Connecting Hands
Bringing society, refugees and students together.
Connecting Hands was started in 2015 by the Student Union of the University of Twente to contribute towards the humanitarian front of the society. The university administration decided to raise money in response to protests from local residents against the planned construction of an AZC in Enschede. With this fundraising campaign, students were able to start organizing activities for refugees in the nearby AZC in Azelo. Later, the AZC Azelo was closed and the residents moved to AZC Almelo, with which Connecting Hands is now cooperating, together with AZC Hengelo.
At Connecting Hands, we believe that by providing righteous opportunities, the refugees are able to integrate into the relatively new environment in a better way. We achieve our goals by stimulating integration between the refugees and students of the University of Twente through organizing diverse events.
Connecting Hands organizes multifaceted events in the fields of sports, culture, education and women empowerment. These events allow a networking opportunity and enable both refugees and students to overcome prejudices. It not only helps in the integration of refugees with students but also helps the students in widening their perspective towards the refugees as they experience new cultures and engaging narratives.
The mission of Connecting Hands is to create a platform for everyone; refugees, asylum seekers, and international and native students. We believe that people will function better and feel healthier and happier in a society when there is a certain level of awareness and understanding. We believe in building a better society with equal opportunities.
Board 2021 – 2022
Taha Khan
Hey fellas, Taha here, studying bachelor of mechanical engineering. Love playing sports, recently mostly focused on Tennis. The idea of helping refugees integrate into the new society and environment really fascinates me. Joined Connecting Hands in 2019 and this year I decided to be the chairman. This will allow me to help refugees by organising fun and interesting activities as well as doing other things. Being the Chairman had given me an opportunity to lead a team of enthusiastic and motivated students and will also help me with my personal growth and experience. What else makes me so excited about Connecting Hands is the meaningful interactions and smiles amongst students and refugees. Hoping for a wonderful experience 🙂
Nicole Yacoubian
Hello there, I’m Nicole. Currently, I do IBA as a 21 year old having lived, as well as my roots, in multitudinous countries. I actively seek ways to expand knowledge and attentiveness through cultural integration. On the side, I produce music, find myself fascinating within the aviation domain, and enjoy expanding my contacts. I am thrilled to direct the educational committee as well manage CH’s finances.
Sanchana Krishnakumar
Hello Everyone! I am Sanchana. A PhD student from India at UT. Apart from my studies, I love to travel and spend time with friends. I have always been active in various associations and groups to help people. I joined Connecting Hands as a board member in 2020. I love working with CH and decided to continue this year as well. This year I will be the secretary and head of the culture committee. I am looking forward to meeting you all during one of our activities.
Salih Yuceturk
Hello everyone. I’m Salih, a second year Technical Computer Science student. And in my free time, I like to do calisthenics and read. I’ve joined the Connecting Hands board as the project manager after learning about the projects and activities that are done for the refugees. This really got my attention and I’ve decided to be a part of this meaningful effort.
Board 2020 – 2021
Sanchana Krishnakumar
Hello Everyone! I am Sanchana Krishnakumar. A second year master’s student from India, majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Twente. I have always been active in various associations and groups to help people. Apart from my studies, I love to travel and spend time with friends.
I am very excited to be in Connecting Hands as the head of the Education committee. In the education committee, our aim is to organize events and help in other educational activities for the refugees to empower them. I am looking forward to meeting you all during one of our activities
Sanchana Krishnakumar
Hello Everyone! I am Sanchana Krishnakumar. A second year master’s student from India, majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Twente. I have always been active in various associations and groups to help people. Apart from my studies, I love to travel and spend time with friends.
I am very excited to be in Connecting Hands as the head of the Education committee. In the education committee, our aim is to organize events and help in other educational activities for the refugees to empower them. I am looking forward to meeting you all during one of our activities
Sabiha Zeynep Uslu
Dear people, it’s Zeynep talking to you:) I am a 2nd-year Technical Medicine student, currently the DEAR project manager of the foundation. I like experimenting with all kinds of art forms, which could be playing the piano, painting, or doing theater. Connecting Hands means a lot to me, as it allows us to learn more about other lives around us. Next to that, helping people with integration is a great way of volunteering. Connecting Hands offers one of the most unique experiences our university offers: Interaction between the students and the refugees!
Sabiha Zeynep Uslu
Dear people, it’s Zeynep talking to you:) I am a 2nd-year Technical Medicine student, currently the DEAR project manager of the foundation. I like experimenting with all kinds of art forms, which could be playing the piano, painting, or doing theater. Connecting Hands means a lot to me, as it allows us to learn more about other lives around us. Next to that, helping people with integration is a great way of volunteering. Connecting Hands offers one of the most unique experiences our university offers: Interaction between the students and the refugees!
Kaz Middelhoek
Hey all! I am Kaz, 22 years old and a biomedical engineering master student. My hobbies are playing the piano and all kinds of exercise. I’ve been with Connecting Hands since 2018 and after being active in several of its committees, am now the treasurer of the association.
For me, what makes Connecting Hands so special is that it forms meaningful bonds between refugees and students. Those personal interactions when you see the same people at an event again, are what I do it for!
Kaz Middelhoek
Hey all! I am Kaz, 22 years old and a biomedical engineering master student. My hobbies are playing the piano and all kinds of exercise. I’ve been with Connecting Hands since 2018 and after being active in several of its committees, am now the treasurer of the association.
For me, what makes Connecting Hands so special is that it forms meaningful bonds between refugees and students. Those personal interactions when you see the same people at an event again, are what I do it for!
Esma AlasaÄŸ
Hi guys! I am Esma, a third year Technical Medicine bachelor student. I joined Connecting Hands last academic year through the Women and Culture committee and am currently the secretary of this wonderful association. My hobbies include doing karate, reading and drinking tea with friends.
I’m the head of the Culture committee where we organise cultural events such as dancing workshops, cooking classes etc.
Esma AlasaÄŸ
Hi guys! I am Esma, a third year Technical Medicine bachelor student. I joined Connecting Hands last academic year through the Women and Culture committee and am currently the secretary of this wonderful association. My hobbies include doing karate, reading and drinking tea with friends.
I’m the head of the Culture committee where we organise cultural events such as dancing workshops, cooking classes etc.
Martijn Demmink
Hi there, my name is Martijn. I am studying my masters IEM or ‘technische bedrijfskunde’. In my spare time, I DJ, ride motorcycle, love running and play field hockey. I joined Connecting Hands when I heard about organising activities for refugees and students together. This caught my attention since most activities I’ve organised were only for students and focussed on fun (read: drinking beer) So this is a nice way to both learn organisational skills and contribute to a greater goal outside your student-bubble. This combination is unique at our university.
Martijn Demmink
Hi there, my name is Martijn. I am studying my masters IEM or ‘technische bedrijfskunde’. In my spare time, I DJ, ride motorcycle, love running and play field hockey. I joined Connecting Hands when I heard about organising activities for refugees and students together. This caught my attention since most activities I’ve organised were only for students and focussed on fun (read: drinking beer) So this is a nice way to both learn organisational skills and contribute to a greater goal outside your student-bubble. This combination is unique at our university.
Melike OÄŸuz
Hi, I am Melike, a 3rd year Creative Technology student. I love to take photos and going to the gym. I joined Connecting Hands through the Women and Sports committee last year. We did lovely activities, such as a football match with the Sports committee and a Zumba workshop with the Women committee. I loved it so much that I decided to do a board year. Within the board itself, I am the social media responsible. And yes, I am the face behind the posts 🙂
Currently I am responsible for the Women subcommittee. It has been really hard for us to organise events due to the current situation. However, as the Women subcommittee we still managed to remain in contact with the refugees of AZC Almelo by writing them letters and holding online workshops.
Melike OÄŸuz
Hi, I am Melike, a 3rd year Creative Technology student. I love to take photos and going to the gym. I joined Connecting Hands through the Women and Sports committee last year. We did lovely activities, such as a football match with the Sports committee and a Zumba workshop with the Women committee. I loved it so much that I decided to do a board year. Within the board itself, I am the social media responsible. And yes, I am the face behind the posts 🙂
Currently I am responsible for the Women subcommittee. It has been really hard for us to organise events due to the current situation. However, as the Women subcommittee we still managed to remain in contact with the refugees of AZC Almelo by writing them letters and holding online workshops.