Eindhoven University Honors Its Top Teachers for Outstanding Classroom Innovation
Eindhoven, Monday, 7 September 2026.
Eindhoven University of Technology celebrated its top educators, including Loe Schlicher, who plans to buy Japan’s ‘Rolls-Royce of chalk’ to continue his award-winning blackboard lectures.
The Pedagogical Philosophy of the Blackboard
At the annual MomenTUm ceremony held in October 2025 at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the institution celebrated outstanding educators who prioritize interactive, slow-paced learning over static digital presentations [1]. Both Loe Schlicher, named the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Teacher, and Robert van Dongen, awarded the 2025 Best Master’s Teacher, rely on traditional blackboards to deliver their lectures [1]. This deliberate choice allows them to dynamically adapt their teaching speed, giving students the mental space to follow complex derivations naturally without being overwhelmed by pre-prepared slides [1].
Revising Course Structures for Deeper Engagement
Schlicher, whose primary research lies in operations research and game theory, was nominated for the prestigious award by the study association Industria [1]. He earned the distinction for his comprehensive overhaul of the ‘Intermediate Finance and Accounting’ course—an academic subject separate from his core research [1]. To enhance critical thinking, Schlicher developed completely new lecture notes, a workbook containing more than 50 practical exercises, and group assignments that force students to analyze problems thoroughly before rushing to find answers [1]. He also utilizes humor and active mentorship, meeting with master’s students quarterly and writing personalized speeches for their graduation [1].
Bridging Academic Theory with Real-World Observation
In the Department of the Built Environment, Robert van Dongen focuses on bringing academic research directly into societal contexts [1]. Specializing in Urban Planning and Transportation, van Dongen implements experiential learning by assigning students to walk through the city to document and analyze real-world mobility challenges firsthand [1]. Despite teaching large-scale courses with up to 300 enrolled students, van Dongen prioritizes learning each student’s name by heart to foster personal academic connections [1]. His commitment to student accessibility is symbolized by his open-door presence at his office in the Vertigo building, matching Schlicher’s student-centric availability in the Atlas building [1].
Investing in the Future of Dutch Engineering
The recognition of these educators comes with substantial resources designed to further educational innovation [1]. Schlicher received a €15,000 prize, which he plans to allocate toward creating expert interview videos focused on city surveillance for a new course on homeland security [1]. True to his blackboard-focused teaching philosophy, he also humorously noted that his first order of business with the prize money would be to purchase high-quality chalk imported from Japan [1]. As TU/e prepares for its upcoming September 2026 MomenTUm graduation and award ceremonies, the legacy of the 2025 awardees highlights how traditional mentorship and innovative course design continue to shape the university’s academic landscape [2].