Starting Monday 12 May, the interactive game YOUR TURN will be visiting the Inholland locations. Organised by Inholland in collaboration with Art Partner, this event invites you to pause and reflect on your own choices, beliefs, and the world around you — in a playful and accessible way.

• Play with cards, dice, and curiosity.
• Discover patterns, spark conversations, or just join in for fun.
• On your own or with others - it's up to you.

YOUR TURN invites you to explore, connect, and reflect. Because creating a safe, inclusive learning and working environment is something we do together – step by step, roll by roll.

Everyone is welcome! Drop by anytime between 10.00 and 15.00:

• Haarlem – Monday 12 May 
• The Hague – Wednesday 14 May 
• Amsterdam – Monday 19 May 
• Delft – Tuesday 20 May 
• Alkmaar – Wednesday 21 May
• Rotterdam - Thursday 22 May 

How do we make international students feel at home at Inholland University of Applied Sciences? This was the theme at the most recent Community of Practice (CoP) for Diversity on 30 January. Many international students find it difficult to find their way in the Netherlands and at Inholland. This lack of a sense of belonging can have a negative effect on their well-being and even lead to them dropping out. The CoP focused on initiatives that contribute to a smoother transition to – and a stronger sense of belonging at – Inholland. 

One inspirational initiative was suggested by Imani Hooi, an International Creative Business student and founder of Caribbean United in The Hague. Two years ago, she founded this community to bring together students of Caribbean descent or with an affinity for Caribbean culture. ‘Putting accommodation issues aside, I noticed that many Caribbean students are often treated like Dutch students. This in spite of the fact that they often encounter specific challenges, such as uncertainty about correct language use and unfamiliarity with practical issues.’ 

Cultural recognition 
Caribbean United organises low-threshold events for students to meet and share experiences. ‘We want to give students a sense of home, among other things with Caribbean food and music.’ In addition, Imani is completing a graduation research project on how to provide better support to Caribbean students. ‘A key finding was that cultural recognition is crucial. There are also differences within the Caribbean community. It is essential to be mindful of this as a university of applied sciences’, Imani explains.  

Another speaker at the CoP was Sheovan Deira, founder of the Surinamese student community SUHolland in Amsterdam. She recognises the challenges faced by international students, having moved to the Netherlands to study herself in 2022. As she speaks the language and has family here, she thought she was well prepared. ‘Although I started making preparations well ahead of time, I still faced many challenges, from applying for a citizen service number and opening a bank account to finding work. Companies actually had to apply for a work permit to hire me, and many didn’t want to. Many processes are unfamiliar to international students, which makes matters difficult.’ 

Workshops and guidance  
Her own experiences prompted Sheovan to take action. ‘I saw that many students were facing the same obstacles. If we share information earlier, we can make it easier for everyone.’ Thus was born SUHolland, a community where students can find practical information as well as conviviality and recognition. ‘Not only do we organise cultural events, like Keti Koti and Surinamese Christmas celebrations, but we also offer workshops and guidance. Our goal is for students to feel at home.’ 
 
Community building coordinator 
Jurio Maduro, lecturer in Social Work in The Hague and recently appointed as community building coordinator at Inholland, is equally aware of the problems that international students face. He himself came to the Netherlands from Aruba when he was 19. ‘It was exciting and new, but also a culture shock. Everything was different, from the education system and public transport to the way people interacted. I was lucky to have family here, but many students are on their own.’ 

His own experiences made him aware of the challenges awaiting international students. ‘I see students going through the same things as I did back then and running into the same problems. I often ask myself: what guidance would I have wanted when I was a student? How can we support these students?’ 

Jurio’s new position is all about building a community. ‘A community means not just a group of students who seek each other out, but an environment where they feel welcome. At Inholland, we want to create an ecosystem where students feel recognised and supported, and where they can and are allowed to be themselves.’ 

Why take part in the CoP? 
Both Imani and Sheovan stress the importance of meetings such as the CoP. ‘We often work in our own bubbles, but by coming together, we can learn from each other and strengthen each other’, says Sheovan. ‘At SUHolland, for example, we learned how important it is to contact students coming to the Netherlands in advance. This is already being done for Caribbean students, but not yet for Surinamese students. That’s something we have to address.’ 

Collective responsibility 
In addition, Jurio sees a broader responsibility: ‘A sense of belonging should be at the core of how we support international students. The figures don’t lie: since 2010, only 9% of Caribbean and Surinamese students have graduated. That means we have a collective responsibility as a university of applied sciences to improve this.’ 

The CoP provides a valuable platform to share knowledge and experiences and to seek solutions together. Would you like to contribute to a more inclusive environment for students and colleagues as well? Make sure you attend the next CoP! 

Contact
If you have any questions and/or ideas on how we can support Caribbean or Surinamese students, please contact Jurio at jurio.maduro@inholland.nl or call  06 1527 9398.

We are enormously proud that Mark Ommert, alumnus and former colleague of the Aviation Technology programme at Inholland University of Applied Sciences Delft, has been nominated for the prestigious Prins Friso Ingenieursprijs. Meanwhile, he is even one of the three finalists! This prize, awarded by the Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI), is intended for engineers whose innovative work makes a significant contribution to both their profession and society.

An impressive career
Mark is still young, but already has a multifaceted career behind him. Immediately after his studies, he gained valuable experience at sustainable aviation startups and played a key role in the development of the electric Dragonfly by Inholland. His experience is broad: from structural design and aeroelasticity to electric propulsion systems for aircraft. As co-founder and Engineering Manager of the Inholland Electric Flight Lab, Mark has made a crucial contribution to the development of electric aircraft. Over the past five years, he has worked closely with more than 200 students and teachers from Inholland Delft on innovative research and education for sustainable aviation. His work is bringing the certification and market introduction of sustainable aviation technology ever closer.

Towards sustainable aviation
Mark currently works as Project Manager at the Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG), where the Dutch ecosystem is helping in the transition to sustainable aviation. Because, as Mark himself says: ‘We really need to start flying more quietly and cleaner.’ His mission is clear: to inspire young engineers, strengthen industry cooperation and bring innovative technologies to market faster. His work has contributed to greater recognition for sustainability initiatives in aviation. He has also connected knowledge, promoted cooperation and helped position the Dutch ecosystem within the international aviation sector. Think industry, knowledge and educational institutions and government. As aviation is international, it is crucial to position the Dutch ecosystem globally to achieve societal impact, including more earning power and jobs for the Netherlands.

Founded in 2014, the AQUILO Rocket Team, is a unique student project from the Aeronautical Engineeringand Luchtvaarttechnolgie programs. The team comprises a group of enthusiastic students who design, build, test, and launch rockets together. Timo van Spelden, a former team manager, explains: "The AQUILO Rocket Team originated from an internship assignment. One of the Aeronautical Engineering students was tasked with building and launching a rocket. This was AQUILO I. The group working on it decided to continue, forming the current student team."

What Does the AQUILO Rocket Team Do?
The AQUILO Rocket Team is involved in designing and building rockets, managing almost everything in-house. "We create almost everything ourselves, except for a few electronic components and parts of the motor," says Timo. "One of our strengths is working with composites. We make lightweight but very strong rockets with excellent performance."

The team develops so-called "sounding rockets," used to conduct experiments in the upper layers of the atmosphere. What makes the AQUILO Rocket Team unique is that they design, test, and build their motors, unlike most other teams that buy off-the-shelf motors.

The Structure of the Team
The AQUILO Rocket Team is divided into five main departments. Each team member contributes to the success of the rocket missions.

The structural department plays a crucial role in building the rocket. They handle the fins, the nosecone, and the rocket's tubes, ensuring the design is sturdy and aerodynamic. These components are made from composite materials such as carbon fibre and fiberglass. These lightweight yet strong materials give the rocket a high-performing structure.

The electronics team deals with all the electronic aspects of the rocket. Both the software and hardware are made by AQUILO. This department ensures that the navigation, sensors, and communication systems work together perfectly. Without their efforts, the rocket would be blind and unable to collect crucial data.

The propulsion department is the heart of the rocket. Their expertise in solid propellant fuels is vital. The so-called fuel "Rocket Candy" is made by the team, making them one of only two rocket teams in the Netherlands to do so. A good motor design and fuel are essential for AQUILO's successful launches.

After the launch, the recovery team takes responsibility. They ensure the rocket returns safely to the ground. Using various parachutes and deployment techniques, they ensure the rocket remains undamaged after launch and can be reused.

Since one year, the team has expanded with a marketing department. This department increases AQUILO’s visibility through social media, the website, and promotional materials.

In addition to the five departments, AQUILO has a safety team. This team safeguards safety during all team activities, both at ASK ’t Harde and during CO₂ activation operations of the recovery system in the Delft region. Team members assess risks and reduce them where necessary when working with rocket technology.

The Dutch government aims to reduce all CO2 emissions to zero by 2070. This seems an impossible challenge  for future aviation engineers. How can we make aviation more sustainable? This question was central during ‘SWAPEC 2024: Future of Flight - A Runway to Sustainable Aviation,’ a symposium held at Rotterdam The Hague Airport organized by the student association V.S.V. Sipke Wynia of the Aeronautical & Precision Engineering program at Inholland University of Applied Sciences Delft. Interesting speakers and companies presented their innovations and discussed the challenges facing the aviation industry. The event offered students plenty of opportunities to meet industry professionals and explore their roles as future engineers.

SWAPEC stands for ‘Sipke Wynia Aeronautical & Precision Engineering Conference’ and was organized this year for the 42nd time. Why focus on sustainable aviation? “Because it is important to prepare young professionals for the drastic changes ahead,” says Kiki de Brouwer, chair of V.S.V. Sipke Wynia. The symposium attracted experts and representatives from both large companies and smaller startups, as well as students, researchers, and lecturers from the TU Delft and Inholland University of Applied Sciences. There was also an innovation market with demonstrations from NLR, Saluqi Motors, NRG2Fly, AeroDelft, Vaeridion, and Inholland. The day was chaired by Harm Edens, known from ‘BNR Duurzaam’ (podcast) and ‘Dit was het nieuws’ (TV).

“Extremely interesting to hear about the technological developments taking place and which companies are working on innovations to meet the ambitious goals for sustainable aviation,” says Tjalle Hanzens, a fourth-year Aeronautical Engineering student at Inholland Delft. “It is up to our generation to achieve the climate goals; it’s good to know what skills are expected of us.”

Dutch Ambitions 
Lodewijk Asscher, chairman of the Sustainable Aviation Table, kicked off the event. He emphasized the importance of (global) cooperation and the need for fair prices and kerosene taxes to stimulate innovation. "International travel is essential for building intercultural relationships and avoiding polarization. Instead of blaming individual travelers for pollution, we need to create a viable market and economy for sustainable flying, possibly supported by government subsidies.” He also called on students to help make companies successful in a changing world.

Knowledge Institutes 
Next, senior Airbus strategist Guido Schwartz presented Airbus’s approach to sustainable aviation: “Decarbonizing flights requires groundbreaking solutions that integrate new fuel types and technologies. Besides international cooperation, societal acceptance is also crucial.” Arvind Gangoli Rao, professor of sustainable aircraft propulsion at TU Delft, discussed the impact of new fuels and propulsion designs on emission reduction and aircraft designs, while Denise Eikelenboom from NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre) addressed the challenges around certifying new technologies. “It takes courage, perseverance, and especially time to meet all safety standards and develop new ones,” she stated.

Second-Year Project Award Ceremony 
After the lunch break, the award ceremony for second-year Aeronautical Engineering students took place. Their assignment? Design, build, test and fly a remote-controlled electric scale model airplane for extinguishing small fires. The four prototypes, which made their first flights the day before, were on display. “A hugely educational project,” said lecturer Rick van de Ploeg. “These students overcame technical challenges and learned to communicate and collaborate effectively.”

New Initiatives 
The afternoon highlighted various new initiatives. Ron van Baaren, CTO of Fokker Next Gen, represented the hydrogen movement, where the major challenge lies in convincing both technicians and investors of a kerosene-free future. Erik Geertsema, CEO of Conscious Aerospace, and Joseph Michaels presented strategies to accelerate the introduction of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems through retrofit solutions. And Hubert Blijie spoke about the AeroDelft project, in which mainly students from TU Delft and Inholland design, build, and test a liquid-hydrogen-electric two-seater aircraft.

Then the electric movement was spotlighted, with designs such as the Maeve M80, a hybrid-electric aircraft for 84 passengers from Maeve Aerospace, and the Microliner from Vaeridion, with battery engines in the wings. Finally, Joaquin Exalto, Aircraft Performance Engineer at Elysian Aircraft, explained the possibilities of battery technology for electric flights. A potentially shorter range is less relevant, according to him: "80% of all turboprop flights in Europe are less than five hundred kilometers."

Young & Disruptive 
The conference concluded with a panel discussion on the shortage of human capital in sustainable aviation. Young professionals Tessa Mennink (GKN Fokker) and Sjoerd Luijckx (TANIQ) spoke with industry experts Jolanda Stevens (KLM), Frank Jansen (NAG), and Victor Rijkaart (TU Delft). The urgency was clear: within ten years, 50% of the sector will retire. To prevent losing young talent to other sectors, established companies must become more attractive and respond to the needs of the new generation. Sjoerd: “Ensure ownership and give newcomers the chance to make an immediate impact.” Tessa also wants more commitment, as 2050 seems far off: “For that, we need new leadership and structures where talent can grow.” The advice: be transparent about sustainability performance, expand collaboration, and also involve suppliers and the energy sector.

Highly Successful 
The unique mix of speakers and the impressive turnout of industry leaders were, according to Inholland program manager Arnold Koetje, crucial to the great success of the symposium. “The panel discussion could have been a bit sharper, but the young professionals did an excellent job! This, combined with Harm Edens’ knowledge of sustainable developments worldwide, interspersed with a humorous note, made SWAPEC 2024 a very successful edition.”

Derrick Muluya (33) is an Aeronoutical Engineering student in Delft and moved to the Netherlands from Uganda. He is a swimming coach and started his own business as a personal coach.

I can’t stop till I find the solution
I see myself as someone who is good at solving problems. I can’t stop till I find the solution. As a student I work with analytical problems and technical solutions and use my brain. That’s what I call my ‘brain side’. My head understands it and just does it. But that is not my biggest passion.

People are my biggest passion. They fulfill me as a person. I just love helping people. Listening to them and thinking of how I can help them to become a better person.  

The part of finding a solution is also about having people around you, where you can all sit together and find the solution together. I like to facilitate that process. My role has always been to get people on board and motivate them to continue. Learning is a process, and it takes perseverance. At the beginning of the process everybody is excited but halfway some of them are down. I attend to help them to finish the other half.

The hard way
I was born and raised in Uganda. I met my Dutch wife there and moved to the Netherlands six years ago. I come from a challenging country where business development is not that easy. If you want to reach somewhere, you really need to put yourself out there and keep on trying. There is nobody knowledgeable enough and willing to help or guide you. I started more than 5 startups back home. All of them failed. The process was hard and painful. I learned it the hard way. The learning part is unavoidable and necessary, but the pain isn’t. If you could have somebody who holds your hand and gives some direction, it would be so much easier and perhaps less painful. Then I realized: that’s my role!

Swimming club in Uganda
When I was 22, a friend invited me to swim. I didn’t know what it was. So, I got there and jumped into the water. Then I realized that, even though I was scared, I was actually enjoying it. My friends and I were all over 20 years old. Nobody could swim. And continuing this hobby was also very expensive. So, we faced a new challenge, we decided to start a swimming club by ourselves. Can you imagine? Three boys without any swimming experience or money started a club. We split the roles and we decided that I would be the coach. And so, I learned swimming by doing and by teaching others how to. I fell in love with this sport. That was the start of my passion for coaching and swimming.

In the Netherlands I started swimming right away and nowadays I am a swimming coach at GoSwim in Houten. They asked me to become the head coach of the club in the near future. Big shoes to fill and I am proud of that.

I need to give it out
Every year people set goals which comes with a to-do-list. The problem is, they don’t reach it. I asked myself ‘why? And then I found out that it is all mental. Its all about being the better version of your mental self so that you can do what must be done to have the goals you set.

I started a business where I can coach people to really reach their goals. I take it from a holistic point of view. Most importantly it’s not about ‘how to’ but mainly about the ‘being’ part. I want to help you to ‘be’ who you can be, so you can reach your goals. If you don’t work on the things outside of reaching your goal, you are never going to achieve the actual goal. I work with a sport mentality in my coaching sessions. So, do you rest enough, eat good food, sleep enough, do you show up on time? Maybe we first need to solve other problems before we can work on your actual goal. It truly makes a difference. Your being is mostly mindset, and I am there to guide you into this process. I have this gift of helping people and of solving problems. I feel that I need to give it out. I can’t stop myself.

Found my missing pieces
I was still looking for some missing pieces in my process of starting up my own business.

A fellow student recommended me to join the Start program of Start Up Campus Haarlem in September 2023. I can tell: I found my missing pieces. Now I can clearly see it. I know what I need to do, who I need to call and what I need to put in my business plan in order to make it work.

If you are walking around with a potential business idea, I would say: just start! And if you are an Inholland student? The next step would be: start with SUCH, it will fast forward your ideas. And after that, my third advice would be to design your idea in such a way that it can move without you being part of it. If you can reach that third level in your mind, then you see every piece of the puzzle. And then? Launch it!

As of 3 p.m. code orange has been announced in South Holland by KNMI due to heavy thunderstorms. The thunderstorms are likely to cause damage and danger. KNMI is warning of flooding, large hailstones, falling trees, flying objects and lightning strikes.

Inholland University of Applied Sciences therefore advises students and staff to exercise caution when travelling to and from school. We also advise you to follow instructions from authorized bodies. In addition, keep a close eye on your e-mail for information on the possible cancellation of classes and/or tests. Finally, if necessary, leave home on time. Be careful if you do have to go out!

Joeri Verheul (22) Aeronautical engineering student, started his 3D printing service with J-St3ps and now has a paid hobby.

A fresh perspective on technical possibilities
"As a young professional, I am mainly taking steps to grow myself. Not only when it comes to entrepreneurship but also in daily life. I am learning to take responsibility for arriving on time, keeping appointments, and treating people with respect. That is part of professional behavior as far as I am concerned. If I close a deal with clients, they expect the same from me. I bring clients a fresh perspective on technical possibilities. Although I have a lot of knowledge of how 3D printing 'used to be', now I am really on the cutting edge of 3D printing. Thus, I combine 'old' techniques with the latest innovations. I think it is great that I can be a bridge in that.

Word of mouth versus social media
"I got involved in 3D printing in 2019 and then recently started as an entrepreneur. I work for companies that, for example, need parts to optimize their production process. Think of start-ups that don't yet have the money to invest in 3D equipment but need these innovative solutions. They have come to the right place.

I prefer to work in co-creation with companies. I think along with the customer, and I am sure of the quality of my product. My standard is above expectations with that personal approach. I now work mainly in Delft and deliver my products myself by bicycle. I like to see the face of the customer I work with. That appeals to people. I am active on Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, but I notice most customers come to me by word of mouth”.

Inspire people with my latest techniques
"I love making things but was never very good with my hands. However, I was good at drawing online/3D drawing. 3D printing is the fastest way to go from an idea to a tangible product. It was right up my alley.

In my third year of study, I did an internship at NLR. There I worked for six months in a very professional 3D printing environment. Based on that knowledge, I am building and expanding my setting. Besides delivering a product, I also like to share knowledge. I help companies realize how valuable 3D printing can be. Some have heard of it but think it doesn't apply to them. I like to prove them wrong!

I regularly attend trade shows to stay up to date with the latest developments. For example, I went to a trade show with a client in Paris. I was there as a visitor. But recently (May 13/14), I was at the Maker Faire in Delft with my stand. With my own stuff! I found that exciting but also fun. I want to inspire people with my latest techniques."

There is always a solution
"From February 2023, I am participating in SUCH's Start program. They give me the awareness component. I do many things that I don't have the right words for. Working on my business model and diving deeper into entrepreneurship added a lot of value.

The environment in which you learn is crucial. The nice thing about SUCH is that you all receive the same thing, but everyone adapts it to fit their business. Then you get to see the material applied in a particular way, which makes you learn even more. Everyone who joins the program wants to be there. That gives extra motivation.

I recommend it to everyone: just start and dabble. That is what I did, and it's working so far. Take that step, it will go wrong sometime, but there is always a solution if you communicate well.

Would you also like to have something 3D printed, or are you curious about a workshop by Joeri? Contact him on Instagram or LinkedIn."
 

As a student you are looking for pleasant, affordable and safe housing in the city where you study. This may sound simple, but things are different in practice. If you want to get your own room in your student city, you are often dealing with waiting times, high rents and (too) small rooms at locations you would actually prefer not to live. The student housing providers want to do something about this. They are going to build affordable student housing in your city, taking your housing needs into account. To do so, they need your input. 

Survey 
We are conducting a survey to find out how many students will be living in your city in the coming years and how these students want to live. This knowledge will be used to build enough student housing to meetstudents' needs. This research is carried out by student housing providers in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Universities of Applied Sciences and Research Universities. If you really want to make a difference in housing for students, please participate in this survey. 

Participation 
To participate, please click on the following link: www.wonenalsstudent.nl 

The survey consists of about 40 questions and takes around 10 minutes to complete. You can fill in the questionnaire using your smartphone, tablet or computer. The questionnaire will remain active until April 22.  Your answers will then be processed anonymously. 

How do I stay informed of the results? 
Results will be available on the website after the summer.

A new consortium of stakeholders within the Dutch space ecosystem is working together with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) to further exploit the potential of the space sector. With its winning proposal, the consortium has been awarded a two-year subsidy to roll out a campaign optimising the early stages of the entrepreneurial journey in the Dutch space sector, from idea to start-up and scale-up. Starting in 2023, the OneSpaceHub programme will expand and strengthen the network in the Netherlands to set out a trajectory geared towards excelling space related talent and entrepreneurship.

A national partnership
RVO’s One Single Hub programme focuses on partnerships of organisations such as incubators and accelerators as well as universities in the Netherlands that aim to improve facilities for innovative entrepreneurship. OneSpaceHub is a joint effort that was awarded a grant under this initiative. The project team led by NL Space Campus consists of Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk, University of Twente, PLNT Leiden Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Aerospace Innovation Hub, Hogeschool Inholland, Radboud University and Leidse instrumentmakers School. The consortium will lay the foundation for a permanent national partnership where talents from provincial programmes and different educational levels flow towards a strong space-tech and data-driven ecosystem.

Boosting entrepreneurship
The space sector is growing rapidly on a global scale. With an increasing amount of technology transfers, commercialisation, and data driven solutions flowing to other industries, the space sector has gained importance for the wider economy. Across the Netherlands there are various programmes in the field supporting entrepreneurship covering different aspects such as financing, valorisation, talent, and marketing. OneSpaceHub aims to make “a selection of excellent programmes” better aligned, more visible, and in particular broadly accessible. This will be achieved by bringing together the expertise coming from some of the best performing programmes in the most important early phases of entrepreneurship: education, activation, pre-incubation and incubation. To this end it will link, reinforce, and extend initiatives already in place to make this support accessible in the whole country. A uniform, efficient and accessible OneSpaceHub trajectory will be offered locally, hybrid (online and in-person), and eventually from every province to better facilitate and stimulate entrepreneurs along their growth path. The selection of complementary programmes will increase the chances of success for space related start-ups and scale-ups, and create an even bigger pull to attract new talent, ideas, business and knowhow. By connecting several local hotspots, entrepreneurs will have access to new collaborations and will be in a better position to grow, diversify, and reach new markets on a national and international scale.

Contact information
The mission of OneSpaceHub is to better facilitate and stimulate the entrepreneurial journey from education and pre-incubation to start-up and scale-up and to generate more space related start-ups and scale-ups in the Netherlands. If you want more information, please contact Parya Pasha Zadeh: p.pasha@utwente.nl. For further question on the involvement of Inholland in OneSpaceHub, please contact Erik Laan: erik.laan@inholland.nl