/Voorpagina /Mensen /Nieuws /Opinie /Cultuur /Studentenleven /Achtergrond /English page /Onderzoek /Reportage /Bestuur /Ruis /Ranzigt /Colofon

/Faculteits Berichten /Vacatures /Mensa /Oude cursors /pdf formaat /TUE /Zoeken:

jaargang 43, 14 juni 2001 English page

Academic Transfer Soon Online in English Academictransfer.nl, an internet site featuring vacant positions at Dutch universities, is planning to go online in English by the new academic year. This is the first site of its kind on the European continent in any language. The UK has a commercial site catering to the UK and Commonwealth countries with which Academic Transfer is also co-operating (jobs.ac.uk). Academic Transfer was set-up by VSNU, Association of Universities in the Netherlands. Walter van den Elsen, manager of Academic Transfer comments: "About fifteen per cent of the people who visit our site are foreigners looking for jobs in Europe. Until now we have had to disappoint a lot of these people, although in some cases we have been able to refer them. Dutch universities want to reach these potential staff members more efficiently. Recruitment in English is the answer." Impact One quarter of foreign staff at TU/e initially found their way here through internet, recent research shows. Academic Transfer hopes to increase this percentage. "We at VSNU are researching the obstacles scientists encounter while pursuing an international career, this includes both foreign researchers in the Netherlands and Dutch scientists abroad. The solutions to the problems they face all entail providing more information. This is where our site can have great impact," says Van den Elsen. In Dutch, the site not only carries lists of vacancies with links, but also offers 'digital career planning', information on employers and conditions. "We have found that people are looking for well presented information, not for a bombardment of advertising. Academic Transfer polls visitors every half year on their opinion of the site," says Van den Elzen. "What we are building is a dedicated site on working in science in the Netherlands. We have had a lot of interest from commercial recruitment sites, but we want to limit ourselves to real research jobs." Employers who participate in Academic Transfer are all the Dutch universities and a number of research hospitals and scientific institutes (e.g. Nederlands Kanker Institute ­ or Dutch cancer institute). "Our goal is simple: to help our members find the staff they need. Our members spend 14 to 18 million guilders annually on recruitment. We think we can seriously improve their efficiency in this area and reduce costs." In the Netherlands, universities employ 50,000 people and research hospitals employ 30,000. Four to five thousand vacancies are posted at Academic Transfer every year. The site has some 80,000 hits per quarter. "We are an important platform for about 81,000 people working in science in the Netherlands who may want to change jobs at some point in their careers. We also list vacancies for support staff, such as computer personnel, secretaries and controllers. On average, we have about 350 jobs posted. This will increase to 500 now research hospitals in Maastricht and Groningen have joined us." European Transfer In future Academic Transfer hopes to offer information on research vacancies all over Europe. Van den Elsen is currently visiting Denmark to talk about setting up a similar service there. "To co-operate effectively with foreign sites, you need to make sure you have the same categories so that you can post the same vacancies." "With the new European laws, Dutch scientists can and do move around in Europe more easily. We feel a responsibility to the entire scientific community to supply information if possible, on vacancies, but also general details on working in various countries." In the short-term, Academic Transfer is planning an e-mail service for subscribers offering periodic summaries of vacancies, narrowed down to whatever parameters individual subscribers specify. This service should be online sooner than the European site Academic Transfer is dreaming of./.

Circus Renz Packs the House The Circus Renz tent was literally packed to the limit this Sunday afternoon during a special performance on campus. TU/e's staff association had organised this in connection with TU/e's 45th anniversary this year. Tickets were sold for the special price of 2.50. Those lucky enough to get a ringside seat at this internationally renowned circus, saw dreadful crocodiles, snorting horses, roaring tigers and four stomping elephants from close up. During a breathtaking tightrope act, one of artists almost fell to his death. The person involved was so relieved that it didn't seem to be an act. TU/e's student Physics Circus also did two performances. Photo: Bram Saeys.

TU/e Develops Transport System for the Future "TU/e is the testing grounds for future transport services," says ing. Marten Dijkshoorn, head of a pilot project, that may result in a 50 million guilder experiment after 2002. "In our protected TU/e environment it's not a problem if things go wrong. In fact, we can learn a lot from our mistakes." Dijkshoorn is to lead eight study groups in a project to find out if it is possible to develop transport services for the year 2005 on campus. The needs of users will be an important factor in the development process. 'United Brains', a group consisting of people from TU/e, Design Academy Eindhoven and Fontys Hogescholen, will co-ordinate the preliminary inquiries for the project. Dijkshoorn has been outsourced to this group for two days a week from his job at TU/e Real Estate. Each of the eight study groups will tackle a separate subject; members will be drawn from universities, colleges, government and consultancy companies. "For example, one study group is looking at how the system will fit into campus in a safe and aesthetically responsible way. Another will tackle transport value ­ what is the added value of the system for potential users? There will also be a group thinking about the development of related policies ­ which matters should be discouraged to make our alternative more attractive?" Dijkshoorn explains. Bumpy At the moment, no particular system has been chosen. Dijkshoorn would rather not be associated with other systems already operational in the Netherlands, such as Parkshuttle at Schiphol. "These systems are far from ideal. They're too slow, too bumpy and uncomfortable. We want to develop a system that can go forty to sixty kilometres an hour and will always be available. So we probably need parallel rails at our stations." But there are still a lot of things to decide in the months ahead. For example, how should customers define their destination? How should payment be set-up and what are users willing to pay? And, last but not least, who is willing to participate in this pilot project and how much are they willing to contribute? United Brains has a budget of 750,000 guilders for preliminary inquiries. The decision of whether or not to continue with the project will be taken in July of 2002. A prize is being awarded for a good name for the project. Vote at www.unitedbrains.nl/prijsvraag/.

TU/e Closes Unique Deal with UGS Students and researchers at TU/e will soon have access to the latest, most advanced Unigraphics (UGS) software. UGS and the curriculum managers at Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Technology and Industrial Design signed the deal earlier this week. The programs available will be: CAD, CAM, CAE, Collaboration, Product Data Management, Ergonomie and Factory CAD. TU/e is the first university in the Netherlands with this kind of contract. TU/e staff and students and can now work on an equal basis with companies like ASML, Daf, Philips and design companies like GBO, Magenta, NPK and Bakker Special Products. New La Tuniña cd TU/e's Spanish music association La Tuniña has a new cd out featuring sensitive serenades and South American dancing music. The cd, 'iQue bonita La Tuniña' was presented last Sunday in AOR. Traditionally, Tunas are groups of students at Spanish universities who play typical Tuna instruments such as lute, pandaretta, guitar and bandurria. TU/e has Tuna groups for men and women; the last was founded in 1982. To order the cd, mail tunina@stack.nl. Hairdresser Closes Linda van Mullekom of hair salon Tante Sidonia in the main building has had to close her business for personal reasons. The salon has been closed for some time now, but Van Mullekom's lease ends on July 1. TU/e is now looking for a successor to Tante Sidonia. Business Hours Student Store Student store RB has changed its business hours in connection with the upcoming summer vacation and a shortage of student staff. The store in the main building is open from 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. between June 11 and June 22. And from 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. from Monday June 25 to Friday July 13. Students who would like a job at RB should apply at the store. The English Page is written by Paula van de Riet. She can be reached at engcur@stud.tue.nl.