In the spotlight: Dieuwertje Lont, teacher, chair group education coordinator, and study advisor for the MSc Animal Sciences

How and when did you start at WUR-ABG? And where did you work before you came to Wageningen University & Research (WUR)?

My journey at ABG started in 2008, when I applied for the role of assistant coordinator of the international EMABG programme (European Master in Animal Breeding and Genetics at the time, now called European Master in Animal Biodiversity and Genomics). I was looking for a position in academia that would allow me to focus on students and education, and I was very happy to find that opportunity at ABG. My academic background is in plant biology, but genetics has always been one of my favourite subjects. Combined with my passion for education, that made ABG a very attractive place to work.

In all these years, my work has changed a lot: from coordinating an international dual degree programme to teaching in different courses, being a chair group education coordinator, and being a study advisor for the MSc Animal Sciences. The EMABG programme (currently coordinated by BOKU, Austria) is still very active today!

What motivates you in your work? What gives you energy? 

On my LinkedIn profile I once stated: “I have a passion for education, people, organising and languages and I am most happy when these aspects come together.” That sums it up pretty well.

I enjoy working with people and seeing people grow. For example, during our ABG Breeding Lab course where students do a group internship at Hendrix Genetics (one of the leading breeding companies). In this course, we focus on ABG skills but also on personal skills. I really enjoy contributing to the students’ development.

I get energy from projects that contribute to the quality of education and to opportunities for students, such as our new combined master programme MAVAS (Master in Veterinary and Animal Sciences), a collaboration between Veterinary Sciences at Utrecht University and our own MSc Animal Sciences. More generally, I enjoy the variety in my work and having a dynamic working day.

I also really enjoy international projects, such as the collaboration within our European Master EMABG, the summer school in Norway we co-organised last year with NMBU, Norway, and the work within the ELLS network (EuroLeague of Life Sciences universities), where I am currently coordinating the subject area Animal Science. I believe that working together in education and creating a diverse and international classroom is very important to broaden students’ perspectives on the challenges we work on here in Wageningen and at our partner universities. Also as a study adviser, I feel international experience or at least international exposure is very important for a student’s skills and personal development.

Besides all that, I also like ABG as a group. We have a nice working atmosphere and are open-minded towards new ideas and collaborations in education, which I value a lot.

Can you share some information about a project that you are currently working on? Something that you're proud of?

This year, I take part in a teacher professionalisation trajectory, the SUTQ (senior university teaching qualification, an advanced follow-up of the UTQ). Within a cohort of teachers, we work on personal development, on collaboration in education, and on our own educational project. I chose to focus on international dual degrees within the EuroLeague of Life Sciences universities (ELLS) network, such as the EMABG programme and other initiatives within our network.

For this project, I spoke with stakeholders and programme directors, attended an EU meeting in Brussels, and presented at the Education Design Festival. Ultimately, I hope it will contribute to improving the way we deal with international dual degrees at Wageningen University. Besides the content – which I really enjoy working on because I find it very interesting – it is also very enriching to exchange ideas, developments and concerns with colleagues from all over our university.

What am I proud of? I am proud to contribute to the development of educational opportunities for students through programmes such as MAVAS, EMABG and collaborations within ELLS. I really believe these experiences help students broaden their perspectives and prepare them for an international career. More broadly, I am also proud of our Animal Sciences and ABG education in general. I feel we offer very interesting programmes with good courses, which we keep innovating, and we have motivated students and committed staff and teachers.

On a more personal note, what are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time I love spending time with my three children, my friends and my relatives. I often go hiking in the forest (I live very close to one), go cycling, and I like reading books. I also like languages (currently learning Norwegian) and music (I sang in a classical choir for many years).