“I struggled to find a degree that was technical enough while also focusing on circularity and sustainability. When I read about Circular Engineering, I felt that it was the perfect mix for my career goals and me!” The Circular Engineering programme fulfilled its promise: “Specifically, the course Sustainable Food Production has helped me find my passion for my career. In the future, I would love to be working at a company that is helping with the transition towards a more sustainable food system.”

Nieka-Lee, who grew up in Cape Town, has a passion for seaweeds and algae as feedstock for various processes, as well as a food source. Why? “I have spent most of my life doing anything that has to do with the ocean. I love to freedive, surf, kitesurf, and explore life downunder.” Because Maastricht lacks an ocean, she now likes to rock climb and run.

The Problem Based learning (PBL) approach at Maastricht University is something Nieka-Lee enjoys: “PBL is a system where we work in student-led groups of around 12 students with the supervision of a tutor to help us in the right direction. We usually get a scenario, discuss it, and then formulate learning goals around the topic. After the session, it is up to us to research and answer these goals ourselves, and then come back for the next session a few days later to discuss our findings and collaborate on answers. I like PBL in some courses, but in other courses, it can be quite challenging to apply. However, it teaches you to work in group settings with all kinds of people, and it also forces you to take control of your learning. The Project Periods, at the end of each semester are also really cool because I get to work on a real-world problem with a company, and it is fun exposure into what my career could be like one day.”