Electable staff and students

Dear colleagues of the Engineering Technology faculty,

I'm excited to take this opportunity to introduce myself and express my candidacy for the Faculty Council. My name is Wieteke de Kogel, and I like the prospect of representing our community within the Engineering Technology faculty.

After first being a mechanical engineering student here at UT, I went into business before returning as a lecturer at the same faculty. I have been doing that work for almost 20 years now, with occasional forays into business alongside.  So, I can say I know the faculty pretty well and have also seen it change over the years. 

Since I feel that change is happening in quicker and quicker succession, both at UT and in society, it seems like an interesting time to get involved in these changes as a member of the Faculty Council.

I therefore hope you will vote for me as a member of the Faculty Council

I am a Postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of Product-Market Relations (PMR), Department of Design, Production and Management (DPM). I am mainly developing new statistical methods to incorporate composites with structural equation modelling (SEM). I would like to join the Faculty Council to represent the interests of our fellows, to make our voices be heard, to negotiate, and to have a positive impact on policymaking.

My name is Irma Droste, 60 years old.

I live in Ootmarsum with my partner, my 3 boys left the house, so I have a lot of time left now. Working for the University for more than 30 years, at the financial department of ET.  I like to spend time with my friends, reading a book. Sporting at the moment at a low level, hopefully start in September with badminton again. My values and norms are: patience, friendly, careful, reliable. I am in the Faculty Council since 2022.

I am Laura Portos-Amill, PhD Candidate in the Marine and Fluvial Systems group, which is part of the Civil Engineering and Management department.

As an employee of the University, I am interested in understanding how decisions are taken and why; this is why I would like to be part of the Faculty Council. Furthermore, I think that the Faculty Council should be diverse and represent all departments and employees. I would like to represent the interests of the CEM department and the PhD Candidates in the ET Faculty.

Hi there! I am Hanneke Reuvekamp, a dedicated candidate for educational quality and positive change within our university community. With a background in Industrial Design Engineering (IDE), I have passed through the academic landscape from Bachelor's to Master's. Currently, I’m working as a PhD candidate and lecturer, within the MS3 department in the Functionalised Surface Engineering and Design (FUSED) chair.

My journey has been enriched by hands-on experience in various student assistant jobs, but most importantly by taking part in the quality assurance committee for the educational program of IDE and within the university-wide Student Experience Quality (SEQ) workgroup. These roles have given me a deep understanding of the complexity of the educational processes and the importance of maintaining high standards.

What sets me apart in this faculty council election is my ability to bridge the perspectives of both staff and students. My background and unique position allow me to blend insights from the classroom and the research domain, ensuring a holistic approach to advising in decision-making.

My emphasis revolves around key pillars such as workload management and fostering a positive working and learning atmosphere, both through focusing on educational quality, the anticipated language discussion, and embracing diversity. I aim to create an environment where every voice is heard, and every student and faculty member thrives.

Together, let's shape a brighter future for our academic community. Your support in this election will pave the way for meaningful progress and impactful change. Thank you for considering me for the Faculty Council.

Dear colleagues and students of the Faculty of Engineering Technology, I am Eli Shirazi, an international member of our community with a passion for sustainability. I am an assistant professor in advanced manufacturing, sustainable products, and energy systems at ET.

Just as we strive for sustainability in our research and education, we must also strive for a governance structure that is sustainable in its openness and effectiveness. Therefore, I stand before you as a candidate for the ET Faculty Council, committed to improving transparency and inclusivity in our faculty. Transparency fosters trust and collaboration, which are essential for an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic academic environment. This will allow us to utilize the diverse expertise within our faculty to further innovate and enhance our academic programs through strategic, cross-departmental projects and workshops that encourage interdisciplinary engagement.

Let’s engineer our faculty with sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity.

I am an Assistant Professor of Biofluid Dynamics at the Engineering Fluid Dynamics group of the University of Twente. I acquired a master's in Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in Simulation Sciences from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany. In 2016, I obtained a doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing.)  summa cum laude from the University of Siegen in Germany with a thesis that investigated blood and CSF flows using computational models. After that I had postdoctoral research stays in Zürich and Stuttgart before joining the UT in 2019. My research team at UT investigates physiological flows using fluid mechanical models tailored for high-performance computing.

After spending almost 5 years at the ET faculty, I intend to participate in the overall wellbeing of the faculty and help the management team in research-related aspects in addition to the finances, which is a challenge that we all face today. I have observed a number of managerial aspects in my day to day life at the UT in the last 5 years, which makes me confident in being on the advisory roles.

I am Matthias, a member of the laser group of the MS3 department. I teach in the mechanical engineering programme of VU/UT, and do research in laser-assisted fabrication, in the function of assistant professor. I have been studying and working in Germany, Spain and the UK, and I am part of the university for the last 7 years. Now I am curious to join the faculty council to learn and bring new insights in that position. I hope I can contribute to keeping the university a decent place to work and study, and help everyone realise their potential to do so.

My name is Alexandra Tark, I am 20 years old and I am currently in my 2nd year of the Industrial Design Engineering bachelor. I’m really enjoying my time in IDE, but other than my classes I really enjoy arts, reading and spending time with my friends and going for a drink. I have been involved with the inner workings of my study and the ET faculty since my first year where I joined the program committee of IDE. This then made the choice of my current board function of Officer of Educational Affairs at S.G. Daedalus, easier as I was very enthusiastic to learn more about these topics. I hope to have the chance to work in a group which can really have an impact on the way our faculty will move forward. So, if I get this opportunity I hope I can be there to represent all of your opinions and thoughts!

I am Mathijs Boer, a 22-year-old student studying Industrial Design Engineering. Ever since arriving in Enschede, I have enjoyed opportunities to develop myself and discover what the University of Twente has to offer. Next to excelling academically, I have done a board year at student association Alpha and P.K.v.V. Fact, taught at a high school, joined a korfball club, found a fraternity and along the way met some amazing people and learned skills that I had never imagined.

To me, studying at the University of Twente should be about developing as a person, not only academically, but also professionally and socially. Looking towards the next year, I hope to be of influence at the university and the specific ET faculty. So that more students can enjoy these opportunities towards development that I have had, and still have. I aim to combine the experience and expertise of the vast diversity of possibilities we have at the UT, from the SU to the sports- and study associations. So that we together can continue to strive to give every student, the best possible education and experience at the University of Twente.

My name is Nick Bakkenes, a 23-year-old Mechanical Engineering master's student. Before my master's, I finished my bachelor's degree in advanced technology. During my bachelor's, I dedicated a year of my life to participating in Electric Superbike Twente. After having focussed on my own development for a while, I now feel like I would like to participate in the development of the ET faculty for all students. I feel like I have a unique perspective on the study and faculty after switching from the S&T faculty, so I hope I will be able to contribute to a better future for the UT!

My name is Bernd Boerma, and I'm 20 years old. I'm in my second year of the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. Currently, I've taken a break from my studies for a year and taken up the role of secretary at W.S.G. Isaac Newton. Although my current role doesn't directly involve education, I'm keen on contributing more to the educational aspect and providing input to improve the studies within our faculty. That's why I'm eager to join the faculty council.

I am Veerle Schekelaars, I am a third-year mechanical engineering student. I am currently doing a board year at W.S.G Isaac Newton where I am commissioner of educational affairs. Within this function, I am in close contact with the program of mechanical engineering to keep the quality of the education high. However, I am also interested in being involved in faculty-wide issues. My main goal within both my board year and for the faculty council is to be in close contact with students and listen to their input.

My name is Floris-Luc Witjes, and I am running for a spot in the Faculty Council next year. I am 21 years old and in my third year of studying Civil Engineering. Besides studying, I am quite active in the rest of my student life. Next, I like to run a lot. I ran the Enschede Marathon last month and am currently training for the Batavierenrace.

Right now, I am doing a full-time board year as the Chairman of Study Association ConcepT. I hope to get elected to the Faculty Council so that I can voice students’ concerns to the Faculty Board and improve matters throughout the whole faculty.

Hello, my name is Kirsten Pronk, and I want to be part of the Faculty Council next year. I am 21 years old and in my third year of my study in Civil Engineering. Apart from studying, I like to train for the concrete canoe race and the Batavierenrace or have a drink with my sorority palette.

Currently I am doing a board year at Study Association ConcepT as Officer of Educational affairs. While doing this I am trying to be engaged with all the students and the program of Civil Engineering. If I get elected to the Faculty Council,  I aim to represent students' concerns to the Faculty Board and strive towards improving matters within the whole faculty. So, vote for me!