Uniting scientific talent and scientific experts
Thanks to the partnership agreement with Stichting Technasium, technasium pupils will be able to benefit from the knowledge and expertise at UM, discover the science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes (STEM) on offer there, and explore the available career perspectives (at Brightlands and other areas). UM lecturers will provide the pupils with expert guidance and supervision during their 'thesis', which is the final assignment in their exam year.

UM currently offers several science-related programmes and plans to develop more in the future. The university works in close collaboration with the Brightlands campuses in Limburg. The UM Faculty of Science and Engineering (a.o. data science, sustainability and natural science) and the UM Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (health and health care) will be involved in this partnership with the technasia. With this agreement, the partners hope to contribute to the retention of highly qualified scientific talent in Limburg.

About technasium education
The technasium is a national formula developed in 2004 for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at the senior secondary level (HAVO and VWO). There are currently 94 technasiums throughout the Netherlands. This form of education focuses heavily on research and design (R&D) and encourages pupils to work on relevant and practical STEM assignments in a project-based, team setting. These assignments are offered from the first year through to the exam year. Technasium pupils are introduced to different scientific professions and issues at an early stage, which helps them make carefully considered choices about their future career in this sector. Technasium education teaches pupils the competences and skills required of the applied science discipline, such as creativity, entrepreneurship and teamwork. For more information, visit www.technasium.nl.

About Maastricht University
Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands and, with 16,300 students and 4,300 employees, is still growing. The university stands out for its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education.

Thanks to its high-quality research and study programmes as well as a strong focus on social engagement, UM has quickly built up a solid reputation. Today it is considered one of the best young universities in the world.