Challenging future generations

Strategic alliance TU/e, WUR, UU and UMC Utrecht

Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Utrecht University (UU) and the Utrecht University Medical Centre (UMC Utrecht) work together as the ewuu alliance in a unique way. Unique because of the complementarity of available knowledge and talent. We believe that solutions to the major challenges facing our future can only be achieved if there is intensive collaboration across the boundaries of knowledge, institutions and programmes. As a result of this collaboration, our scientists and students are supported and guided towards making breakthroughs in research and to help solve a number of major issues for society.

Focus on impact

Together we realize the broadest combination of knowledge and within this we choose to focus on young top talent and those areas where we can have the most impact, namely the necessary system transitions on energy, nutrition, health and circular society, among others. We will make joint investments in this area. We work across the borders of the institutions, certainly also with partners outside our organisations, thus developing an ecosystem where talented people can find each other to solve the currently unimaginable problem.

Our priority areas

 

Preventive Health: Ground-breaking research into interventions that promote healthy living, taking into account the lifestyle, circumstances and characteristics of individuals. All events and activities directed towards achieving this through the alliance are initiated and managed by the institute 4 Preventive Health or the i4PH. The institute 4 Preventive Health strives for all Dutch people to live in good health for at least five years longer, and to decrease the health differences between the lowest and highest socio-economic groups by 30. They use an integrated interdisciplinary approach that allows for a more holistic understanding of the complex challenges facing preventive health and the potential to drive scientific breakthroughs that will lead to improved health outcomes for individuals and society.

Circular Society: Contribute to the transition to a climate-neutral society by creating concrete, inspiring, scientifically substantiated visions of what a circular future might look like. The institute 4 a Circular Society or the i4CS was setup to focus on achieving these goals and is dedicated to expediting the transition to a circular society. Through research, cross-disciplinary education, and impactful collaboration, the institute empowers both university students and professionals across industries, social organizations, and governments.

Challenging future generations

With this collaboration, we are even stronger in achieving mission-driven knowledge development based on science, which helps to solve problems our society is confronted with. We challenge young scientists and students to push their boundaries together and to facilitate them optimally by giving them the space to develop new insights beyond the boundaries of their knowledge. The core of the approach is to let the curiosity of the scientists take the lead and not to limit them with publication objectives.

We bring together teams that are given room to develop cooperation on societally relevant themes. These can be transdisciplinary research links, but also groups of students working on a graduation project through challenge-based education or teams of employees who improve support processes and facilities. Based on the priorities of the four partners, we choose the subjects for which groups are actually formed.

The collaboration is daring. The results are uncertain and unpredictable. We see such an approach as necessary to contribute to the transitions that society is facing. All the activities carried out by the alliance are centered around three operational branches

  • Research
  • Education
  • Community building

Research

The four partners of the alliance, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Utrecht University (UU), and University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) collaborate across a diverse spectrum of scientific research. By pooling their expertise, these four partners amplify the collective impact of their research efforts. Their collaborative focus centers on addressing societal challenges related to health, energy, food, and sustainability.

Alongside the priority focus areas, Preventive Health and Circular Society, research programs in Living Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Health are also supported by the alliance through the Center for Living Technologies and a AI team. Additionally, the establishment of the Centre for Unusual Collaborations fosters interdisciplinary connections among the Young Academies of the four institutions.

All these initiatives support the ambition to stimulate new generations of researchers and students to find creative solutions to the scientific, cultural and societal challenges of tomorrow.

Education

We strive to prepare and equip students and researchers with the ability to integrate knowledge from diverse fields and apply it to real-world problems, while working across disciplinary boundaries. We are collaborating with social partners to develop innovative teaching concepts within the alliance, where students will learn to apply insights from multiple disciplines to solve specific problems. These Challenge Based Learning initiatives helps students develop skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are highly valued by employers. For professionals, we are designing interdisciplinary programs that align with the current demands of employers and employees.

Through the alliance, our students will have the opportunity to take electives at all partner institutions, and we are promoting this mobility by removing administrative barriers. Students are able to attending courses at several universities with the press of a button via the award winning platform EduXchange.nl.

With a holistic societal view, the alliance also offers opportunities (re)training opportunities professionals to meet societal challenges. This is done through the Life-Long Learning (LLL) team.

Events and community building

Throughout the year, lectures, symposia and workshops are organized towards the specific priority areas of Preventive Health and Circular Society. The Alliance also organizes various events and activities in other interdisciplinary areas.

The annual Event of the Alliance showcases the impact created as the result of the collaboration between the institutions. Below, you can register for the upcoming event and get a glimpse of the annual events of the past years.  

Conference 2024 : With the theme Navigating Transitions, the conference aims to initiate discussions on how can science and education contribute to navigating societal transitions during challenging times. The event will take place on Wednesday 24 April 2024, between 12.00 – 17.00. at TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht and you can register here

An overview of the annual conferences from previous years can be found below

 

Our partners

For more information about the former Utrecht – Eindhoven alliance, read more here.