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Candidate Board 2026-2027 Thursday 30 April 2026 14:07
We are proud that we can announce the candidates for the 59th board of Wiskundig Studiegenootschap Abacus! Last week, on the 22nd of April, they were announced in the following order:
Chair: Fleur ter Braak
Secretary & Officer of External Affairs: Pepijn Schreurs
Treasurer: Lenka Troiakova
Officer of Internal Affairs: Tycho Borm
Officer of Educational Affairs: Robert-Jan Nijhuis
General Adjunct: Eyal Castiel
We would like to wish them good luck for the coming months as candidate board members and have good faith that they will be officially constituted at the first of September.
Bibbidi Babbidi Boo - the 58th board of W.S.G. Abacus
Q3 flowers from the Education Committee Thursday 30 April 2026 10:46
With quartile 3 having come to an end, the Education Committee has awarded a bouquet of flowers to a teacher in recognition of their efforts throughout the quartile. In this case, the bouquet was awarded to Ruben Hoeksma for his involvement in Module 7, where he is responsible for a project course on Graph Isomorphism.
Many students spoke highly of Ruben, showcasing great appreciation for his patience and ability to make the material accessible to two different groups of students simultaneously. Students were also thankful for Ruben's willingness to discuss the topics over with them, and often mentioned his obvious care towards their understanding well-being overall (not just in his course).
The Education Committee would like to thank Ruben Hoeksma for all of his efforts and care in what he does as a teacher, and hopes that students will continue to appreciate his work in the future.
Winner Applied Mathematics Education Prize Thursday 26 March 2026 10:16
On Tuesday 10 March, the three nominees for the Applied Mathematics Education Prize (AMEP), Maria Christina van der Weele, Felix Schwenninger, and Frederic Schuller, all gave a talk on the theme 'History of Mathematics'.
With a wonderful presentation on the topic of the history behind solving cubic equations, Maria Christina has been voted winner of the AMEP 2026!
We thank all three finalists for their participation and for their wonderful talks, but, most importantly, we thank them for their efforts in educating the next generation of mathematicians here at the UT.
Education Week Thursday 5 March 2026 16:39
The Education Week is almost here! Next week, the Education Week will take place, during which the Education Committee will organises three very fun and interesting activities, so make sure to join all of them!
AMEP 10th of March, 12:45-13:30, Spiegel 6
During the education week, the Education committee organizes the Applied Mathematics Educational Prize! After all the nominations, this year Felix Schwenninger, Maria Christina van der Weele, and Frederic Schuller will battle for the title. They will each give a talk on this years theme: "History of Mathematics". Afterwards you can vote for their favorite presentation, so make sure to be there!
The Education committee will provide free lunch (and cake!).
Mathematical Lounge+ 11th of February, 12:45-13:30, Ravelijn 2237
In the Mathematical Lounge+, we normally have one teacher giving a fun talk on some mathematics they enjoy. But in the Mathematical Lounge+, you can listen to two amazing talks! Damaris ter Haar and Martijn Gösgens will give these talks. There will be free lunch provided, so be there or be square!
Visit to the Rijksmuseum 12th of March, 15:30-17:00
Like last year, the Education Committee will accompany you on the discovery of Rijksmuseum Twenthe, in the heart of Enschede. This activity will offer you the opportunity to take a cultural walk out of the stress of studying. The museum is even free for students! Just bring along your student card and be sure to join the fun!
Happy Holidays & See you in 2026! Friday 19 December 2025 15:50
The board of W.S.G. Abacus wishes you a very Mery Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We hope you can all enjoy from a deserved Christmas break of 2 weeks and will see you back in the Abacus room in 2026!
Researcher Researched and bouquet for Hans Zwart Thursday 18 December 2025 10:46
On the 4th of December, the Education Committee celebrated Hans Zwart and his work and dedication to students through a Research Researched in his honour. During this activity, we walked with Hans through many of the aspects of his carreer: from his PhD and view of research prizes to his view and approach to education and how he catered to students. Finally, Hans was celebrated one last time by receiving a bouquet of flowers for all his efforts towards students.
As his time at the UT is coming to an end, we want to thank Hans on behalf of the many students he has inspired for his kindness, enthusiasm and genuine interest in the students' well-being. Thank you, Hans!
Hans Zwart will be back to hold his public farewell speech on March 27.
AMEP Nominations Friday 5 December 2025 09:44
The Applied Mathematics Educational Prize (AMEP) is almost here and we need YOU (the students) to nominate candidates for this event!
The AMEP sees three beloved teachers give a short presentation about mathematics around one singular theme. These three finalists, however, are purely up to you. So go to AMEP vote and nominate your three favourite staff members to ensure that they make the final!
You may vote until January 18th.
Q1 Flowers from the Education Committee Thursday 27 November 2025 11:03
In Quartile 1 Hil Meijer received the most votes from students, and has been awarded a bouquet of flowers from the Education Committee!
Student who voted for him spoke highly of his involvement in the students’ learning process for the course Nonlinear Dynamics. Students also showed great appreciation for his genuine interest in them whenever he visits the Abacus room.
We thank Hil Meijer a lot for his efforts and for finding time in his busy schedule to still show involvement with students.
Ask the Programme Committee! Friday 7 November 2025 09:46
Having trouble with your studies?
Have some feedback about the programme that you would like be taken seriously?
Then reach out to the student members of the Programme Committee (PC) of Applied Mathematics!
The Programme Committee is an advisory board for the Programme Director and has to be heard regarding all educational matters. This includes course programmes, study load, timetables, resolution of complaints and course evaluations. This committee reviews subjects, votes on changes to the Bachelor and Master programmes and, most recently, helped prepare all documentation regarding the midterm evaluation of the programme of Applied Mathematics.
This committee is composed of 8 members, 4 students and 4 staff members. Currently the student members are:
- Fleur ter Braak
- Marieke Snoeren
- Iris Swagemakers
- Emile van der Veer
These students represent AM students' interests within the committee, and have a good understanding of regulations of the university and of the programme as stated in the Education and Examination Regulations (EER). Hence, if you have questions regarding the programme, have some feedback or simply need someone to talk to regarding struggles with the programme, reach out the them!
You may find more information about the Programme Committee via the following link: https://www.utwente.nl/en/bam/organisation/programme-committee/
Looking for Symposium committee 2026! Thursday 9 October 2025 16:48
Will you be joining the Symposium committee of next year?
Traditionally, Abacus organises a yearly mathematical symposium. A symposium is a day full of interesting scientific talks, typically within a certain mathematical theme. The tasks of the Symposium committee entail, but are not limited to, deciding on about a theme for the symposium, arranging speakers, finding sponsors, and arranging a location and catering. The committee would meet approximately once a week and will get more busy close to the day of the symposium.
Does this read like an interesting and fun committee for you, or would you like to learn more about what a Symposium committee does? Send an email to intern@abacus.utwente.nl, or approach one of the board members in the Abacus room!
Without a new symposium committee, a symposium cannot take place this year!
