University of Twente

University of Twente
Universiteit Twente
Former name
 Technische Hogeschool Twente
Motto High Tech, Human Touch
Type Public
Established 1961
Endowment € 304.5 M[1]
Rector Thom Palstra
Administrative staff
 2,602 (2016)
Students 10,026 (2016)[1]
Location Enschede, Netherlands
Affiliations 4TU, CESAER, ECIU, EUA
Website www.utwente.nl/en

The University of Twente (Dutch: Universiteit Twente; Dutch pronunciation: [ynivɛrsiˈtɛit ˈtʋɛntə], abbr. UT) is a public research university located in Enschede, Netherlands. It offers degrees in the fields of social sciences, exact sciences and is highly specialized in engineering.

The UT collaborates with Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and the Wageningen University and Research Centre under the umbrella of 4TU and is also a partner in the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU). The UT is ranked 65th in the Reuters's 2017 European Most Innovative Universities, and, 153rd worldwide in 2018 according to the Times Higher Education magazine.[2]

History

University of Twente entrance

The university was founded in 1961 as Technische Hogeschool Twente. After Delft and Eindhoven, it was the third higher vocational institute of technology in the Netherlands to become a university. The institution was renamed to Universiteit Twente (University of Twente) in 1986. The Dutch government's decision to locate the university in Enschede, the main city of Twente, had much to do with the north-eastern province's rich industrial history. Another important consideration was the fact that the local economy needed a boost to compensate for the dwindling textile industry.[3]

Campus

Drienerlo tower on the campus

The University of Twente was built on the former country estate of Drienerlo, situated between Hengelo and Enschede. The 140-hectare estate consists of woodland, meadows and water. Architects Van Tijen and Van Embden designed the first — and so far only — Dutch campus university along American lines where students and staff live, work and pursue their leisure activities on campus.[4] Through the years, several other important architects and artists have made their own contributions to the design of the campus.

Students and staff at the University of Twente continue to form an active academic community. The Student Union, which is run entirely by students, promotes the interests of all student societies and also manages several premises, including the student social centre in the heart of Enschede.[5] Besides, over hundred sports, cultural, international, social and business associations are part of the student life in the University of Twente.

Organization

Administration

The current director of the university is professor Thom Palstra. The other two members of the executive board are Victor van der Chijs (President Executive Board) and Mirjam Built-Spiering (Vice-President)[6]

Faculties

There are five Faculties at the University of Twente:

  • Behavioural Sciences, Management and Social Sciences (BMS)
  • Engineering Technology (CTW)
  • Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS)
  • Science and Technology (TNW)
  • Faculty of Geo-information Sciences and Earth Observation (formerly known as ITC Enschede)

Each Faculty is in turn organized into several departments.[7]

Academics

Research

"Het Ding" "(The Thing)", by Jasper Latté and Jaap Hos

Institutes

  • MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
  • MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine
  • Center for Telematics and Information technology (CTIT)
  • Institute for Innovation and Governance Studies (IGS)
  • Faculty of Geo Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
  • Programme for Science Based Engineering (SBE)

Knowledge and research centres

  • Center for Philosophy of Technology and Engineering Science (CEPTES)
  • Center for European Studies (CES)
  • Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS)
  • Center for healthcare operations improvement & research (CHOIR)
  • Centre for integrated manufacturing and development (CIPV)
  • Center for clean technology and environmental policy (CSTM)
  • Nikos - Dutch institute for knowledge intensive entrepreneurship
  • Science, Technology, and Policy Studies (STePS)
  • Twente Water Centre (TWC)

Education

The degree programs at the University of Twente range from business administration and psychology to applied physics, engineering and biomedical technology. Most students combine coursework in their major subject with a coherent set of minors in another discipline. A growing number of foreign students are finding their way to the UT. Almost all postgraduate programs (and several undergraduate programs) are taught entirely in English. Half of all PhD students at the UT now come from outside the Netherlands.

In the applied sciences, the emphasis is on nanotechnology, process technology, engineering, information and communication technology, and the biomedical sciences.

The University of Twente sets great importance on the useful application of knowledge in the society. Patents, lifelong learning programs, and spin-off companies testify to this commitment, as does UT's intensive involvement in research programs that enhance knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands. So far, the UT has produced over 1,000 spin-off companies; more than any other Dutch university.[8] UT is also one of the founders of Novel-T, formerly Stichting Kennispark Twente, a startup accelerator and support program for university spin-offs.[9][10]

Rankings

University rankings
Global
ARWU World[11] 301-400 (2017)
Times World[12] 179 (2018)
USNWR World[13] 319 (2018)
QS World[14] 179 (2018)

The Leiden Ranking (2016) ranked the University of Twente 127 in Europe.[15]

The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities (2016) ranked the University of Twente 215 overall in the world and 75 in Europe.[16]

The 2016 QS World University Rankings ranked the University of Twente 177 overall in the world.[17]

The 2017 Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked the University of Twente 153 overall in the world.[18] Also, the University was ranked 82 overall in the world in the field of Engineering and technology and 61 in the field of Computer Science.[19]

In 2016 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranked the University of Twente 301-400 overall in the world.[20]

The University of Twente also holds the title of the most entrepreneurial university in Netherlands and was voted the best Dutch university in the area of valorization.[21]

Timeline of rectors

  • 1963 - 1967: Gerrit Berkhoff (died in 1996)
  • 1967 - 1971: Jo Vlugter
  • 1971 - 1974: Pieter Zandbergen
  • 1974 - 1976: Jan Kreiken (d. 2001)
  • 1976 - 1979: Izak Willem van Spiegell (d. 2005)
  • 1979 - 1982: Harry van den Kroonenberg (d. 1996)
  • 1982 - 1985: Wiebe Draijer (d. 2007)
  • 1985 - 1988: Harry van den Kroonenberg (second term)
  • 1988 - 1992: Jos de Smit
  • 1992 - 1997: Theo Popma (d. 2013)
  • 1997 - 2004: Frans van Vught
  • 2005 - 2009: Henk Zijm
  • 2009 - 2016: Ed Brinksma
  • 2016–present: Thom Palstra

Notable alumni

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 "Facts and Figures 2015-2016". University of Twente. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  2. ↑ Editorial, Reuters. "Top 100 European Innovative Universities Profile". U.S. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  3. ↑ "History of the University of Twente". Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Life at the University | Campus Life | MSc University of Twente". Universiteit Twente. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  5. ↑ "The Student Union". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Members of the Executive Board". Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  7. ↑ "University of Twente, Faculties". Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "University of Twente Top universities".
  9. ↑ "News | Kennispark Twente becomes Novel-T | University of Twente - Enschede". Universiteit Twente. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  10. ↑ "Founders Novel-T". Novel T. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  11. ↑ Academic Ranking of World Universities - University of Twente
  12. ↑ World University Rankings 2018
  13. ↑ U.S. News Education: Best Global Universities 2018
  14. ↑ QS World University Rankings 2018
  15. ↑ "Leiden Ranking 2016". Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  16. ↑ "Webometrics Ranking of World Universities". www.webometrics.info. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "QS World University Rankings 2016".
  18. ↑ "Times Higher Education World University Rankings". Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  19. ↑ "Times Higher Education World University Rankings - Overview University of Twente".
  20. ↑ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2016". Retrieved 2016-12-05.
  21. ↑ "University of Twente again voted the most entrepreneurial university in the Netherlands".

Coordinates: 52°14′33.85″N 6°51′11.75″E / 52.2427361°N 6.8532639°E / 52.2427361; 6.8532639

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