University of Twente
Kennispark Twente is closely related to the University of Twente, the entrepreneurial research university in the Netherlands. The university’s focus is to support and provide technological development and its management in the knowledge society. The University of Twente is unique in its excellence in education and research, its engineering approach to solve current problems in society and industry and the combination between technological and social disciplines.
The University of Twente has a matrix organization: faculties run the educational programmes, while research institutes run the multidisciplinary research programmes.
Research Institutes
The university’s research is structured in 6 research institutes, which combine scientific excellence with societal relevance. Their cross-discipline staff allows researchers to combine their strengths into strong research programs. Through these research institutes, the university helps developing social and technological innovation.
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Institute for Biomedical Technology (BMTI) (250 employees) |
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Centre for Telematics and Information Technology (CTIT) (500 employees) |
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Institute for Nanotechnology (Mesa+) (500 employees) |
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Institute for Mechanics, Processes and Control-Twente (IMPACT) (500 employees) |
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The University houses, 8000 bachelor and master students and 800 Ph.D. students, of which 302 are international. The University of Twente is one of the four Intel preferred educational-institutes. In addition the UT is an official Microsoft ally.
Entrepreneurship
The University of Twente is the entrepreneurial university. This means that the university actively promotes entrepreneurship among its students and staff through various programmes. Kennispark Twente is the main vehicle for the promotion of entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of knowledge.
As a result of these programmes, the University of Twente has the highest spin-off ratio in the Netherlands. In 20 years over 700 companies have originated from the university. Many were launched with the TOP programme (Temporary Entrepreneurial Positions), providing basic funding and coaching. These companies have a 5-year survival rate of over 70%, leading to almost 10,000 jobs to date. Furthermore, the university has about 130 student-run companies.