The common thread mentioned earlier was physically present as well: in purple and red. Because these two colors in two smooth ribbons now represent the collaboration between Fontys and the TU/e, which was confirmed in a covenant this morning. The two higher education institutions will collaborate more. It did not go unnoticed for who was on campus at the time: a speedster in one of the racing cars of University Racing Eindhoven personally handed over the papers to the minister.

The minister is visibly impressed by all the interdisciplinary collaborations that takes place at and around TU/e. From the examples in innovation Space - where two students from the GOAL 3 student team talk about their contactless patient monitor that can improve healthcare in developing countries - to interesting applications of molecules, such as a heart valve that grows with the body and coatings for bendable screens as well as Artificial Intelligence applications against corona via the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI). Throughout the campus, scientists with different backgrounds work together on social challenges.

The minister calls this “a time of fantastic challenges” to which Isabelle Reymen, scientific director of innovation Space, immediately responds: “Definitely, for example when the Muziekgebouw asked our help on how to open the building safely again. We recently completed that case.” The minister is pleased with the collaboration in the region: "It is great to see not only the different scientific disciplines working together, but also the companies being involved."

Dutch or English

During the visit, the language of education is also discussed: English is increasingly dominant at TU/e. But that also has its reasons, TU/e rector Frank Baaijens explains: “We also need different perspectives to find answers to the global challenges, for which it is important that Dutch and international students work together. It is also the case that if we want to teach certain programs in Dutch only, we already exclude a large part of our academic staff from teaching.”

The minister immediately responds to this, looking at Ines Lopez Arteaga from Spain, dean of the Bachelor College, and Johanna Höffken from Germany, teacher of Innovation Sciences. Both teach in Dutch. The minister expresses her admiration for this and asks where they have learned the language. "With the nuns in Vught," Lopez replies, and for Höffken her Dutch partner appears to have had a good influence on her language development.

Not much later, Höffken receives the ISO award for excellent teaching from the minister. “The best thing about this award is that it really is a prize from the students. The jury found your passion catching and was impressed by your sharp ideas to make the world a better place.”