“At Brightlands, students are not just learners, they’re contributors”
When Mohammad Daud arrived in the Netherlands in August 2023, he didn’t yet know how much working at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus would shape his perspective, both professionally and personally. In a previous interview he shared his first impressions as a UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship student. Now, nearing the end of his Master’s in Biobased Materials, he reflects on a period of deep learning, discovery, and growth. Looking back, he sees the scholarship as a catalyst. Not just for academic progress, but for discovering what kind of researcher and colleague he wants to be.
Learning beyond the lab
As part of the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship, Mohammad is completing his thesis at Envalior, working on the chemical recycling of post-consumer plastics. The aim? To break polymers down into monomers and create materials that retain full quality. Tackling the waste streams that are beyond the scope of traditional mechanical recycling.
“The project was outside my academic comfort zone at first, but that’s exactly why I embraced it. I’ve learned things here that go far beyond the scope of my bachelor’s or even my master’s. It changed how I think about research.” For example, he learned to apply chemical engineering principles in a new domain and gained hands-on experience with real-world processes at scale.
While he spends most of his time in the lab, Mohammad also actively seeks out knowledge from within the organization. He often initiates informal talks with senior researchers and technicians, proactively asking for feedback and input. “There are people here with decades of experience. I try to connect with them, learn from them, and apply those insights to my work. Their perspective adds so much depth to what I’m working on.”
New research, new ideas, new people
Beyond his thesis, Mohammad actively participates in campus life: attending science lectures, meeting researchers, and building his network. “I always tell new students: look beyond your course. Brightlands is full of movement: new research, new ideas, new people. The campus is small enough to feel connected, and big enough to be meaningful.” Attending these events helped him discover new perspectives and even refine the direction of his thesis research.
Looking ahead, open-minded and grounded
With his thesis nearing completion in June, Mohammad is now actively exploring job opportunities in the Netherlands. Ideally, he would like to stay in the region — and if possible, continue working within the Brightlands ecosystem. He’s particularly drawn to roles in industrial research and innovation; environments where academic thinking meets practical impact.
“I’m not chasing a specific title. I’m looking for a place where I can keep learning and contribute with the perspective I’ve built here. I’ve worked in production and operations before this Master’s, so I bring a broader view. That’s something I’ve noticed is valued here.”
Mohammad has come to appreciates the local working culture. Especially the openness, the accessibility of knowledge, and the recognition of young talent. “At Brightlands, students are not just learners, they’re contributors. That mindset really motivates me.”
Present in the moment, open to what’s next
And it’s not just the work environment that has left a mark. “There’s so much history in these buildings and so much of the future is being built here. You feel that continuity when you work here.”
Mohammad has grown fond of life in the Netherlands, not just for the professional opportunities, but for the everyday experience. “People here don’t realize how beautiful the sky is over here. It’s soft, calm, and quietly bright. You look up, and it puts things in perspective.” It’s this kind of grounded optimism that defines Mohammad’s approach: present in the moment, open to what’s next.
UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship
Launched in 2022, the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship programme offers four full scholarships per academic year to a select number of top-performing non-EU/EEA students who have been admitted (conditionally) to a master's program affiliated with one of the Brightlands campuses.
A required component of the UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship is participation in the thesis research programme which requires scholarship recipients to write their thesis based on research at one of the companies based at the relevant Brightlands campus. This contributes to the campus’ development.
Source: Brightlands newsletter
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