Master Next Level Engineering

I did my bachelor in Iran and decided to continue my study abroad. My sister lives in Holland, so we both checked the websites from Dutch universities first. I got enthusiastic about the master NLE because it seemed a match with my bachelor in Information Technology. And it is. This master programme is preparing us for the future completely. I would like to work for a company and help them with data science. We had a course on artificial intelligence already and I found out that it is so broad and that it can do a lot for companies. We also learned that collaborating is the right way. Since all the people in my group differ in backgrounds, we collaborate on a daily basis. We all have knowledge about something and we share it. The education system in Holland is completely different from the one that I am used to. Everyday is a new day for me and I really like it. Tutoring helps us to achieve our goals. Our lecturers are very kind and they really want to help us. My classmates as well. We are like a family.

This master's offers me a broader perspective on the world and helps me discover where my interests really lie, as new technologies are needed everywhere. Through the weekly masterclasses in period 1, I have become familiar with fields that I was not involved in during my bachelor in Spatial Development. Healthcare and shipbuilding, for example. The nice thing is that you can ask all your questions at the master class. At Photonics we got to work with a glass fibre and saw how to use it as a sensor. At Smart Sustainable Manufacturing, we stood next to a robot taking apart a phone. At Data Science, we got an insight into the possibilities of AI. And there were a few more like that.

During the first block of NLE, there is a fun excursion scheduled on every Friday. The field trips are related to the masterclasses that we attend the Monday before. This way we can immediately put the material from the Masterclass into practice or even apply it ourselves! For instance, last week we had the opportunity to visit the Green Village in Delft, where we witnessed sustainable innovations in action. This Friday we are going to a Photonics lab, where we’ll do hands-on experiments with fiber optics. Experiencing and actively working with these innovations in real-life scenarios make these excursions the highlight of my week! 

Just before my graduation in Industrial Design Engineering, I started looking for a master’s. I wanted to develop my technical skills, learn how to work with many different people and turn me into a designer with experience and expertise. That is what led me to NLE. In this master’s, I get the chance to gain insight into new technologies while simultaneously developing my communication skills within a project team. The multidisciplinary approach, collaborative environment and innovative outlook to the future, make me feel prepared for being a part of big projects!  

I am currently attending the NLE Master’s. Last June, I finished my bachelor in Movement Technology. This year, it’s my aim to broaden my knowledge with regard to working in a multidisciplinary group, data science and product development. In addition, during this master's I also want to find out what field of work I see myself working in in the future. One of the nice things about the master’s is the variation in backgrounds of the students which makes it a very diverse group. I also like the excursions organized by the study, since you get a good impression of the sectors where technology plays an important role.  

"In my classes you will learn to do applied research in a professional, critical manner. The first semester all the tools for the different phases of the research cycle will be introduced to you. In the form of theory, but also by practicing. Based on a case study, for example, you formulate different research questions. You practice how to write professionally and how to give peer feedback that really helps someone else. In semester 2, you then go through the entire research cycle. You will do your thesis research with a research group, so you will have to come up with an extensive and convincing research proposal to begin with. What I like about this course? Being able to contribute from my own experience. I was a researcher myself for many years and I enjoy sharing what I did and learned during that period."

"You will come across me in the design project, among other things. In a multidisciplinary group you design and research technological solutions for specific target groups. This requires technical insight but also creativity. The projects start with a broad problem definition and, as a group, you determine the direction. This uncertainty will take some getting used to, but the design cycle provides a foothold. You analyze the problem and the users, and you generate creative ideas to come up with innovative solutions. Then you build prototypes and test them with the target group. Is it valuable? What are its strengths and weaknesses? How should it be developed further? Some results from this year are currently being developed further, such as two devices for elderly to live independently for longer. I consider that a great success."

"In my classes, you work on dialogue and reflection skills and career choices. You learn to use dialogue and reflection in collaboration within your team and with stakeholders. This is important because you will come to work in a complex environment where different worlds converge. Are we all talking about the same thing? How and when do you need to question the way things are going? Perhaps the well-trodden path is precisely something that needs to be changed if you want to bring about real change. You learn to initiate this reflection in the collaboration with your stakeholders. Furthermore, we will discuss how to make choices that are in line with your values, during your studies and afterwards. I experience the cultural diversity within this group as an enormous wealth."