‘Committing four years to one topic seemed like a very long time’

Students or researchers? PhD and EngD candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Dieuwertje Alblas from Mathematics of Imaging & AI chair.

‘Women are a force of change’

It took a near-death experience for Christy Aikhorin to fully realise her passion. After her ‘beautiful crisis’, the UT alumna stopped a successful career as a chemical engineer and project manager and, instead, started focusing on sustainability and gender equality. She is now the Netherlands’ director of ‘Women Engage for a Common Future’ (WECF), an international NGO dedicated to a gender just and healthy planet.

‘Vrouwen zijn een bron van kracht voor verandering’

Na haar bijna-doodervaring besefte Christy Aikhorin pas echt waar haar passie lag. De UT-alumna besloot haar succesvolle carrière als chemisch ingenieur en projectmanager op te geven en zich te richten op duurzaamheid en gendergelijkheid. Nu is ze directeur Nederland van ‘Women Engage for a Common Future’ (WECF), een ngo (internationale organisatie zonder winstdoel) die zich inzet voor gendergelijkheid en een gezonde leefomgeving.

COVID-19 research: From the lab to the clinic

As has become traditional in the latest years, the autumn brings the fear of another COVID-19 wave. In spring 2020, many UT scientists dropped their usual research to focus on coronavirus related projects. Have their solutions made it to practice or did they not leave the lab (yet)?

‘I will do my best to give back’

Tekie Leonida (72) arrived at the UT in 2015 after many years of hardship. A refugee at the time, he received help from the Scholars at Risk network, and was once again able to do what he loves – to teach. And although he retired last month, he plans to keep working. ‘I don’t know how else to reciprocate the kindness of the people at the university.’

‘Ik ga mijn best doen om iets terug te geven’

Tekie Leonida (72) belandde in 2015 na jarenlange tegenspoed op de UT. Als vluchteling kreeg hij destijds hulp van het Scholars at Risk-netwerk en kon hij weer doen waar hij van houdt: lesgeven. En hoewel hij vorige maand met pensioen ging, is hij van plan te blijven werken. ‘Ik weet niet hoe ik anders de vriendelijkheid van de mensen op de universiteit kan beantwoorden.’

‘It’s a great opportunity to focus on something so deeply’

Students or researchers? PhD and EngD candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Anurag Kulshrestha from the department of Earth Observation Science.

International PhD candidate speaks up about exclusion and discrimination

'They talk of an inclusive and international university, but that is not the reality I have experienced'

After a recent traumatic event, Rupsa Basu, PhD candidate at the University of Twente, decided to speak up about exclusion and discrimination that she has experienced on campus and beyond. Here is her story, in her own words. ‘I know other international PhDs have similar experiences but they are afraid to speak up.’

Op pad met hoofd beveiliging Benno Kiers

‘Het mag wel iets minder direct, krijg ik regelmatig te horen’

Als oud-militair is het ‘ja-maar’ van studenten soms lastig voor Benno Kiers (48). Toch voelt het hoofd beveiliging zich al tien jaar thuis op de UT. ‘Mensen letten hier op elkaar. Dat merkte ik toen ik ziek thuis kwam te zitten.’

Out on patrol with Head of Security, Benno Kiers

‘I'm often told that I could be a little less direct’

As a military veteran, the ‘yeah, but...’ response that you often hear from students can be a challenge for Benno Kiers (48). That said, the Head of Security has felt at home at the UT for ten years now. ‘People look out for each other here. This was something I noticed when I fell ill and had to stay home.’

Afscheidsinterview met Peter-Paul Verbeek

‘Het voelt haast als ontrouw om de UT te verlaten’

Na vijfendertig jaar neemt universiteitshoogleraar Peter-Paul Verbeek met pijn in het hart afscheid van de UT. ‘Het rectoraat aan de UvA was een ‘offer you can't refuse’.’

Farewell interview with Peter-Paul Verbeek

‘It almost feels like disloyalty to leave the UT’

After thirty-five years, it is with pain in his heart that university professor Peter-Paul Verbeek bids farewell to the UT. ‘The position of rector at the UvA was an offer you can't refuse.’

‘I didn’t expect it to be so emotionally difficult’

Students or researchers? PhD and PDEng candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Monica Pena Acosta from Construction Management & Engineering group.

Van vmbo naar een goedgekeurd proefschrift: ‘Wist niet eens wat een PhD was’

Het proefschrift van Frances Wijnen werd deze maand goedgekeurd. Eind oktober mag ze haar werk verdedigen. Dat doet ze met trots, want de route die ze aflegde was lang en steil. Een verhaal over doorzettingsvermogen, leren te leren en vooroordelen over onderwijsniveaus.

Interview Peter Smits, nieuwe directeur CFM

‘Facilitaire dienstverlening zit in mijn DNA’

Peter Smits (49) begon ruim anderhalve maand geleden als nieuwe directeur van de dienst Campus & Facility Management op de UT. ‘Toen ik de vacature zag, zei ik tegen mijn vrouw: ik heb mijn droombaan gevonden.’

PhD Stories: Nienke van Dongen

‘It has been a rollercoaster but I’ve enjoyed the ride’

Students or researchers? PhD and PDEng candidates fall into a category of their own. What is it like to navigate the sometimes lonely road towards a doctoral degree? In this monthly series, we put young academics of the University of Twente in the limelight. This episode gives the stage to Nienke van Dongen from the BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip chair.

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