With approximately three thousand staff members and some ten thousand students, campus is a bustling place from time to time. A community is a group of individuals who share and cherish one or more aspects. A university community is characterized by education and research, both in of learning and practicing. The way we tackle problems within that society is characterized by academic thought. Since many of our community members are in a stage of intense development, shaping or being shaped is fundamental.  

The best community also provides a sense of belonging, security, support, recognizable identity, joy, and common values. You want to be part of that society at functional meetings as well as at informal events that center around having fun and feeling connected.

That’s why there’s more than just education and research: Studium Generale offers a program for an overall mental development that includes lectures, workshops, cultural activities, and events. And for development and improvement of the body, we have an excellent sports center. And so the shaping becomes more all-encompassing.

Study associations, student associations, and student athletic clubs are an integral part of the university community, as they are run by students, and meant for students. Their youthful spirit should always predominate.

If all the above is abundantly present, then are we not a community? Yes we are, but not in every respect. To warrant a feeling of security and safety within a group, constant attention is required. Do outsiders and newcomers feel welcome and included at all? Students and staff from abroad especially look for something to fall back on in a new country that has a different culture and distinct customs. You’re a stranger in another climate, figuratively speaking - and quite literally as well.

The sense of community among foreign students and staff as well as the rest of university is becoming more and more important to STU, SSCE, the Graduate School, and many others. The ideal image? A beautiful, bustling campus that’s welcoming 24/7.

Apart from scheduling functional meetings, a strong community cares for the well-being of its members. As a campus, we want to help people be well-balanced – intellectually, emotionally, and physically. In order to achieve that goal, we’ll be emphasizing on the ‘well-being of the community’ ever more.

I’d like to launch an initiative with students, staff, and alumni, and with those who’ve been working on this issue actively already lately. Its working title will be WELLCOMM. Over time, I want us to be able to say TU/e has a wonderful university community at her compact campus, one where you feel welcome and at home. Even when stopping by after many years.