I’m Mike Kolkman, and I studied Mechanical Engineering at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. Before starting this course, I studied Mechanical Engineering at the Regional Training Centre in Twente. Thanks to a partnership between these two institutions, I was able to complete both courses in seven years. As part of the ‘Study and career orientation’ component in the first year of my higher education programme, I went to VIRO to meet a work placement student. I was taken on a tour and interviewed the student. I was reintroduced to VIRO at one of Saxion’s career days, where I met one of the recruiters from Hengelo, Maureen Keemers-Wigger, who gave me her business contact details.
While doing my minor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Arnhem and Nijmegen, I contacted Maureen because I wanted to know more about undertaking a graduation assignment at VIRO. She was delighted to hear from me and invited me to have a chat. I really enjoyed it, and we definitely got along.
During the second interview, VIRO put together two different assignments for me to choose from: developing a mechanical tool that allows the user to use a wheelchair with just one hand, or developing a lifting tool for a clean room. I went for the lifting tool, and after approval from my university, I got hands-on with the assignment straight away. The lifting tool I developed is used to install four special downflow cabinets, which are too large and heavy to be moved by people. As the equipment would be for a cleanroom, standard tools wouldn’t be suitable. This project’s main challenges were the available space, using components that are suitable for the cleanroom, and ensuring the tool is compatible with the four different downflow cabinets.
Having completed my graduation assignment, I can safely say my time at VIRO as an undergrad was a success. The good atmosphere at the various departments and good working relationship I had with supervisor and other colleagues meant I could graduate without any major problems.
I liked it so much that I’m now working at VIRO!