The University of Twente, located in the Netherlands, and University of Waterloo signed their first Research Agreement in 2016, but have been collaborating since 2007 when Twente visited Waterloo to kick-start relations. Since that development, with the support of a presidential visit in 2022, our partnership has effectively collaborated in the areas of bioengineering & biotechnology, health, and nanotechnology – with an interest in expanding into water. Waterloo International has been thrilled to steward the Twente/Waterloo Strategic Collaboration Grants (SCG) with our colleagues at Twente.
The four funded teams were selected from 19 completed applications submitted by researchers, bringing together over 50 colleagues in the process. All of the projects can be tied to the universities’ strategic objectives. Please find brief summaries for each team and their project included below.
Subject matter experts from the four research areas of bioengineering & biotechnology, health, nanotechnology, and water at each institution collaborated to carefully weigh the applications based on a framework that considers the following:
- How closely does the project show potential impact upon each university’s strategic priorities – namely, the University of Twente’s Shaping 2030 and the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures, Strategic Plan 2020-2025, and Waterloo at 100?
- How feasible and realistic are the prospects for stated impact that the project anticipates achieving?
- What are the prospects for continued impact beyond the funding timeframe (including prospects for subsequent external funding)?
Eight awards of up to CAD $16,000/€11,000 have been awarded in pairs, with Twente and Waterloo each providing their side of the joint collaborative teams an award.
At Waterloo, the SCG fund has brought together diverse proposals from all six faculties and a number of institutes. Our Strategic Plan strives to provide direction in developing talent for a complex future; advancing research for global impact; and strengthening sustainable and diverse communities. The funded projects build upon these objectives and those of our partner’s strategic aims.
Waterloo International encourages continued collaborative activities with the University of Twente. If you are interested in building a relationship with your colleagues at Twente, please connect with Eric Jardin, International Relations Manager (Europe) at ejardin@uwaterloo.ca for Waterloo, and Margriet Dekkers, International Strategic Partnership Coordinator at m.a.h.dekkers@utwente.nl for Twente, either would be happy to assist you.
