’We need to make sure that tax money for research flows back into society’

[VIDEO] In the second episode of our video series Boardwalk, President of our Executive Board Robert-Jan Smits explains why valorization is important for our university.

Who are our board members’ What do they do and why are they so passionate about their work’ These are all questions that are answered in our online video series Boardwalk. Every quarter, we visit a special place on campus with a board member and talk to them about one of their themes. In the second episode, Robert-Jan Smits, President of our Executive Board, explains why valorization is so important for the region.

The best conversations often arise during a walk. That is why our Executive Board would love to take a walk around our campus with everyone who works or studies at the TU/e. Because that unfortunately does not work out, the Boardwalks are created. We quarterly visit a special place on campus with one member of the Executive Board, and record and share that with the entire TU/e community in a video.

In this second episode, we meet the President of our Executive Board, Robert-Jan Smits. Smits has been involved in innovation and valorization for more than 30 years. He did so in his previous job in Europe, where he was responsible for the European science and innovation programs. He’s also committed to this in his current role as President of the Executive Board. Four years ago, he took the initiative to start The Gate , ’the one-stop-shop for tech start-ups’, as he calls it.

With several partners in the region, the university offers a place to develop, work, and exchange knowledge and advice for entrepreneurs. This makes valorization possible, converting knowledge into profitable products and services.

A physical place like The Gate contributes to this. Two start-ups ( Antennex and Tibo Energy ) explain how they benefit from this partnership. Smits is impressed by the number of start-ups that have been able to develop into companies. He also discusses why collaboration with industry is important for our university.

Boardwalk and StayTU/ened

The Executive Board consists of three members and a university secretary, each of whom has their own role and portfolio. For each episode, we highlight one of their themes. Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts, for example, expressed her commitment to well-being in the first Boardwalk episode.

Boardwalk will feature a different board member every quarter. In this way, Boardwalk alternates nicely with Stay TU/ened , in which TU/e employes and students have their say. Both programs are shared on our intranet and can be found on TU/e’s YouTube channel.

The next episode of Boardwalk will be released in January. This third episode will feature Vice President Patrick Groothuis.