News
Looking for Symposium committee 2026! Placed on 9 October 2025
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!

New MSc Coordinator Placed on 12 September 2025
Just before the summer, the role of MSc Coordinator became vacant as Lisette van den Broek became the MSc Coordinator of Robotics. As sad as it is to see Lisette go, we wish her all the best in her new role.
However, we are also very happy to introduce Aleida Braaksma as the new MSc Coordinator of Applied Mathematics! We wish her great success in this new role look forward to working together with her. We leave it to Aleida herself to properly introduce who she is and how you may reach out to her for any questions:
My name is Aleida Braaksma and I am happy that I am now the coordinator of the programme I was once a student of. I have studied Applied Mathematics here at the UT and graduated in 2010. During that time, next to learning a lot from my studies, I have also grown personally and thoroughly enjoyed my student life by being an active member of a student association. My graduation project introduced me to the field of healthcare logistics: organizing healthcare in such a way that patients experience good service (e.g., quick access, short waiting times) while the valuable time of healthcare staff and resources is used optimally. After graduating, I have been a healthcare logistics consultant for one year. Subsequently, I did research for four years and obtained my PhD in healthcare operations research from the UT in 2015. Following that, I have worked as a postdoc in healthcare operations research at MIT (Boston, USA) for two years. Since November 2017, I am back at Applied Mathematics, first as an assistant professor, and now as Master Coordinator and teacher. You may know me from Module 8 (Stochastic Models – Dynamic Programming and the Project) or Markov Decision Theory in the Master.
As Master Coordinator, I am responsible for the organizational aspects of our Master programme. So if you have questions about admission, procedures, missing information, rules and regulations, program/course contents, or if you have complaints, please contact me. You can find me in Zilverling 4013 (not on Wednesdays) or reach me at master-am@utwente.nl.

New Board Placed on 8 September 2025
On Tuesday the 2nd of September, our change GMA took place. The 57th board got discharged, and the 58th board was charged as follows:
Chairman & Officer Internal Affairs: Damaris ter Haar
Secretary: Daan van Kats
Treasurer: Feike Harmsen
General Adjunct: Nathanael Skrepek
We want to thank the 57th board for their hard work of the past year, and we look forward to a great board year! 💛🩵
(FLTR: Nathanael, Daan, Damaris, Feike)

Calendar Week overview | Month overview
20/10 12:45 | Researcher Researched: Nathanael Skrepek @ Carré 2G 22We will have an interview with Nathanael Skrepek. A nice lunch is included! |
22/10 16:00 | Borrel Plank Plank Borrel @ Abscint 5Come enjoy a drink with a nice theme |
24/10 16:00 | FriAD Proto @ AbscintCome enjoy a drink at the FriAD of Proto! |
28/10 12:45 | Mathematical Lounge: Rianne de Heide @ Carré 3B 0Mathematical Lounge with Rianne de Heide |
28/10 16:00 | Study Evening @ CR 3GCome study together at this study evening during the exam weeks! |