UM Education Days 2024 event highlights
The UM Education Days have become a cherished tradition at Maastricht University, bringing together educators, researchers, students, and staff from across the university’s diverse faculties. Held at EDLAB, UM's Centre for Teaching & Learning, the event is an annual opportunity to share knowledge, explore new teaching practices, and build connections within the academic community.
Save the date! The next Education Days are scheduled for 11-12 June 2025.
This page summarises UM Education Days 2024, including a video impression, participants' views and a photo gallery. We hope it captures the spirit of a productive and motivating event where people connected, shared ideas, and explored new ways to approach education.
Watch our video
Read more about the event
Discover participants' impressions
View our picture slideshow
Missed the UM Education Days 2024 or want to feel the vibe again? Watch the video!
UM Education Days: A celebration of collaboration, creativity, and connection
Collaboration across faculties
Participants valued the opportunity to connect with colleagues they don't often see, as well as to present and discuss diverse expertise and teaching approaches. “The UM Education Days bring together all the faculties within the university,” said Martijn Weyenberg, Project leader of Match Maastricht. “It’s a two-way exchange, and you're actually always learning things from other people"
"Everyone's got such broad experiences,” observed Donna Carroll, Educational training developer at EDLAB, who enjoyed seeing the diverse teaching methods presented at the event.
The UM Education Days in pictures
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Photography by Joey Roberts
Exploring creative and experimental approaches to teaching
The UM Education Days showcased a range of creative and experimental teaching practices. Colleagues were encouraged to embrace new approaches without being constrained by traditional methods.
Participants explored various ways to make learning more engaging and effective, with some sessions taking participants outside the traditional classroom environment or experimenting with robotics. “It’s about being brave, trying out new approaches, and involving students in the process,” Donna said.
Participants' views: "The Education Days are for, by, and with the community"
Tim Henneman, student participant (SBE): "As a student, I valued the opportunity to see education researchers present their research and to get to talk to my educators."
Burak Can, presenter (SBE): "The most important thing I learned today is that creation and letting people create, make, and innovate is one of the most powerful ways of empowering them."
Niels van der Baan, presenter (FHML): "I went to the Education Days early in my PhD and I got to know a lot of people immediately.”
Lars Eijssen, participant (FHML): "It's great to see how other colleagues apply concepts that you can use in your teaching."
Carolina Cicati, presenter (LAW): "The most important thing I’ve learned today is how to incorporate interactive game cards into mentorship programmes during tutorials.”
Ellen Bastiaens, director EDLAB: "The Education Days are a great platform to meet, to exchange, to learn with each other and from each other. They're for, by, and with the community.”
Cristina Mancigotti, participant (SBE): "As capacity development programme coordinator, I'm interested in finding out best practices regarding the evaluation of learning and follow-up activities.”
Pavlina Eftimova, student participant (FSE): “As a student,I gained valuable insights into what it is like to be on the other side of education—seeing how courses are designed and taught, seeing the perspective of the educators.”
Diana Dolmans, presenter (FHML): “I attended the workshop on adaptive expertise, where I learned that it's crucial for students to develop adaptive expertise instead of just being routine experts."
Engaging students in the educational process
Pavlina Eftimova, a student participant, appreciated seeing the educational process from the perspective of educators. “It’s fascinating to see how courses are developed and to share our views with those who design them.” This dialogue enables a more holistic understanding of education, where feedback and collaboration lead to continuous improvement.
Looking forward
As the UM Education Days 2024 ended, participants expressed hope that the event would continue to grow and evolve, drawing in more members of the university community each year. “I hope the event attracts even more colleagues and becomes a longstanding tradition at Maastricht University,” said Perry Heymann, Policy Officer at UM's Corporate Information Office.
For anyone passionate about education, the UM Education Days are about more than just sharing knowledge—they are about building a community that values learning, creativity, and collaboration.
We look forward to welcoming you at the next UM Education Days on 11-12 June 2025!