ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Best Teacher Awards

Each year during MomenTUm, we proudly present the Best Bachelor Teacher and Best Master Teacher awards. This year, six outstanding teachers have been nominated for these honors. 

All nominees will be evaluated by members of the Student Advisory Body based on the following criteria:  

  • Passion 
  • Interaction 
  • Impact on development of students 
  • Vision on higher education 
  • Innovation  
  • Critical thinking 
  • Uniqueness 

While the spotlight is on the nominated teachers, we recognize that great education is a team effort. Behind every excellent teacher stands a dedicated team that contributes to delivering high-quality education. This award is not only a celebration of individual excellence but also a tribute to the collaborative spirit that drives educational success. 
 
The Best Teacher Award includes an Educational Innovation Grant of €15,000 for each winner. The other nominees will each receive €3,000. These grants are intended to support educational innovation or the professional development of the teacher and/or their teaching team.  

In addition, all nominees will receive a custom-designed statue created especially for the Best Teacher Awards.  

We proudly present our nominees!

The winners of 2025

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Nominee Best Bachelor Teacher

Henk Swagten

APPLIED PHYSICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION

Henk's passion for teaching is fueled by the immense energy he gains from carefully explaining complex physics concepts. He strives to achieve this by continuously reflecting on how students perceive his lectures and adjusting the level and language accordingly. In addition, he enjoys engaging his audience by incorporating stylistic variety throughout his lectures to maintain attention, using everyday objects to illustrate Maxwell's equations, and delivering lively, impactful in-class demonstrations. Over the years, he has developed numerous physics demonstrations to support his enthusiastic teaching style and help students visualize key concepts. 

Henk creates a safe and welcoming environment in both lectures and guided self-study sessions, encouraging students to engage in open discussions about the course material. 

Even in large plenary lectures—with over 200 students—he encourages discussion of newly introduced concepts. Recently, he has been using a Catchbox microphone, which is tossed around the lecture hall between teacher and students, to effectively involve students in sharing their conceptual insights. This approach has been well received and has led to engaging and thought-provoking discussions. 
 
Henk is distinguished by his structured and clear teaching style, while also creating an engaging learning environment. His deep understanding of the subject is evident in the way he breaks down complex concepts into logical, digestible steps. He is highly attuned to the atmosphere in the lecture hall and adapts his teaching accordingly, keeping students motivated and focused throughout his explanations. 

Henk is distinguished by his structured and clear teaching style, while also creating an engaging learning environment.

Floor van Schie

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Floor knows how to engage students by connecting Architecture and Structural Design in an accessible and inspiring way. She guides students through design challenges, helping them explore how structure and architecture can inform and strengthen one another. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on projects, Floor ensures that students develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills. She takes the time to support each student’s growth, encouraging experimentation while maintaining a clear focus on structural logic and architectural expression. 

Floor often shares small, personal anecdotes; whether from her daily work or experiences like renovating her home. These spontaneous and relatable stories can arise during project hours, while waiting for the elevator, or even during Thursday drinks at the Skybar!Underground. They add a human and engaging dimension to her teaching. 

Having completed her studies only a few years ago, Floor remains closely connected to student life. This makes it easy for her to relate to students and build meaningful connections. Despite her involvement in impressive projects, she remains humble and approachable. She treats each student and their work with openness and curiosity, always thinking along with them and helping them move forward, especially when they feel stuck. 

Floor is committed to creating an inspiring and socially safe learning environment where students feel confident to ask questions, collaborate, and learn from their mistakes. She brings energy, time, and passion to her teaching, always striving to help students succeed in their courses and projects. Her positive attitude is balanced with a critical eye, and her patience and attentiveness make her approachable for both academic and personal conversations. 

Through her anecdotes and enthusiasm, Floor reveals the beauty of the Built Environment, offering students a glimpse into the still unfamiliar professional world they are preparing to enter. At the same time, she reminds students that studying is just one part of life. When someone is struggling—academically or personally—she emphasizes the importance of staying healthy, enjoying the journey, and accepting that not everything has to go perfectly. 

Through her anecdotes and enthusiasm, Floor reveals the beauty of the Built Environment, offering students a glimpse into the still unfamiliar professional world they are preparing to enter. 

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Nominee Best Bachelor Teacher

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Winner Best Bachelor Teacher

Loe Schlicher

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION SCIENCES

Given that Loe’s course material is considered challenging, his enthusiastic teaching style and approachable demeanor make a significant difference. To foster an inspiring learning environment, Loe invites senior students to act as student assistants during tutorials. Many of them return for multiple years—demonstrating the open and transparent atmosphere he creates—and some even become involved in industrial research projects. Loe also maintains contact with alumni for research collaborations and guest lectures. 

His passion for education is further reflected in his active involvement during open and experience days, as well as his willingness to support high school students with their profielwerkstuk. Loe’s door is always open: he readily writes sincere recommendation letters for study abroad applications, advises students on relevant master’s programs (even outside ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø), and discusses job opportunities. Despite his detailed and well-structured lecture notes being available online, many students still attend his lectures—testament to the engaging way he teaches. 

Loe’s use of the chalkboard may seem a bit old-fashioned, but it helps students follow his reasoning step by step. He encourages interaction through in-class discussions on real-life cases, sparking critical thinking. To further improve his teaching, he actively seeks feedback during the quartile. Outside the classroom, Loe also values connection—joining study trips or serving as a jury member for the ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Innovation Challenge. 

 At the start of each course, Loe shares personal anecdotes, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. As a mentor for both bachelor’s and master’s students, he fosters an open environment where students feel safe to express themselves. At the end of each project, Loe prepares a personalized speech for the student, which is always appreciated. 

Loe’s course is very challenging, but his enthusiasm and approachable style create a learning environment where students feel supported and genuinely inspired to meet the high course expectations.

Robert van Dongen

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Robert teaches complex and contemporary challenges in the Built Environment, such as healthy urban living, circularity, and future-proof mobility. His courses combine theoretical depth with practical and innovative applications, closely connected to ongoing research and professional practice. Students are encouraged to think critically and develop creative solutions to real-world problems. 

Students consistently note that Robert genuinely enjoys teaching his field—and that enthusiasm is contagious. It keeps students engaged and motivated to perform well. In his course System and the City, Robert not only teaches in lecture halls but also organizes small, voluntary excursions around campus. These outings allow students to see how theoretical concepts are applied in real-life settings. His ability to present course material in a creative and engaging way makes learning both enjoyable and effective. 

Robert knows how to challenge students appropriately. He understands their academic level and recognizes that interests vary. He takes the time to identify which aspects of a project resonate with each student, tailoring the challenge to make it meaningful and motivating. 

Robert believes learning is a process and that students need space to grow. He maintains an open-door policy and stays after lectures to answer questions or discuss topics one-on-one. His accessibility—before, during, and after class—is a cornerstone of his teaching philosophy. 

Robert truly has the complete package. He possesses deep and broad knowledge—not only in his area of expertise—and knows how to convey it at the right level. He stands in front of the class as a knowledgeable teacher, but with a human and approachable touch. 

Students consistently note that Robert genuinely enjoys teaching his field—and that enthusiasm is contagious.

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Winner Best Master Teacher

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Nominee Best Master Teacher

Hans Kuipers

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND CHEMISTRY

Hans is deeply committed to helping students who struggle with the course material. He regularly offers individual sessions to explain complex topics on a personal level, going beyond group instruction. He is even willing to set aside his own time if it means helping a student gain a better understanding. Hans genuinely believes that every student has the potential to succeed and sees it as his role to guide them toward that goal. 

His passion for the subject is evident and infectious. Students appreciate his clear explanations and the way he checks in during lectures to see if further clarification is needed. He actively encourages students to meet with him individually to discuss assignments and prepare for the final exam. Hans is always available before and after class to answer questions, which makes students feel he is approachable and genuinely invested in their learning. His presence during guided self-study sessions further demonstrates his dedication to both the course and the students. 

Many students note that Hans has perfected his teaching approach over the years. However, he remains open to change and innovation, adapting his methods to meet the evolving needs of his students. 

Even though his lectures are long, students remain engaged thanks to his enthusiasm and the interactive nature of his teaching. His energy and commitment prevent students from feeling overwhelmed, making the learning experience both effective and enjoyable. 
 

Hans has perfected his teaching approach over the years. However, he remains open to change and innovation, adapting his methods to meet the evolving needs of his students.

Alexander Serebrenik

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Alexander is deeply passionate about the subject he teaches and strives to share that passion with his students. He makes himself readily available for discussions and actively involves colleagues from both academia and industry who share his enthusiasm for empirical research. This gives students a well-rounded view of the course content and its real-world applications. 

Beyond his lectures, Alexander is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity within the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. He is also actively involved in various university committees.  

Alexander believes that both computing and academia should be spaces where people can be themselves. This belief led him to found Compass, a community that continues to grow even after his departure from the board. To build a personal connection with his students, he invites them for coffee during lecture breaks—often using his own badge to treat them. These informal moments, while waiting for the coffee machine, often lead to meaningful conversations about life and software engineering. 

What sets him apart, according to students, is his genuine interest in their wellbeing and his willingness to listen. This is reflected not only in course evaluations but even in online student communities like Reddit. 

Alexander sees education as a mirror—an opportunity for students to reflect on the world around them. He emphasizes that reality is often more complex than it appears and encourages students to look beyond the surface. 

What sets Alexander apart, according to students, is his genuine interest in their wellbeing and his willingness to listen.

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Nominee Best Master Teacher

Previous winners

Photo credits: Angeline Swinkels, Bart van Overbeeke, Cursor, Levi Baruch, Vincent van den Hoogen