Looking back at the MHPE on-campus period

Last May, we had the pleasure of welcoming our new MHPE students in Maastricht. Below, MHPE director Renée Stalmeijer looks back at our MHPE on-campus period.

'Spring is always a joyful time at SHE. Not only because of the beautiful flowers and sunny days, but also because we welcome our MHPE students to Maastricht. This year, we were delighted to welcome 32 first-year and 22 second-year students from around the world.

During three intensive on-campus weeks, first-year students got to know one another and the program while collaborating in educational design teams to develop student-centred, evidence-informed course blueprints. At the same time, second-year students focused on developing their master's thesis research proposals, supported by both their peers and Maastricht faculty.

Beyond the academic work, the campus weeks offer valuable opportunities to (re)connect with colleagues and friends. Each year, we organize several social events where students and staff come together at different locations throughout the beautiful city of Maastricht.

The highlight of the campus weeks is the on-site graduation ceremony, where we celebrate our graduates and their achievements. Every year, I am struck by the strength of the MHPE community and by how a shared passion for educating healthcare professionals brings people together across countries, cultures, and disciplines. The MHPE continues to foster educational leaders, designers, and researchers, leaving a lasting impact on both careers and lives.

This year's graduation ceremony captured that impact beautifully through a poem written by MHPE graduate Sampada Tambolkar from India. I hope you enjoy her words as much as I did.'

Are you also interested in our MHPE programme? The on-campus weeks next year are from 24 May until 11 June, 2027. More information can also be found here.

My MHPE Journey

By Dr Sampada Tambolkar, India

My MHPE journey began tentatively enough

I thought what will it have?
A few lectures, presentations and a few assignments tough 
But somewhere between Bloom, alignment, and theory,
I transformed slowly, though often quite weary.

“Write clear ILOs!” our teachers declared,
 While constructive alignment had all of us scared.
 At 2 a.m. we wrote objectives with pride,
Though Miller, Bloom and our mentors never left our side.

Then came qualitative research, gentle yet deep,
With coding and themes stealing all of my sleep.
“Reflexivity”, “triangulation,” words we once feared,
Soon became lessons we quietly endeared.

At Maastricht, EDI was no longer just something to say,
But something we learned through people each day.
In communities, classrooms, and stories untold,
We learned empathy matters far more than gold.

At Maastricht University, feedback often felt painfully tough
“Go deeper”, “Justify”, “This isn’t enough.”
We frowned at the comments, exhausted and tired,
Not knowing we were being carefully inspired.

Because later we realized, with gratitude true,
These teachers were shaping the educators we grew into.
They taught us that rigor and kindness can blend,
And excellence is refinement again and again.

Forever gratitude

to my supervisor and coach both patient and wise,
Who saw possibility through doubtful eyes.
And to my cohort of friends, my laughter, my cheer,
Who made every stressful deadline easier and easier.

Together we survived presentations and fear,
Citations, vivas, and deadlines severe.
But beyond the degree, one lesson stays with me:
At its heart, MHPE is humanity.