VOCO Teachers Complete Robintech Internship in the Netherlands
As part of the Erasmus+ Robintech project, two mechatronics teachers from VOCO, Rasmus Saar and Jevgeni Kuznetsov, recently visited the Netherlands. The goal of this teacher internship from September 8 to 12 was to experience how vocational education is teaching robotics and bridging the gap between education and industrial applications.
From Education to Industry—and Back Again
The teachers’ visit included a diverse program, with tours of advanced research labs like SAMXL and Robohouse, as well as companies like Airborne, Festo, and Promolding. They also explored ROC Mondriaan’s facilities in Delft and The Hague to understand how robotics is taught in a Dutch vocational school. A key observation was how Mondriaan’s Technicus Engineering students progressively move from foundational skills to advanced, project-based learning and real-world applications.
At SAMXL, a fieldlab focused on aerospace, the group witnessed cobots and gantry robots handling carbon fiber, performing laser welding, and using AI for material optimization. At Robohouse, the emphasis was on socially responsible robotics, with projects that included a wall-joint filler robot and vision-equipped grippers. The visit to Festo showcased cutting-edge educational tools, while at Promolding, the focus was on the role of robotics in precision plastic injection molding for the medical field.
A particularly inspiring moment occurred at Airborne, where the visitors learned how industrial robots are built into the production line itself. They were also joined by a former Mondriaan student who now works there and is pursuing a dual degree. He gave a tour of his graduation project, offering a tangible example of the strong link between education and industry.
The VOCO teachers were especially impressed with ROC Mondriaan’s TechCampus Lab in The Hague. Located on a former industrial estate, its environment closely mimics real workplaces, which helps students transition from school to a job. As VOCO teacher Rasmus Saar noted, “It’s clear that students aren’t just learning about robotics here—they’re learning to work with them in a context that feels real.”
Insights and next steps
Throughout the week, several key themes became clear. Robots aren’t simply “plug-and-play”; they often require custom-built grippers and tools. 3D printing is increasingly used to create these attachments, and vision systems and AI tools are becoming essential for robotics. Most importantly, robotics education isn’t just about technology; it’s about teaching students to creatively solve problems. That is also the aim of Robintech project – to create materials and methods to educate the next generation of engineers for industries.
The visit, coordinated by ROC Mondriaan’s programme manager Mariëlle Stolp, has paved the way for future collaboration, including potential student internships and joint projects within the broader Robintech partnership.