On (the) T at... Eric Slaats from Fontys ICT

A special encounter; he was 7 jaren geleden one of the first to get in touch with the development team of Strijp-T.

‘The TQ building had to become the place to offer innovative ICT education. For this new form of education, with Open Innovation Labs, an inspiring environment without classrooms amid innovative companies is one of the most important principles’, said Eric.

What does your company do?

‘Fontys ICT offers an ICT programme in the broadest and most modern sense of the word. For example, interactive art is also part of this programme, which you might not at first glance expect at all.

The program fits seamlessly with the core concepts of Strijp-T: make - create - innovate. The atmosphere and the vibe here in and around the building, you won't find in a school building or campus’.

‘That is also the reason why we belong here and are so successful. Our unique way of working, in which business and a knowledge institution mutually reinforce one another, does not go unnoticed, by the way. Delegations from all over the world regularly visit us at Strijp-T to literally take a look behind the scenes to see how things are done here. I myself also regularly visit other institutions, such as recently at Humber University in Toronto’.

What is your role?

As an associate lector I am mainly involved in (educational) innovation, open education and excellence within Fontys ICT. It is important that at TQ 1.850 students, besides acquiring knowledge, actually apply it in practice. Together with 130 partner companies we teach them here to independently participate in open innovative challenges and practice-oriented research, where some students even start their first company’.

‘Working on and developing things that give meaning and deliver added value to society is more important than purely the transfer of subject-matter knowledge. Especially in the ICT field, this becomes outdated quickly. Our task is to be able to respond in time to ever-faster technological changes and to apply them, and to create an environment where students can work with motivation.’

Who would you like us to have go on the T next time?

‘Feel free to go on the T at CTOUCH. They are one of our partner companies and you can listen to the experience from the business community about our added value from a different perspective’.