Tim Henneman, student participant (SBE): "As a student, I valued the opportunity to see education researchers present their research and to get to talk to my educators."
UM Education Days
The UM Education Days have become a cherished tradition at Maastricht University, bringing together educators, researchers, students, and staff from across the university’s diverse faculties. Held at EDLAB, UM's Centre for Teaching & Learning, the event is an annual opportunity to share knowledge, explore new teaching practices, and build connections within the academic community.
Save the date! The next Education Days are scheduled for 11-12 June 2025.
Missed the UM Education Days 2024 or want to feel the vibe again? Watch the video!
UM Education Days: A celebration of collaboration, creativity, and connection
Collaboration across faculties
Participants valued the opportunity to connect with colleagues they don't often see, as well as to present and discuss diverse expertise and teaching approaches. “The UM Education Days bring together all the faculties within the university,” said Martijn Weyenberg, Project leader of Match Maastricht. “It’s a two-way exchange, and you're actually always learning things from other people"
"Everyone's got such broad experiences,” observed Donna Carroll, Educational training developer at EDLAB, who enjoyed seeing the diverse teaching methods presented at the event.
The UM Education Days in pictures
Click on the icon to browse through the photos
Photography by Joey Roberts
Exploring creative and experimental approaches to teaching
The UM Education Days showcased a range of creative and experimental teaching practices. Colleagues were encouraged to embrace new approaches without being constrained by traditional methods.
Participants explored various ways to make learning more engaging and effective, with some sessions taking participants outside the traditional classroom environment or experimenting with robotics. “It’s about being brave, trying out new approaches, and involving students in the process,” Donna said.
Participants' views: "The Education Days are for, by, and with the community"
Burak Can, presenter (SBE): "The most important thing I learned today is that creation and letting people create, make, and innovate is one of the most powerful ways of empowering them."
Niels van der Baan, presenter (FHML): "I went to the Education Days early in my PhD and I got to know a lot of people immediately.”
Lars Eijssen, participant (FHML): "It's great to see how other colleagues apply concepts that you can use in your teaching."
Carolina Cicati, presenter (LAW): "The most important thing I’ve learned today is how to incorporate interactive game cards into mentorship programmes during tutorials.”
Ellen Bastiaens, director EDLAB: "The Education Days are a great platform to meet, to exchange, to learn with each other and from each other. They're for, by, and with the community.”
Cristina Mancigotti, participant (SBE): "As capacity development programme coordinator, I'm interested in finding out best practices regarding the evaluation of learning and follow-up activities.”
Pavlina Eftimova, student participant (FSE): “As a student,I gained valuable insights into what it is like to be on the other side of education—seeing how courses are designed and taught, seeing the perspective of the educators.”
Diana Dolmans, presenter (FHML): “I attended the workshop on adaptive expertise, where I learned that it's crucial for students to develop adaptive expertise instead of just being routine experts."
Engaging students in the educational process
Pavlina Eftimova, a student participant, appreciated seeing the educational process from the perspective of educators. “It’s fascinating to see how courses are developed and to share our views with those who design them.” This dialogue enables a more holistic understanding of education, where feedback and collaboration lead to continuous improvement.
Looking forward
As the UM Education Days 2024 ended, participants expressed hope that the event would continue to grow and evolve, drawing in more members of the university community each year. “I hope the event attracts even more colleagues and becomes a longstanding tradition at Maastricht University,” said Perry Heymann, Policy Officer at UM's Corporate Information Office.
For anyone passionate about education, the UM Education Days are about more than just sharing knowledge—they are about building a community that values learning, creativity, and collaboration.
We look forward to welcoming you at the next UM Education Days on 11-12 June 2025!
Previous editions
Our alumni community boasts 100,000 graduates, and it's continually expanding! Some alumni stay close to home, while others venture to all corners of the globe. Wherever you are in the world, there’s a good chance that a UM alumnus is nearby! This is the inspiration behind Alumni Circles.
Find an Alumni Circle near you
You are automatically part of a Circle if you live near other alumni. To accurately determine the number of UM alumni in each area, we need updated data from all alumni, including you. So, please remember to update your details whenever you move to a new location. This helps us keep track of our alumni's whereabouts and keeps you informed about nearby alumni events.
Can't find your city?
Our Alumni Circles vary in size, from over 1000 alumni to around 100. The circles shown on the map are active, meaning they have an Alumni Circle Committee and organise events.
If there isn’t an active Circle near you, feel free to contact us. We can see if there are more alumni in your region interested in organising events and possibly create a new circle together. Reach out at alumni@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Alumni Circles around the world
Looking for an alumni circle near you?
Join an Alumni Circle Committee
An Alumni Committee consists of a few dedicated alumni who facilitate and host events in their city. Working alongside the Event and Community Coordinator of the UM Alumni Office, they develop the programme. Committee members are crucial in maintaining the local network and serve as important ambassadors for UM.
Would you like to be part of an Alumni Circle Committee and help organise gatherings and events in your region? Contact us at alumni@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Experiences of Alumni Circle Committee members
Katharina Nolte
"In the past 7 years, there have been many highlights in the Alumni Circle, great events and interesting contacts. The most memorable experience was probably my very first alumni event, the UM Star Lectures 2016. I felt transported back to my student life. I got to know the fellow committee members with whom I exchanged ideas for upcoming UM alumni events. Long story short: since that evening I have been an active member of the alumni circle committee."
Patrick Voss
Patrick Voss, an alumnus of Maastricht University, was actively involved in the Alumni Circle committee for North and Central Limburg for 15 years. He helped organise a range of events, from lectures to workshops, emphasising the importance of in-person meetings for building networks. Patrick particularly valued the opportunity to learn beyond his own field and encourages alumni to get involved with Alumni Circles to maintain a lasting connection with the university.
Harro van Lente receives RWTH Aachen Research Fellowship
The project 'Epistemic Imaginaries' will study how within research fields ideas about 'where to go' emerge, stabilize and change under external pressure, such as the climate crisis.
Heroes and Exemplary Actions in Legal Academia
- Law
Academic life entails walking a path in which we can learn and help others learn. It is a two way road, where awareness of roles and of the impact of our actions is fundamental. A question tends to emerge in that academic path: to what extent is it possible to speak of the existence of academic heroes?
Learn all about the MSc Learning and Development in Organisations | Online Info Session
- Study information activity
Are you interested in studying MSc Learning and Development in Organisations and want to learn more about this programme? Join our online info session via Zoom to learn more about your options at Maastricht University School of Business and Economics.
Up until 2023, each year, the Student Project Team organised the Student Idea Competition. In this competition, you could pitch your projects or ideas to a jury of experts at Maastricht University (UM) and win a cash prize to help make your projects or ideas a reality.
Since 2024, the Student Idea Competition has merged with the Maastricht University Challenge to become the SPT’s Social Impact Prize.
Conditions for taking part
- You have to be a student enrolled at UM or Zuyd Hogeschool.
- You must be a participant in the Maastricht University Challenge (please click here for conditions of entry ).
- Your idea must have a social dimension i.e., it (also) aims to improve student life at UM.
- Your idea must be original.
How can you take part?
The Student Project Team will reach out to a short-listed number eligible participants in the Maastricht University Challenge. Do you think that your project qualifies? Then you may also reach out to us via a Maastricht University Challenge’s online platform!
Applications for the 2024 edition of the Maastricht University Challenge is currently closed. Keep up-to-date by following us on Instagram !
Previous Student Idea Competition winners
2023
UniView
UniView aims to provide a secure and scam-free platform for students to view potential housing abroad, with a verified on-site student network offering personalized viewing services.
2022
Eatly
Eatly aims to decrease food waste, by offering high-quality fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.
2021
Digital Loan Service
Digital Loan Service aims to set up a system to lend electronic devices to students who temporarily cannot afford them and are experiencing problems with their studies as a result.
2020
The Student Idea Competition 2020 was cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019
Precious Plastic Maastricht
The idea the team presented was to install pen-recycling bins next to the bins already located inside UM.