´We are moving towards a globalized world, but we are not completely united yet,' says Professor Veldkamp. Internationalization is a means of increasing the global impact of UT's research and education.
Cultural and regional specifics
Earth science quite literally covers the whole globe, and so - as an earth scientist - Professor Veldkamp has a certain insight into working across borders. He pointed out that while humans certainly modify their environment, this human impact is regionally and culturally specific. Veldkamp talked about the importance of taking this specific cultural and regional context into account: ´We as a technical university contribute to the global society with new technologies. However, apart from the global impact, we should become more sensitive to the local human touch of our high tech beyond Twente.´
Grand challenges
According to Veldkamp, it is crucial to realize that world faces complex problems that cannot be solved with one simple solution. Certain solution might work well in one part of the world, but it may not work well elsewhere. ´Most grand challenges are complicated societal problems that require an approach that is context sensitive, collaborative and experimental. Like cultural identity and language, technology too is context and place specific, ´ said Veldkamp.
Teamwork
During his lecture, Veldkamp stressed the importance of teamwork and the role alumni can play in global recognition of UT. ITC has more than 20,000 alumni all over the world, of which half are active and very loyal to ITC. This situation was achieved also by organizing tailor-made courses related to local problems and taking place on location. Veldkamp explained: ´We not only have come to know our alumni while they were in the Netherlands, we have interact with them in their local context. This is where ITC’s approach differs from that of the rest of the UT.´
Two dimensions of human touch
Professor Veldkamp ended the lecture with the conclusion that: ´Our UT high tech has both a global and a context-specific human touch dimension. The latter can only be achieved by intensively interacting with local stakeholders in their local context. Finally, in order to achieve these targets we should not be afraid to experiment, to take risks. We have to learn how to dance to the global e-rhythm as well as the local music.´
