Maastricht University

Digital debates focus on TikTok or Meta, but kids are often on Snapchat. A policy brief by UM FASoS' Katleen Gabriels shows how features like Snap Map shape privacy & social pressure—and how Studio Europa Maastricht structures research so it reaches policymakers and parents alike 👉 edu.nl/atmyb

Problem-Based Learning has shaped education at Maastricht University for 50 years. Founded in 1976 to bring academia closer to real-world practice, UM put PBL at its core. How has it evolved—and where is it heading next? Experts reflect on the past and future 👉 edu.nl/84rqg
#UM50 #PBL

The Dutch healthcare system could face a shortage of 265,600 workers by 2034—with nursing home care hit hardest. Researchers say collapse isn’t inevitable if we act now: improve working conditions, broaden recruitment and organise care smarter.

Read more: edu.nl/ahjf4

#HealthCare #FutureOfWork

TEFAF 2026 returns to Maastricht from 14–19 March, drawing art dealers, collectors, researchers and students from around the world. Maastricht University joins with heritage tours, a curator’s course and the TEFAF Summit.

See the full programme of all UM events during TEFAF: edu.nl/b6ygm

#TEFAF

Every year about 43 women are killed in NL in cases of femicide, most often by a partner or family member. New research by UM for the WODC examines how Dutch courts handle these killings and whether gender plays a role in legal reasoning. More 👉 edu.nl/fjmmd

#Femicife #InternationalWomansDay

Women are 51% of the EU population but hold just 38.5% of European Parliament seats after the 2024 election—the first drop in 45 years. UM Researcher Julia van Zijl explains to Studio Europa Maastricht the barriers women face in campaigns.

Full interview 👉 edu.nl/rpa43

@studioeuropa.bsky.social

Want to shape decisions at UM in 2026? 🗳️ Stand for election to a Faculty Council or the University Council and represent your fellow students or colleagues. Candidacy runs 9–13 March 2026.

Sign up via elections.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Curious what the councils do? Watch the video 👇

#UMElections

EDLAB turns 10 🎉 What began as Maastricht University’s teaching & learning hub is now launching a major 18-month study on AI in higher education: Future of Learning.

How will AI reshape knowledge, universities, the labour market — and even Problem-Based Learning itself?

Read more: edu.nl/pvtex

Missing Maastricht? 🎉

UM 50 Alumni Homecoming takes place on Saturday 23 May 2026 as Maastricht University turns 50. Revisit your faculty, reconnect with classmates, and celebrate 50 years of memories, games, food & festivities.

600+ alumni signed up. Will you be there? 👉 edu.nl/q7dm8

#UM50

Master's Open Day Recap 🎓

It was great to see many prospective students in Maastricht last Saturday! From exploring our Problem-Based Learning approach to 1-on-1 chats with our ambassadors, we hope the day provided the clarity needed for the next step.

📸 Photo album: edu.nl/rxec8

#MastersOpenDay

Medical student Lily Hilt is improving student mental health in Maastricht. Through Door Het Geluid, she helps students recognise warning signs, tackle stigma & find support. Her message? Ask more often how someone is really doing. Read more: edu.nl/w7bdh

#UM50 #MentalHealth

€1.5M Vici grant for UM researcher Anique de Bruin 👏

She wins one of the Netherlands’ biggest research awards, funding 5 years to research her project ‘Silence the Struggle’. Focus: why students delay work and use poor study strategies in order to reduce dropout and improve success.

🔗 edu.nl/xw6hr

Muscles keep us independent as we age — but they rely on tiny blood vessels. 🫀

PhD research by Milan Betz shows this blood vessel network delivers oxygen and nutrients that maintain strength and metabolic health. When it declines, mobility suffers.

How can we protect it? Read more: edu.nl/r6vef

Early-career researchers face short contracts, heavy teaching loads and pressure to publish — yet their voices rarely shape policy.

At Maastricht Young Academy, new chair Michelle Moerel and outgoing chair Jenny Schell-Leugers want to change that.

Read more: edu.nl/wcrk4

#MakeYourVoiceHeard

Pia Geffroy: a creative jack-of-all-trades

Maastricht University student Pia Geffroy blends pop and classical influences while honouring her father’s legacy—and learning that mental health matters as much as ambition.

Discover her story here 👉 edu.nl/ufgax

#StudentLife #Wellbeing

From whirlwind schoolboy to #CERN physicist, Marcel Merk’s curiosity still centres on one question: why is there something rather than nothing? His search through beauty quarks, collaboration and slow science shows how discovery really works. Read more 👇 edu.nl/4xeqq

Professors Hylke Dijkstra and Ron Heeren of Maastricht University have been appointed scientific members of the KHMW, the Netherlands’ oldest learned society (founded in 1752). Warm congratulations to both on this recognition of their work. Read more 🔗https://edu.nl/mt9uy

AI has helped scientists from Heerlen, Maastricht and Leiden confirm a mysterious Roman stone is a real board game—and even reconstruct its rules nearly 2,000 years later. The discovery pushes strategy games further back in time. Curious to play it yourself? 🎲 Read more: edu.nl/u6cgy

#AI

In UM’s 50th anniversary year, we look back at stories that shape our connection with the city. ‘University in the Neighbourhood’ shows how researchers and residents in northwest Maastricht created meeting places, dialogue and healthier lives together. Read the story 👉 edu.nl/y6w9f

#UM50

Stem op Gera Nagelhout voor de Vrouw in de Media Awards 2025! 🗳️ Gera, bijzonder hoogleraar aan UM, licht vaak de impact van financiële zorgen op gezondheid toe in de media. Jouw stem telt! Laat haar inspirerende stem niet ongehoord: edu.nl/4ugdr

#VrouwindeMediaAwards #StemOpGera

Spring sunshine, smiling faces and a great atmosphere ☀️ Last Saturday’s Bachelor’s Open Day welcomed 2,218 prospective students—two thirds from the Netherlands. Turnout stayed high and feedback was very positive. Curious about the vibe? Watch the photo recap 👇

#BachelorsOpenDay #StudyAtUM

Heated tobacco isn’t a safe alternative to cigarettes, new research from Maastricht University and RIVM shows. Emissions still contain harmful substances, and short-term health effects are already measurable. Marketing claims don’t match the evidence. Read more 👉 edu.nl/kymxg

#PublicHealth

🎥 Aftermovie – 50th Dies Natalis of UM

A jubilee edition in the Basilica of St. Servatius where past, present and future met. From honorary doctorates and royal presence by King Willem-Alexander to awards, innovation and a musical finale by André Rieu. Watch the celebration👇

#UM50 #DiesNatalisUM

AI is transforming society — but without ethics, the consequences are real.

UM FSE's new Master’s in Responsible Data Science trains the next generation of IT professionals to build transparent, fair and sustainable AI systems.

Applications are open: lnkd.in/gwKtSFFm

#DataScience #EthicalAI

From stand-up stages to innovation sessions 🎤➡️💡 Psychologist Michaël Van Damme now helps organisations collaborate, brainstorm and turn research into real-world impact—with humour along the way.

Discover his UM50 story on the new website: edu.nl/h3yd6

#UM50 #50YearsofUM

Prof. Stef Kremers is working towards a smoke-free Randwyck campus at Maastricht University 🚬🚫 Smoking remains one of the biggest preventable health risks, making prevention, cessation and policy vital for public health. Read how his research is driving change 👉 edu.nl/tupt7 #PublicHealth #NoSmoking

Depression treatments don’t work for everyone. New research from Maastricht University shows how heart-rate responses during brain stimulation can help personalise where the brain is stimulated — making therapy more precise and potentially more effective. 🧠❤️
Read more 👉 edu.nl/bhq4k

Europe can no longer outsource its security. As US focus drifts and Russian aggression persists, fragmented defence and veto politics leave Europe exposed. Real autonomy means joint defence, shared strategy, and stronger societal resilience. Read more: edu.nl/k6jup

#EuropeanSecurity #Defence

Roger Cox awarded honorary doctorate at #UM50 👏🏅

Climate lawyer Roger Cox received an honorary doctorate from UM’s Faculty of Law for his impact on climate law. “The interest of nature, the poor, children, and future generations are worth fighting for”.

Watch the video 👉 edu.nl/63bum

#UM50

Peter Stenvinkel has been awarded an honorary doctorate during Maastricht University’s 50th Dies Natalis 👏

A pioneer in planetary & climate health, his interdisciplinary work bridges nephrology, sustainability and society.

🎥 Watch here why his research matters 👇

#UM50 #DiesNatalisUM