JetNet and University of Groningen working together

Under the motto ‘400 years of experience with infinity ahead’, the collaboration between the University of Groningen and Jet-Net (Jongeren en Technologie Netwerk Nederland, Youth and Technology Network) starts today. On 12 June, during the For Infinity exhibition, Northern businesses and schools will present the new covenant in the Der Aa-Kerk. That afternoon, businesses and schools will immediately make their plans for the next year.

‘We think that it is very important for school pupils come into contact with actual practice, so that they know which professions are linked to which degree programmes. This is very important for the North. Via Jet-Net companies such as Gasunie, IBM Philips and Haskoning, school pupils are given an idea of what innovation in the energy world or healthcare actually means’, says Geke Hooge, coordinator of Jet-Net Noord. ‘And the Jet-Net network is opening up to the University, which can now take part in all its national activities.’

Logical next step

For years, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Groningen has been a partner in the Northern Jet-Net quiz for school pupils linked to the Career Day. The University’s Discovery Truck also helps at company open days, in the provinces of North Holland, Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The agreement is the logical next step, says a happy Bart van de Laar, head of Science LinX. ‘Science LinX is the stepping stone to the region. Together with the Hanze UAS, NHL, Van Hall and Stenden, our huge Netwerk Noord covers the entire region. We let young people try out for themselves what science actually is in research projects, in international science competitions, and at events for the general public, such as the Shell EcoMarathon. We notice that young people are often amazed at what they can actually do.’