About six months ago, the new joint bachelor's programme in mechanical engineering of the University of Twente and the Free University launched. Recently, we looked back on the first semester. The conclusion? Overall, there is satisfaction but there is still room for improvement.
The new ‘Mechanical Engineering’ bachelor’s degree is a unique programme in which two institutions have joined forces to offer a single course in both Amsterdam and Enschede, and to award a single degree. It was set up specifically because the range of technical courses in North Holland is limited. The joint programme began in September. Ten of the 56 students (the majority of whom are from Amsterdam, with the rest being international students) who started the programme have since dropped out. According to Pieter Roos, the programme’s coordinator, and André de Boer, the UT’s cultural ambassador, this figure is not significantly different from that of the regular UT programme. Both men are interviewed in U Today, the UT’s student magazine.
Travel
In the past six months, evaluation moments with students revealed, among other things, that they are not happy with travelling to Enschede for the fortnightly contact days. These may become fewer in future, to accommodate students, Pieter Roos tells U Today. ' Maybe we should make better use of the time students are in Enschede by giving lectures, instead of just the practicals.'
Better support
Professor André de Boer, former director of the mechanical engineering programme, acts as a cultural guardian for the programme and provides advice. He sees room for improvement, particularly when it comes to student support. ‘If they have subject-related questions outside lecture hours, UT lecturers are not always available. In the second semester, we are resolving this by having one UT lecturer act as semester co-ordinator in Amsterdam, four days a week.’
Earlier contact with workshop staff is also desirable, he says. 'Now, in the weeks they are in Enschede, they find out that some ideas are not feasible,' says de Boer. 'The students do not yet have their own place at the VU, although they are welcome at the Mens study association. Nevertheless, they sometimes look a bit lost, as they do not have their own room, as student association Newton does at UT.' Students also report having seen very little of the city of Enschede. Someone says: 'We mostly stay on campus, in log cabins where it is far too cold.' Students pay 12.50 euros per night for an overnight stay (they have to be at UT once a week on Thursdays and Fridays). The students also feel like guinea pigs.
Fewer projects
Currently, mechanical engineering subjects are taught by six UT lecturers, while VU lecturers teach subjects such as mathematics. This is going to shift more in the future. 'There are now some VU lecturers who are tagging along and will eventually take over WB subjects. One of the challenges is transferring the typical mechanical engineering mentality we have at UT.' The two gentlemen expect to welcome around 100 students for the coming academic year. 'There is definitely interest.'
Source: Utoday.nl
Photo: Engineering Image Bank
