 2

A legal battle and navigating between wanting to and needing to

Formally, English has already been the UT’s spoken and written language for five years, but national politics is creating a counter-movement as of 2023. In a trilogy, U-Today reconstructs how the university changed in word and gesture from 'Universiteit Twente' to 'University of Twente'. In part 2: how the UT community is navigating between the principal and the practical, and wanting to as opposed to needing to.

Drieluik Engelstaligheid op de UT; aflevering 1

Overstap naar Engels kwam niet als donderslag bij heldere hemel

Formeel is Engels nu vijf jaar de gesproken en geschreven taal op de UT, maar de landelijke politiek zet anno 2023 een tegenbeweging in. In een drieluik reconstrueert U-Today hoe de universiteit in woord en gebaar veranderde van ‘Universiteit Twente’ in ‘University of Twente’. In deel 1: hoe kwamen de besluiten om over te gaan op het Engels tot stand?

Trilogy Anglicisation of the UT; episode 1

The transition to English did not occur like a bolt from the blue

Formally, English has already been the UT’s spoken and written language for five years, but national politics is creating a counter movement as of 2023. In a trilogy, U-Today reconstructs how the university changed in word and gesture from 'Universiteit Twente' to 'University of Twente'. In part 1: how did the decisions to transition to English come into being?

‘I’ve always felt like we are one big family at ITC’

When Saskia Tempelman started working at ITC in 1977, she planned to stay for six months. Half a year turned into almost half a century, and she is now leaving the university after 45 years of service. ‘The world of ITC is really my world. I found my place here,’ she says in her farewell interview.

‘I love the freedom to shape my process’

Students or researchers? PhD candidates fall into a category of their own. In this series, we put doctoral researchers of the University of Twente in the spotlight. This episode gives the stage to Tessa de Koning Gans from the Photo Catalytic Synthesis group.

Voorzitter klachtencommissie

‘Een oplossing waar beide partijen tevreden mee zijn is altijd het beste'

Ruud Leether is sinds november de nieuwe voorzitter van de klachtencommissie op de UT en constateert ‘dat er veel goed gaat’. Toch waarschuwt hij ook dat we niet moeten doorschieten in een overkill aan regelingen en loketten. ‘Je ziet steeds meer mensen op een rem trappen in normale werkrelaties.’

‘The best solution is always one which satisfies both parties’

Ruud Leether is the new chairman of the UT’s complaints committee since November and observes ‘that a lot of things are going well’. Yet, he also warns against overshooting into an overkill of regulations and counters. ‘You see more and more people rein themselves in within a normal working relationships.’

Discussion about diversity and inclusion at the UT

Lack of commitment and invisible help structure

Eight UT students and employees with different backgrounds came together to discuss their personal experiences with diversity and inclusion on campus. In this two-part story they talk about representation, help structure and lack of UT-wide commitment. In today’s part two: ‘The university should take a firmer stand. These things should not differ so vastly group per group.’

Discussion about diversity and inclusion at the UT

Hidden hierarchy, toxic individuals and role models

Eight UT students and employees with different backgrounds came together to discuss their personal experiences with diversity and inclusion on campus. In this two-part story they talk about hidden hierarchy, toxic individual and dark sides of diversity. In today’s part one: ‘I don’t want to be seen as a representative of a group. I just want to be included as an individual.’

Afscheidsinterview Lisette van Gemert-Pijnen

‘Ik zal me altijd ambassadeur van de UT blijven voelen’

Hoogleraar Lisette van Gemert-Pijnen neemt aanstaande vrijdag met een afscheidssymposium na 37 jaar formeel afscheid van de UT, maar weggaan doet ze allerminst. Dit afscheidsinterview is dan ook niet alleen een blik terug, ook een vooruit. ‘We zouden onze regionale betekenis veel meer moeten opzoeken en benadrukken.’

Farewell interview Lisette van Gemert-Pijnen

‘I will always remain an ambassador for the UT’

Professor Lisette van Gemert-Pijnen will formally give her goodbyes to the UT this Friday with a farewell symposium after 37 years, but she is not leaving by any means. This farewell interview is therefore not only a glimpse of the past, but also a preview of what's to come. ‘We should put more effort into seeking out and emphasise our regional significance.’

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