Over 100 international alumni of TU Delft, Eindhoven University of Technology, the University of Twente and Wageningen University & Research (together 4TU) gathered last week in Utrecht for an inspiring evening of connection, reflection, and forward-looking dialogue. The event, organized by 4TU.Alumni, aimed to foster a stronger sense of belonging among the estimated 20,000 international graduates in the Netherlands and highlight their vital role in Dutch society and innovation.
A timely message in a shifting climate
The event’s purpose was clear: to provide a supportive community for international alumni and future graduates and affirm their value in the Netherlands.
Ena Voûte, Pro-Vice Rector for International Affairs at TU Delft, opened the evening by referencing the latest Nuffic report, which shows a growing trend of international graduates choosing to stay in the Netherlands. According to the 2025 report, 25.3% of international students remain in the country five years after graduation — an increase from 24.1% in 2022. Notably, 57% of 2023 graduates were still in the Netherlands one year later, up from 40% in 2018. Among those who stay, 80% are employed, often in high-paying roles, particularly in sectors like engineering and education where labor shortages are acute.
Marjolein Dohmen-Janssen, Secretary of the 4TU.Federation emphasized the strategic importance of international talent and outlined the ongoing efforts of the four universities to support their integration and success within the Dutch economy.
Diversity, inclusion and dancing in socks
A highlight of the evening was the keynote by Karin Sluis, former Managing Director of Witteveen+Bos and a TU Delft alumna. With warmth and humor, she recounted the company’s journey toward greater diversity and inclusion—beginning, quite literally, with walking the path in socks. Using a vivid metaphor, she likened inclusion to a party: “Everyone should be invited, feel comfortable dancing, and have a say in the music.” Her message resonated with the audience, underscoring how inclusive workplaces are better equipped to solve complex challenges.
Stories of Impact and Innovation
The panel discussion that followed featured four remarkable international alumni who have built impactful careers in the Netherlands:
- Anand Chowdhary (India, UTwente) is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of FirstQuadrant, an AI sales platform backed by Y Combinator.
- Akhilesh Goveas (India, TU Delft) co-founded SpectX, a drone-based infrastructure inspection company that recently secured a $10.8 million contract for offshore wave prediction.
- Juliana Romero Guzmán (Mexico, WUR) is the founder of Cano-ela, a startup producing sustainable food ingredients from canola seeds.
- Gustavo Ostos Rios (Venezuela, TU/e) is a senior manager at Cognizant, where he bridges design and data science to address challenges in the Blue Economy.
Their reflections on adapting to Dutch culture, navigating the job market, and launching ventures struck a chord with the audience.
Building a lasting community
The evening concluded with informal networking over drinks, where alumni bonded over shared experiences, alma maters, and aspirations. Representatives from university career services were on hand to offer guidance, and international engineers from Witteveen+Bos who graduated from 4TU universities shared insights into their work.
This event marked the launch of the 4TU.Alumni Netherlands Network, a new initiative aimed at strengthening connections among international alumni of the four Dutch technical universities who live and work in the country. Valuable input was gathered during the evening, and more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and support one another are already in the works.
