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New contribution by the Province of Limburg

STEM as a driving force for economy in Limburg

Since 2010, Maastricht University has invested heavily in collaboration with the Province of Limburg to increase their offer of natural sciences. The positive results of this are particularly visible through the four Brightlands campuses. The project, called "Strengthening natural sciences", will enter the next phase in 2021, thanks to a new contribution from the Province of Limburg.

The establishment of Maastricht University is rooted in the need for further regional economic development. One of the most important drivers in the continuous development of academic education and research in Limburg is the compensation of the closing of the mines and the transformation to a full-fledged knowledge-driven economy.

STEM as a driving force for economy in Limburg
STEM as a driving force for economy in Limburg

Maastricht University has taken major steps in the development of almost all scientific disciplines, with the natural sciences and engineering forming the crowning achievement of the university’s current knowledge offer. The development of these two disciplines is driven by the needs of industrial parties in Limburg. The natural sciences include chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and all its derivative disciplines. (These disciplines are often referred to as STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Gedeputeerde Joost van den Akker

In the first phase of the project, five so-called ‘deliverables’ were developed: three study programmes and two research institutes, which form a solid foundation for the natural sciences in Limburg:

  • Bachelor’s programme: Maastricht Science Programme
  • Master’s programmes:  Biobased Materials and Systems Biology.
  • Research institutes: Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Biobased Materials group (currently known as: Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials)

The positive effect of the above programmes leads to a broadening of the range of natural sciences.

Without the Reinforcement of Natural Sciences project, there would never have been a (real) science and technology faculty in Limburg. There is now and we are even an indispensable link in the Dutch landscape and a catalyst and inspiration for a range of initiatives.  

Dean Faculty of Science and Engineering Thomas Cleij

National and international appearance

STEM as a driving force for economy in Limburg

Students and researchers from Maastricht University will soon be able to contribute to long-term projects that will put Limburg and the Euregion on the international map, such as:

  • ETpathfinder, an innovative, new generation of gravitational wave detectors
  • Brightsite, on the way to a climate neutral Chemelot
  • Brightlands Future of Farming Institute, solutions for sustainable food production in Venlo

With the Reinforcement of Natural Sciences project, Maastricht University and the Province of Limburg have created a considerable amount of direct and indirect jobs in the exact sciences sector. These initiatives will be financially secured by the Dutch national government and proceeds from contract research. Maastricht University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering is planning to develop a number of new initiatives in the near future.

New study programmes launched

The new bachelor’s programme: Business Engineering started in 2020 and two ‘macro-efficiency’ applications have now been approved. One for the Circular Engineering bachelor and one for the Molecular Imaging and Engineering master’s programme.

Over the coming year, the Sensor Engineering department will be expanded into a group that will apply its high-tech engineering expertise to almost all Brightlands campuses. For example, small and medium-sized enterprises in agricultural products can benefit from technology that can detect pathogens at an early stage and making it possible to respond timely and adequately.

These developments would not have been possible without developments within the strengthening of the natural sciences. However, these developments are not financed with the provincial subsidy. It is expected that the regional impact of strengthening the natural sciences in this way will only increase.

The best things happen where science and societal challenges meet. Research commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs has shown that we are on the right track with the collaboration around our Brightlands campuses. What is making the difference is the strong cooperation between knowledge institutes, the business community and governments.  

Deputy Joost van den Akker

Paul-Henri Spaaklaan 1

Faculty of Science and Engineering

The Faculty of Science and Engineering now actively engages in education and research on all four Brightlands campuses in Limburg. Strengthening the natural sciences in Limburg has become the financial and substantial basis for the rest of the faculty.

Since 2019, the Faculty of Science and Engineering is housed in Randwyck at de Paul-Henri Spaaklaan.

More information about the Faculty of Science and Engineering

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