The Maastricht McLuhan Institute (MMI), European Centre for Digital Culture, Knowledge Organisation and Learning Technology, was officially opened by Dr Eric McLuhan in November, 1998 and began its formal activities in January, 1999 at the Grote Gracht 82 in Maastricht.

MMI is an initiative of the Universiteit Maastricht, the Hogeschool Maastricht, the Hogeschool Limburg, the Limburgs Universitair Centrum (Diepenbeek), the LIOF Industriebank N.V., and the Province of Limburg.

From the outset, MMI's activities have been placed in a broader context of lasting collaboration. Partnerships have been entered into with the European Network of Centres of Excellence in Digital Cultural Heritage and ICT, and the Stanford Learning Lab (Stanford University). And projects were started involving universities in the Netherlands and abroad, other educational institutions and SMEs.

MMI was established by the Maastricht McLuhan Foundation, consisting of five founding members:

The Board of Management
The board of Management of the MMI Foundation is responsible for an annual activity programme, monitors the execution of this programme, and stimulates initiatives that contribute to enhance the institute's recognition. The Board consists of the following members:

  • Dr K. Dittrich, Universiteit Maastricht (chair)
  • Prof.Dr P. Tummers, Universiteit Maastricht
  • J. Donders (MBA), Industriebank LIOF N.V.
  • Drs. M. Dunnewijk, Hogeschool Zuyd
  • Mr. J. Gerards, Universiteit Maastricht (secretary)
  • J. Giesen, Hogeschool Zuyd
  • Prof. Dr H. Martens, Limburgs Universitair Centrum (Diepenbeek).

Advisory Board
MMI also has an Advisory Board, which in general gives guidance with regard to content of research and development programmes and projects. Furthermore, the Advisory Board discusses contacts to external organizations and businesses, research involvement of the participating institutes, and participation of MMI in other regional, national and international programmes. Members of this Advisory Board are:

  • Prof. Dr A. Nieuwenhuizen Kruseman, Universiteit Maastricht (chair)
  • Prof. Dr Ir. K. Boon, Universiteit Maastricht
  • Ir. J. Bijsmans, Hogeschool Zuyd
  • Prof. Dr E. Flerackers, Limburgs Universitair Centrum
  • Drs. H. Koolmees, Hogeschool Zuyd
  • Drs. W. Weijnen, Provincie Limburg
  • Dr R. de Wilde, Universiteit Maastricht
  • Drs. C. Zelissen, on behalf of Industriebank LIOF N.V.