Four days are allocated to the introduction program for pre-masters and master's students, with the Monday being strongly geared to internationals. Co-organizer Jeanette Schoumacher does not have the exact number to hand, but puts the number of international students taking part in the Master's Kick-off at some three hundred. These students had the opportunity Monday to follow online presentations given by, among others, the International Office at TU/e and Cosmos, the international student association.

The departments had the biggest hand in designing the program for Tuesday, offering presentations on the educational content of their master's. The students also enjoyed virtual introductions with the members of their groups. “They get to know each other a little better by forming groups. Even though they are online, it still creates a sense of connection,” says Schoumacher. In addition, there were workshops on themes such as diversity, and in the evening students were able to join a virtual pub quiz organized by grand cafe De Zwarte Doos.

Corona-proof

Today, Wednesday August 26th, is the only offline day in the Master's Kick-off - set up to be corona-proof, of course, as was the Intro for bachelor's students one week earlier. Participants are meeting their fellow group members before  spreading out among various buildings where the challenges are taking place. Students have been able to choose from twenty challenges within five overarching themes, such as data, health and sustainability. In multidisciplinary teams (one hundred in all) they are getting to grips this afternoon, under the guidance of coaches from trade and industry or TU/e innovation Space, with a challenging case.

The results must be submitted before the end of the afternoon using MS Teams and will then be assessed by a jury. The best teams will have the chance to pitch their work in the early evening in the Blauwe Zaal, after which a winner will be chosen by not only the jury and representatives of innovation Space but also the students themselves. According to Schoumacher, the cases in the Master's Kick-off traditionally produce plenty of interesting results, which are not infrequently pursued by the company involved, or picked up as a project by TU/e innovation Space, or inspire a new course.

Workshops

This evening more workshops will be held, these ones being provided by the TU/e Skills Lab and Studium Generale. Food will also be served on the campus and all the study associations are organizing activities for their own department's students. The program on Thursday is again online, and will include a presentation by Vodafone on the current status and future of 5G, as well as a diverse selection of career-oriented workshops.

Thus, as with the bachelor's, it is chiefly in the online arena that information is being provided and connections are being made during the Master's Kick-off. Nonetheless, this has certainly not reduced the sense of involvement, believes organizer Schoumacher. “We are noticing, for example, that this year more than ever the departments are involved in the program  and that students can follow many more presentations. In terms of the content, it really is very good.”

You will see more about the Master's Kick-off later in our video report by our reporters Cristina Nistor and Kevin Tatar. And you can follow the updates on our social channels, especially via our stories on Instagram.