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Independent journalism at the University of Twente
‘A university that is more than just studying’, that is what list leader Luka van Houte of student party De Ambitieuze Student (DAS) hopes to achieve. He is hopeful about the abolition of the binding study advice and argues for more room for personal development.
‘That is a difficult one, because there are several things to mention. If I have to highlight one – something that is already under way – it would be the binding study advice. I am very curious about the research taking place within UT into whether its abolition is possible. If that happens, I think it would benefit many communities at the university. It is good that the importance of more than a degree is mentioned in the university’s strategic plan. But then it also has to be implemented and not remain just words.’
‘I think it is important to first wait for the outcomes of the internal research. What we do clearly see is that the BSA can create a barrier: it can prevent someone in their first year from joining an association, doing committee work, or developing themselves in another way. We certainly do not want to force an active student life on everyone. You should do it if it fits alongside your studies. We think that becoming part of an association or another community can help provide a good start.’
‘UT is still a university of initiatives. If I look, for example, at what RISE (the student team building a rocket, ed.) is doing in the Bastille, or all those other teams, boards and committees, that says something about the sense of community. That is something to cherish and safeguard. Preferably to expand it further. For us, it is very important that when someone comes here to study, they feel at home and can develop themselves. Diversity in opportunities is important for that, and it certainly does not always have to involve an association. If you look at the discussion around the use of student assistants: that too is a way to develop yourself and find your own path. So we would like to see those return in large numbers sooner rather than later.’
‘No evening lectures. We already put a stop to those earlier. Evenings should belong to students. We also contributed to making the Twente Education Model more flexible. And recently, Lukas Binnekamp from our faction reopened the discussion on the BSA towards the Executive Board.’
‘Where UReka places slightly more emphasis on educational quality, for us more than a degree is the core pillar. We want a university that is more than just studying. Do not get me wrong, that should certainly not come at the expense of the quality of education. But we do need to find a balance.
I think it is very positive that a new party has entered the scene. It may mean extra competition, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Student participation – whether in a university council, a faculty council or a programme committee – unfortunately feels like a distant issue for many students. While the policies we discuss and help shape are ultimately felt in lecture halls. I hope that the participation of the new party will boost turnout in the upcoming elections.’
‘Fairly similar to previous years: we are very present on campus and explain who we are, what we do and what we stand for. Above all, we want to encourage students to vote for the party that suits them best.’
‘For me personally, that is not a must. As a party, we present one collective voice: that we are committed to a university that offers broad opportunities for personal development.’
This is the third and final interview in the series in which U-Today spoke to the lead candidates for the University Council elections. Voting will take place from Monday 15 June to Friday 19 June. The results will be announced on Friday afternoon.
‘Een universiteit die meer is dan alleen studeren’, dat hoopt lijsttrekker Luka van Houte van studentenpartij De Ambitieuze Student (DAS) te bereiken. Hij heeft goede hoop op de afschaf van het bindend studieadvies en pleit voor meer ruimte voor persoonlijke ontwikkeling.
‘A university that is more than just studying’, that is what list leader Luka van Houte of student party De Ambitieuze Student (DAS) hopes to achieve. He is hopeful about the abolition of the binding study advice and argues for more room for personal development.
Met zijn nieuwe Studenten Partij Twente wil Marius Busscher de – volgens hem – ingedutte universiteitsraad wakker schudden en concrete punten inbrengen. Hij heeft inmiddels vijftien leden om zich heen verzameld. ‘Niet achteroverleunen.’
With his new party, Student Party Twente, Marius Busscher wants to shake up what he sees as a complacent University Council and put forward concrete proposals. He has already gathered fifteen members around him. ‘We are not here to sit back and do nothing.’
Meer waardering voor extracurriculaire activiteiten en betere begeleiding in het onderwijs: daarvoor pleit UReka-lijsttrekker Tjerk Zweers in aanloop naar de universiteitsraadsverkiezingen. ‘Studenten trekken vaak aan het kortste eind.’
More recognition for extracurricular activities and better support in education: those are the key priorities of UReka lead candidate Tjerk Zweers ahead of the University Council elections. ‘Students often get the short end of the stick.’
Two student parties and one staff party submitted a list of candidates for the University Council elections, which will take place from 10 to 14 June. Students can once again choose between DAS and UReka, while only candidates on behalf of the Campus Coalition are eligible for staff members.
Twee studentenpartijen en één medewerkerspartij dienden een lijst in met kandidaten voor de universiteitsraadsverkiezingen, die van 10 tot 14 juni plaatsvinden. Studenten kunnen opnieuw kiezen tussen DAS en UReka, voor medewerkers staan enkel kandidaten namens Campus Coalitie verkiesbaar.
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This is the sixth edition of ECIU University Magazine. The ECIU University is a massive joint effort of the ECIU member universities and their regional partners. More than a few hundreds of staff members at the member universities and in the regions are collaborating to making the ECIU University a reality. This magazine showcases several activities of ECIU University and the opportunities to engage with the European University.
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