Lecturer in the Spotlight: Jacco Bikker

Can you share a bit about your journey leading up to BUas? 

Jacco: ‘About 19 years ago, I was working in the game industry as an R&D programmer. One day, Frank Peters from NHTV came to our company with an idea for a new study programme. After a few discussions, I became more involved, and shortly after, I officially joined what was then NHTV (now BUas). The first year was focused on developing the programme and securing accreditation. We started small, but the vision was clear. We wanted to build something great.’  

‘I became a lecturer and, together with a great team, we gradually expanded the programme. In the early days, I was one of the few teaching programming, but we soon brought in more staff, including Visual Arts lecturers. In collaboration with people like Rob Verhagen, we further shaped the curriculum.’ 

Can you share more about the projects and courses you have worked on at BUas? 

Jacco: ‘I teach our students courses in graphics programming, C/C++, and game development. I supervise internships and mentor Master’s thesis projects. Currently, my colleagues and I are also looking at creating a specialised track in the Master Game Technology programme, focusing on computer graphics. It is an area close to my heart. During my PhD, I worked on ray tracing technology, which at the time wasn’t widely used in games. My research explored the feasibility of using ray tracing to create realistic lighting and reflections in games. That research has now become quite relevant with today’s technology, so it is exciting to see how things have evolved.’ 

What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in our programme over the years? 

Jacco: ‘The shift from traditional teaching methods to project-based learning has been one of the most significant changes. This approach is what makes BUas stand out. From day one, students are actively creating projects, which sets high expectations from the start. It is demanding, but it also means that students are ready to enter the industry by the time they graduate. They dive straight into practical work, which helps them learn quickly. Plus, all of our lecturers have real-world experience in game development, so we are not just teaching theory, we are teaching what we have lived.’ 

‘Another big change is how much the programme has grown. When we started, it was a tight-knit group of people. Now, we have an entire floor in our building, and the team has grown considerably, but we have kept that close, professional atmosphere. I love that we have managed to keep the spirit of those early days while expanding so much. And it is amazing to see how well our students have done. We demonstrate our ability to train individuals who are well-prepared to work for major AAA game studios all over the world.’  

Who have been some of your biggest influences or mentors throughout your career? 

Jacco: ‘I have been fortunate to work with some really inspiring people. Martin Beresford, a drawing lecturer, is one of them. He has such a deep understanding of his craft, and working with him is truly motivating. Frank Peters, of course, has been a major influence. He is great at sharing responsibilities in a way that challenges you while keeping things moving at a high pace. Another person I have to mention is Brian Beuken. He really understands the individual needs of our students. Whether it is tough love or encouragement, he knows exactly what they need to hear. I learned a lot from him, especially about supporting students who might need a little extra help.’  

What do you find most fulfilling about working at BUas? 

Jacco: ‘The connection with my colleagues is one of the best parts. I spent a few years at Utrecht University, which was also a great challenge, but I missed something. At BUas, everyone is dedicated to education. It is at the heart of everything we do. Even our coffee break conversations are often about how we can improve our teaching. It is a close-knit team that is always supportive, and when I came back three years ago, it felt like coming home.’  

What advice would you give to students trying to make it in the games industry?  

Jacco: ‘Don’t wait until you are enrolled in a study programme to start creating games. Get going now. The best thing you can do is make games, experiment, and enjoy the process. If you want to become an artist, start drawing. If you want to be a programmer, dive into game engines and learn as much as you can. Making games is very different from playing them, so don’t wait for the perfect moment, just start. And most importantly, have fun with it!‘  

Follow Jacco on X for insights into game development, ray tracing, and more!