Eindhoven University of Technology - like most universities - is proud of its achievements in education and research. But for every university, and certainly for TU/e, valorization is the third core task. This is about making an impact on society by using the knowledge of scientific research to create something valuable for society. Rector Silvia Lenaerts (1966) on why bridging the gap between academic knowledge and societal applications is crucial. She shows us the role The Gate and Brainport Eindhoven's innovative ecosystem play in this.
For Lenaerts, who took office last May as Frank Baaijens' successor, that ecosystem was one of the reasons for choosing Eindhoven. At her prior university, in Antwerp, she had also shown herself in full force as the administrator who tried to enthuse her academic colleagues and students to look outside the walls of the alma mater. Since 2016, as the Vice Rector of Valorization & Development in Antwerp, she has been the booster and connector of the innovation ecosystem.
Although she got quite a lot done in that role, she already knows that Eindhoven has much more to offer in this important area. "In Antwerp, I always had to to apply tremendous effort; here in Eindhoven, it fits completely into the culture, and the processes are also more geared to it."
Valorisation fits completely into the Eindhoven culture
Rector Silvia Lenaerts
Steer and strengthen
Unlike in Flanders, Eindhoven thrives on a proactive, results-oriented culture, Lenaerts notes. In doing so, she plans to use her role as a rector not only to steer the academic direction of the university but also to strengthen the symbiotic relationship with society and business.
After all, the Brainport region is home to many high-tech companies that work closely with the university. ASML, which last year announced an investment of several hundred million euros to build and operate new research facilities within the walls of the TU/e, is the most appealing example. However, there are also great collaborations with companies such as Thermo Fischer, ASM, VDL, and DAF.
Excellence
As if to take the wind out of the sails of the skeptics, the rector emphasizes it several times during our conversation: no matter how vital valorization is, it should never come at the expense of the "academic excellence" that both staff and students and the outside world can expect from her institute.
"So when I talk about a gradual culture change to place even more emphasis on our role in social and economic value creation, this is not an attack on basic research. On the contrary, research is an essential foundation for valorization."
Valorization is part of everyone's job description, but as far as I'm concerned, everyone can fill that task in their own way.
Rector Silvia Lenaerts
In Antwerp, Lenaerts focused on three areas: metropolitanization, sustainable chemistry and infectious diseases. A number of solid domains are also emerging for Eindhoven. In close connection with the four research institutes the TU/e has developed in recent years (EIRES for sustainable energy, ICMS for materials and molecular systems, EHCI for electronics, photonics, and quantum, and EAISI for artificial intelligence), she is going to entice her staff further to explore valorization and collaboration in addition to excellent research.
"Valorization is part of everyone's job description, but as far as I'm concerned, everyone can fill that task in their own way. For example, for some, that means a guest lesson in Studium Generale; for others, it's the establishment of their own company. In the annual performance reviews, we keep track of their progress."
Societal challenges
Lenaerts wants to move from "the hard technology push" to an approach that considers societal challenges. "Suppose there is a problem, for example, in health care, in air pollution, or in energy storage. We should then immediately ask ourselves how we can create collaborations to solve this, using our knowledge and thus contribute to the systemic or technological solution of the problem."
To make that happen, spinoffs and start-ups are essential. "After all, they are pre-eminently the tools to connect technological innovation with addressing societal challenges. There's a beautiful work of art here entitled 'Where innovation starts' for a reason."
The Gate
Lenaerts calls The Gate the ideal intermediate station for her valorization mission for two reasons: "First, with their growing portfolio of spinoffs and supported start-ups, they show exactly how the principle of tech transfer works. In addition, they are the ideal connection to the local ecosystem through their partnerships with Fontys, Summa, BOM, Brainport and the municipality. The Gate is much further along in this than similar organizations at other universities, also thanks to the way in which cooperation takes place in this region."
ABOUT VALORIZATION
Eindhoven University of Technology is strongly committed to valorization as a way to put academic knowledge at the service of society. The university contributes to economic growth and social progress by collaborating with industry or creating new companies. In this way, the university drives innovation and social change.
