Igor, to get right to the point: what is the core of BUas?
BUas is a medium-sized and specialized university of applied sciences at both undergraduate and graduate level, where knowledge development is central. We achieve this through research, both scientific and practice-oriented, within 9 themes: Tourism, Leisure & Events, Hotel Management, Facility Management, Spatial Environment, Logistics, Media, Games, and recently Data & AI. My research focuses on Serious Games and Digital Realities.
What is your long term goal?
To share knowledge and expertise with each other within the themes, so that we can set up various education and research programs within BUas. This enables us to prepare our students ever better for the labor market. One of the mottos of the BUas game academy is therefore: 'Better the best'. Our ambition is to deliver students who are at or above the industry standard. This way students are attractive to the big players in the gaming industry, and they can make an important contribution right away.
Out of ambition? Idealism? Or passion?
Mostly out of genuine interest in the field. I have a passion for serious games and their development. I want to pass this on to the next generation, to prepare them for the future. And that works, because there is a lot of demand from the industry for our students. I am therefore proud that as a teacher I was able to stand at the cradle of their innovative careers.
How are you connected to MindLabs?
We are a partner of MindLabs. This means that we help think about the strategic direction, for example for the general programming or the programming during events. We also set up new research projects. This makes it easier for us to enter into larger collaborations in which we combine our knowledge. And this accumulation of knowledge is good for all the partners within the ecosystem.
And how long have you been in the family?
Although we knew about the existence of MindLabs before, we have only been members of the family for 1 year. This is because we first investigated whether the ecosystem was a good fit for BUas. And indeed it did.
What is the holy grail in this collaboration as far as you are concerned?
Actually moving forward together. Because if you can do it faster and better on your own, you should do it. But MindLabs offers room for creativity and freedom within the ecosystem. This allows partners to strengthen each other in an effective and efficient way.
And what does it bring you in the meantime?
A network of relationships in which it is easy and fun to switch. That's how we get to know and trust other MindLabs partners better and better. And that ultimately results in an exchange of knowledge, beautiful collaborations and interesting research. On a professional and scientific level.
