'It is an important step in the presentation of the UT and Twente as knowledge hub for the Netherlands', Van der Chijs explains. 'Fraunhofer is a high-minded, socially-oriented organization that specializes in applied research in all technical disciplines.'
According to the chair, the institute enjoys a stronginternational reputation. 66 research institutes in Germany and 7 institutes abroad are connected to Fraunhofer. 'It is truly a household name in the world', according to Van der Chijs.
Project Centre
Last week both institutes signed a memorandum of understanding during a conference in Cape Town, South Africa. There will be a project centre for design and production engineering in complex high tech systems on campus in which the UT will work closely together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) in Aachen, Germany. If the project centre is successful it will grow into an independent institute, focused on joint R&D projects with the industrial sector.
Van der Chijs is proud that the institute will be established on campus. 'It perfectly fits the vision and entrepreneurial character of the UT.' Fraunhofer institutes focus on converting fundamental scientific research into technological application in the industrial sector. "We also want to bring knowledge to market."
Questions from the industrial sector
With the project centre we will initially work on assignments based on questions from the industrial sector, and international collaboration projects. 'That's what the young engineers, supervised by experienced researchers from both the UT and Saxion, will be working on.'
In addition, they will put together a portfolio on the basis of the gathered expertise and the connection with both knowledge institutes, which will form the foundation for a career in the industrial sector, or a PhD position.
Supplement
The Fraunhofer way of working offers a supplement to the 'classical model' of science, in which a long-term PhD project at a university or an immediate collaboration with a company is key.
Exchange of knowledge and networks
For the UT the collaboration means a fortification of the spearheads and specific investments within the Faculty of Engineering Technology. "One of the driving forces responsible for the collaboration is Fred van Houten, professor of design engineering. He invested many years to cultivate a strong relationship with the institute. In this partnership we offer manpower to work in the centre and an exchange of knowledge and networks will be established."
Local and industrial authorities favourable
The local and industrial authorities take a favourable view of a collaboration with Fraunhofer, according to Van der Chijs. "They see it as a positive contribution to the knowledge infrastructure of the region and the rest of the country."
Van der Chijs expects there to be a contract near the end of this year. 'We will also definitively decide on the subthemes for specialization. Currently these include micro technology, material engineering and precision engineering.'
