BSA staying: UReka advocated keeping the binding study advice (BSA) with points standard for the time being. Minister Dijkgraaf of Education intends to change the current regulations and wants to make adjustments to this in the short term. At the University of Twente, students currently have to obtain at least 45 of the 60 credits in the first year of their bachelor’s programme in order to continue the programme. We believe this ensures the quality of project-based education, and the numbers show students drop out during the first year, unlike higher dropouts during the third year before the BSA introduction. This had financial and well-being implications for a lot of students in the past. Read more here.

Abolishment of the 0/15 EC rule: The TOM 2.0 model acknowledges the good points of TOM, like projects related to the other courses of a module, however the programmes themselves can decide upon how the ECs will be accredited.

Employability of International Students: Formed a specific work group to work on opportunities/strategies that support international students and their employability in the Dutch labor market. Since 2022, the minor Going Dutch! has been established, and is continuously improving for the upcoming years! The work group is looking into Master integration possibilities, as a response to keeping Talent in Twente and integrating international students into the Netherlands and the Region.

Free Sanitary Products: In cooperation with Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Office and P-Nut, UReka worked on the implementation of a pilot and continuation of bathrooms with sustainable sanitary products for menstruating people. Bathrooms in Techmed and Ravelijn had free emergency products and the work group continues to brainstorm new initiatives on Equity and Diversity, also participating in Wellbeing Weeks. Read more about #PeriodT.

Co-optation: Supported the co-optation issue in a constructive, responsible manner in which all stakeholders are respected.

Activism and TOM 2.0: We were informed that some Examination Regulations make it difficult for full-time board members to complete their studies without unnecessary study delay. UReka worked to maintain this form of activism as a justifiable reason to not create an additional delay.

FOBOS: For the past year FOBOS has been on UReka’s agenda. In 2023, after careful discussion, the FOBOS budget was managed to be extended, in order to provide more funding for full-time boards and the sixth board member. These funds came from shifts in FOBOS allocation.

Students from Crisis Countries: In 2022 and 2023, UReka has fought to increase the communication of opportunities and updates for students influenced by a crisis situation. This was a quick response to the Russo-Ukrainian war and Iranian protest movements. We have advocated for a more up-to-date crisis policy and easier communication lines.