Diamond anniversary
In 2021, the UT celebrates its sixtieth anniversary. Since the pandemic will make this lustrum year all the more unorthodox, it remains to be seen which festive activities can and will go on. Still, as is tradition, the UT will give out honorary degrees. And the campus will gain a special artwork, a head of 8 meters, to commemorate the anniversary.
AFAS (going) live
It’s one of those organisational changes that flies under the radar until it hits you: since a few days ago, the UT is using AFAS software for its HR and payroll systems. University of Groningen employees encountered a mess, but according to UT employees involved in the implementation of AFAS here, our situation is ‘significantly different’ and there’s not that much to worry about.
Online surveillance
No more giant halls filled with hundreds of students. Exams are likely to look differently this (academic) year. While small-scale exams are still allowed to take place on campus, the Covid-19 pandemic is making gatherings of any kind very difficult. More online exams are therefore to be expected. In order to make digital tests possible – and fair – the UT has opened doors to the use of proctoring. Surveillance during online exams might become reality for many students this semester.
Brick by brick
Housing developments keep continuing, also in 2021: Langezijds is being rebuilt for ITC (to be opened in 2022), the UT will get a ‘contact centre’ in the former Faculty Club, the ‘leak’ Paviljoen will be renovated and the first steps are being taken to add a new workplace to the Horst complex.
First students at the ECIU University
The virtual ECIU University will welcome its first official students in February 2021. About 300 students from the ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities) partners, including the UT, will join this European university and work together on solving real life societal challenges. For now, only students can participate but options for life-long learners will be added soon. They should be able to sign up for the next phase in September 2021.
Election time
In March, the elections for the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) will take place. What choices the new government will make, and what effect those choices will have on Dutch higher education, remains to be seen. Although some pieces of the puzzle are moving. For instance, several parties argued for a new basic student grant (a.k.a. basisbeurs), which was replaced in 2015 for a loan system. Only the VVD, coincidentally the biggest party, is still against the return of the basic grant.
Eventful year?
While 2020 was surely eventful, there was also a dire lack of events. We missed all the traditional festivals and competitions that normally take place on campus. Hopefully that is not the story of 2021. Business Days (Bedrijvendagen), Batavierenrace and Kick-In are all being planned and scheduled to take place, albeit possibly in a slightly different form than usual.
From Thom to Tom
It’s a rule of thumb that the first hundred days are usually to get comfortable at a new job. While his predecessor focused on talent, diversity, integrity and excellence, what will become the signature of Tom Veldkamp? In the duo interview together with Thom Palstra, Veldkamp mentioned his commitment to Shaping2030. Let’s see where he takes things in that regard, and others...
Wellbeing concerns
We have been working and studying from home for nearly a year. This (often negatively) influences our mental and physical wellbeing, as was also shown by surveys conducted by the UT as well as U-Today. The university has therefore started various wellbeing initiatives to support employees and students. With the country still in lockdown, the focus on this topic is not likely to disappear this year either. A follow-up to the initial corona survey is also expected soon.
Money on the Horizon
Horizon Europe, the successor of Horizon2020, will launch in 2021. The upcoming European programme on Research and Innovation has billions of euros to divide over the upcoming years. But the odds of getting a grant are low, meaning UT researchers will need to have their pieces in place.
New president
It will soon be time to meet the new president of the UT Executive Board. After eight years on the job, Victor van der Chijs’s term will end in October and the university will name his successor. However, due to the exceptional situation we find ourselves in, there is a possibility that the president’s term could be extended.
The big race
In October 2021, all eyes will be on a strangely shaped car driving through the outback of Australia. Unless coronavirus decides otherwise, it will once again be time for the Solar Team Twente to race in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Will they or one of the other UT student teams bring home a trophy? Green Team Twente should compete in the Shell Eco-Marathon, Solar Boat Twente is sailing towards the Monaco Solar & Energy Boat Challenge 2021 and RoboTeam Twente could be on their way to RoboCup. And we are sure that DroneTeam Twente and Esports Team Twente will also put up a fight in their respective fields.
Goodbye, Britain
It took years of discussions and negotiations, but the UK has left the European Union. (Un)surprisingly, Brexit will also have consequences for higher education. To start with, the UK will no longer take part in the Erasmus exchange programme, which has offered student exchanges across Europe since 1987. This is bad news not only for the thousands of Britons, who annually spend time at a European university, but also for Dutch students who’ve had their eyes set on studying in the UK. Don’t despair, though. As Britain has taught us: Keep calm and carry on.
Corona: expect the unexpected
If 2020 taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected. How the pandemic will develop in 2021 remains to be seen. Vaccines pave the way towards the exit, but there is still a very long way to go. A pretty safe bet: in 2021 we will still be dealing with the ebs and flows of the 1,5 meter university, with the UT adjusting to the situation; tightening measures where necessary and easing where possible.
