University of Twente - Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The University of Twente is an entrepreneurial research university with special focus on technological developments in the knowledge society. The university needs to be responsive to the requirements of the modern society and also has a special responsibility to develop and implement a broad knowledge potential in science and technology. In order to meet these challenges, the University of Twente advocates the establishment of a single Federation of Technical Universities in the Netherlands in 2010. The three technical universities agreed to join forces in 2005 and on 7 February 2007 the 3TU Federation was launched. The 3TU Federation aims to operate effectively at both national and international level. Within the 3TU framework the University of Twente promotes outstanding educational standards and world class research that leads the way in a number of specific areas. In pursuit of these goals, the University of Twente also wants to stimulate economic and social development regionally: in Twente, the north-east of the Netherlands, and in the Gronau-Twente Euregio.

A focus on the interdependent relationship between social and technological innovation is a distinguishing feature of the University of Twente and this is reflected in the way it carries out its core activities. Strategic networks of public and private partners are encouraged. On campus, academic training occupies a central position and the University’s special character is reflected in the organisation of its degree programmes.

Teaching is of the highest standard and the University is committed to:

• an educational programme that is in tune with the latest international research developments;
• an approach that allows students to seek challenges in the study programmes they are being offered;
• Bachelor’s programmes that are broad-based, with ample opportunity for excellent students to be put on the international honours track, and to adapt their study programme to fit their personal profiles;
• providing a limited number of selective Master’s programmes that reflect the University’s core research activities, in addition to the standard Master’s programmes that follow on from the Bachelor’s;
• ensuring that the research Master’s programmes, whenever possible and desirable, lead to a fast-track PhD programme;
• giving academic training a central place in both the Bachelor’s and the Master’s degree programmes;
• the application of modern educational insights across all teaching programmes;
• an explicit and continuous orientation towards the requirements of the labour market;
• the application of internationally agreed quality norms.

The University of Twente conducts world class research that:

• contributes to social and technological innovation by carrying out empirical, experimental and design-oriented scientific research with unique combination of social, behavioural and engineering research;
• is underpinned by a strong focus on the implications of technological innovation and the development of the knowledge society;
• is multidisciplinary in character, and rooted in the knowledge base of the underlying disciplines;
• is organised in a limited number of distinctive and internationally acclaimed research institutes;
• is carried out in a context of intensive interaction with the public and the private sectors;
• creates opportunities for new areas of development, rich in potential.

This mission is being accomplished by a highly motivated, outstanding academic community with the full support of a Student Union charged with the tasks of promoting an active student community and a specific range of high-quality services. Financial prudence, modern human resource management, and adequate housing and facilities are important preconditions to ensure its success.