Like-minded and complementary
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Twente are two like-minded and complementary universities. We find common ground in our shared personal approach to teaching and research, our service to society and our pride in the value of the academic community. This like-mindedness ensures that we can educate talents and develop relevant educational programmes and research projects together.
Our close cooperation started in 2019 with the launch of the joint bachelor's programme 'Mechanical Engineering' in Amsterdam. This will ensure a wider geographical spread of academic technology education and more highly educated technical staff.
Ambitions
Our cooperation and ambitions are based on four specific elements.
- With the development of joint Bachelor's programmes and a Tech Campus in Amsterdam, we are meeting the labour market's need for highly educated, broadly oriented and socially involved (engineering) professionals. In addition, we will offer joint technical master's programmes and transition programmes in Twente to meet the specific needs of the regional labour market in the East of the Netherlands.
- By making use of our broad range of alpha, beta and gamma sciences and technology, we are well equipped to offer our students, staff and alumni continuous programmes. In doing so, we make our existing range even more accessible and also develop new ranges.
- We contribute to the solution of socially complex problems such as climate change and social inequality. This requires a multidisciplinary approach and an integrated approach from alpha, beta and gamma sciences and technology. The three impact programmes work on this within the themes a resilient and secure society, a clean and sustainable society and a smart and digital society.
- By linking our ecosystems of the Northern Randstad and Eastern Netherlands, we will become even more attractive employers and cooperation partners. We are also developing the possibility of joint appointments of academics.
More information about both universities can be found on the website of the VU and the UT.