Teaching and Learning Centre

The university teachers are the centre of the success of Wageningen University & Research. They work with growing student numbers and combine their achievements with education innovation. Teaching and Learning Centre helps them by offering support and activities focussing on the development and renewal of educational skills and inspiration.

University Teaching Qualification (UTQ)

The 14 Dutch universities have agreed on national standards for a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ; in Dutch “BKO”). In addition the Executive Board has decided on a regulation for the UTQ at Wageningen University. The UTQ regulation gives university teachers the time and support they need to develop their teaching skills. The UTQ programme is made up of courses and practical assignments, together with optional peer meetings and coaching. In general teachers are expected to complete the qualification within three years after starting.

Thesis Rings

A Thesis Ring is organised within chair groups and consists of a group of students (7-10) that share their written work (both proposals and thesis reports) and orally discuss the quality of the work together in weekly meetings.

Students will learn to review each other’s texts. Peer reviewing is an important skill in the world of science that is often underrepresented in the thesis phase of students. Within the ring, aspects concerning both experimental design as well as scientific writing skills are discussed. A staff member is present at each meeting to chair the meeting, to supervise the process and the quality of given feedback.

Teaching and Learning Centre can advise you when you want to start Thesis Rings in your chair group. Teaching and Learning Centre can help by providing a Blackboard site to facilitate the workflow of the ring. More information about thesis rings in general and about setting up the Blackboard: www.thesisrings.wur.nl.