“As a teacher you’re increasingly becoming a researcher. You keep developing yourself.”

The dialogue between man and machine, and in particular the reading of human emotions through devices. I would like to make technology more personal and let it interact with people based on emotions. All within the boundaries of ethics, of course, which has become increasingly important in ICT in recent years.

I’m more of a researcher than a traditional teacher. We’re changing into a knowledge institution. Teachers are doing more and more projects together with students, working as equals. They’re also given plenty of room to continue to develop themselves.

In the past, a project stopped after a semester – whether it was finished or not. In a knowledge institution, you pass on your unfinished products to the next project group. It works much more like it does at companies. We think it’s a shame to just throw good work away.

In the past, there was still a hint of ‘end of career’, so I’m going to be a teacher. Now it’s really an innovative next step in your career. In addition, many colleagues also work for other organisations.

We often work with companies that are already further than we are. Lecturers then participate in studies. It takes some effort, but it keeps you sharp and up to date with your knowledge.

Yes, you need more flexibility. Also from the students, by the way. You don’t just close a textbook at the end of the year and that’s it. A project that’s not finished might continue next year. Or you might pick it up with a company during the holidays. You have to like that and be open to it.

We’re moving towards empathetic technology: devices that can read emotions and have conversations with people. A whole new, exciting world that goes beyond software and smart speakers. Just think of legislation and ethics. I see a future that goes further than just code, that is really NEW GEN ICT.