UT expands collaboration with ITESM, Mexico A connected community

On Tuesday, August 13, the residence of the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Mexico City was the setting for a joyful meeting between alumni and collaborators of the University of Twente (UT).

The occasion was special, as it celebrated the visit of UT's Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. A. Tom Veldkamp, who was in Mexico to renew and strengthen academic and research ties with the Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM). 

On August 12, 2024, the UT and the ITESM met to ratify  a collaboration agreement that will extend their current cooperation until 2027. This agreement not only strengthens existing cooperation in student exchange, cutting-edge research, and didactics, such as in the field of nanotechnology, but also expands the possibilities to creating a connected community that will contribute to a sustainable society by sharing knowledge and educational innovation. 

To commemorate this renewed collaboration, the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Mexico, Wilfred Mohr, hosted a reception at his residence in honor of Rector Veldkamp. Accompanying him from the UT were Karin Paardenkooper, advisor for international collaborations and responsible for Mexico, and Professor Arturo Susarrey, one of the Mexican professors at the UT and an active promoter of shared programs between Mexico and the university. Also in attendance was a large group of UT students and  alumni residingalumni in Mexico. 

During the reception, three former UT students shared experiences and highlighted the strong sense of community that characterizes this university. Tom Griffioen, a 2008 graduate of the Electrical Engineering program, Dafne Robles Molina, who earned her master's degree in Chemical Science and Technology in 2015, and Juan Ramón Lara Mora, a participant in the Biomedical Engineering exchange program in 2023, recounted how their time at UT allowed them to form meaningful and lasting connections, a core value of the UT educational experience. 

This meeting not only served to celebrate the achievements, but also to project a future full of new opportunities for educational and scientific collaboration between Mexico and the Netherlands. The extension of the agreement between UT and ITESM is a testament to the mutual trust and shared commitment to continue building bridges of knowledge between the two countries. 

The UT MEX-NL community is especially grateful to Karin Paardenkooper, who has been instrumental in creating and strengthening ties between professors, students and institutions in the Netherlands and Mexico. This was Karin's last working visit, as she will be retiring at the end of this month. The community deeply appreciated her dedication and the positive impact she has had on the growth of this bilateral relationship. 

For more information about the collaboration agreement between the UT and Tecnológico de Monterrey read:

• University of Twente. International Partnerships: Mexico.
• August 2024. Tecnológico de Monterrey signs educational agreement with University of Twente. Education, research, and knowledge transfer: the pillars of the agreement.
• November 2022. UT and Tecnológico de Monterrey, 25 years of collaboration.
• UToday article: UT Mexico week 2024

Alumni who shared their experiences

Testimonials

"Reconnecting with UT alumni reminds us of the incredible journey we shared. The vibrant atmosphere at the ambassador's house brought back memories of study nights and lifelong friendships. This joyful reunion helped us celebrate the roads we have traveled since then, as UTcontinues to bring us together. I'm excited to reflect on our past and build a future together!"

"It was wonderful to meet the Rector of the UT and the ambassador of the Netherlands in Mexico, and to exchange experiences with colleagues who have had similar experiences to mine during our stay in Enschede. Colleagues who have had similar experiences to mine during our stay in Enschede filled me with nostalgia and emotion for all that I experienced and learned in those distant lands.

Thank you for the experience!"

Had an incredible time reconnecting with fellow alumni and expanding my network at the Twente University event. It was inspiring to meet so many talented individuals and hear about their journeys since our university days. I was even surprised to meet someone from my hometown—what a small world! Proud to be part of this global community!

"The event was a great success! There was a very positive energy from all participants. The speeches were very moving; the alumni who shared their stories about the University of Twente and its campus gave us fond memories. In addition, there were reunions between people who had studied together years ago and had not seen each other for a long time. It was a real pleasure to have been part of this event! 

UT contact people: MEX-NL collaboration