What is special about this partnership is its integrated approach, which combines technology and engineering with the humanities, STEM and social sciences, to address societal issues such as climate change and societal inequality. We plan to start a joint master's specialisation in Sports Data Science at the University of Twente in the 2021–2022 academic year, which will also be available at VU Amsterdam a year later. In addition to Mechanical Engineering, more technology and engineering bachelor's programmes will be offered, starting with Creative Technology and Technische Bedrijfskunde (Technology Management).
This expansion of the curriculum fulfils our ambition to respond to the demand in the labour market for highly educated, technically skilled people who want to make real contributions to society. Our partnership with the University of Twente began in 2019. It allowed students living in North Holland to study engineering closer to home. By offering an engineering bachelor's programme in Amsterdam, both universities want to get more young people interested in technology and engineering. Research has shown that many young people from North Holland who were interested in studying technology and engineering ended up opting for a different field of study because there were no programmes available in their region.