How lifelong learning offers new opportunities for collaboration
You never run out of things to learn, especially if you are an engineer. Science and technology are developing fast, and to stay ahead, professionals need to keep updated on technological advancements and industry best practices.
The University of Twente (UT) has been offering programs for professionals for years and recently has decided to give lifelong learning (LLL) an even stronger structural place. The UT has designated LLL as a fully-fledged pillar1 to prepare professionals for the challenges of today and tomorrow. In collaboration with educational partners and the professional field, the UT aims to expand the development of programs linked to its research and societal needs.
This approach aligns with the developments within the faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) at the UT, working towards a future-proof education portfolio. We believe that fundamental engineering knowledge provides the tools to drive change in ways that benefit society, people, and our planet. The prospect of having a positive impact on society by offering engineering solutions for complex and urgent societal challenges motivates us, and it challenges us towards high-quality engineering research and education.
We are already engaged in providing lifelong learning. The Master Class Asset Management & Maintenance Engineering, for example, is a program for maintenance engineers and maintenance managers about design for maintenance, predictive maintenance, spare part management and technology innovation management. Together with ASML, we offer Systems Engineering trainings, in which an increasing number of ASML employees take part. Moreover, through the DesignLab, we offer trainings on Responsible Futuring. Herein we’re pioneering citizen science and challenge & community-based learning methodologies, fostering active engagement and collaboration among learners from diverse backgrounds, including students, researchers, and professionals.
We work closely together with our partners and invest in ways that bring the worlds of academia, industry, government, and society together. Lifelong learning for us means integrating education and research in a way that meets the learning and developing needs of engineering professionals and industrial and other societal partners.
In 2024, ET is committed to advancing its strategic approach to Lifelong Learning (LLL), extending our offerings, enriching experiences, and amplifying our impact. Through evaluation of the existing LLL initiatives within ET, coupled with a comprehensive study of best practices at the University of Twente (UT), other Dutch institutions, and our global network, 2024 will be a year of learning and growth as we refine and tailor learning formats to cater to the evolving needs of our professional audience. Collaborating closely with our university peers, we will forge new models and procedures to facilitate the integration of both internal and external opportunities and initiatives.
We will build upon our partnerships with stakeholders beyond academia, ensuring our programs remain relevant and impactful.
Every day brings new insights, and we invite you to contribute your ideas and expertise. Whether you have spotted opportunities for further growth, concepts to co-create, or a wish to get (more) involved, we welcome your input. Only together, we can engineer for impact.
