Message from the Editors
As we release the 11th issue of InnovatieNU, themed around lifelong learning, it seems only fitting to reflect on the journey that has led us here. Although it feels like yesterday, it is already more than three years ago since we rolled out our inaugural issue entitled “Empowering Manufacturing”. A title that has been the narrative for all our publications, issue after issue, pushing the boundaries of the manufacturing landscape.
We’ve published articles on numerous breakthrough technologies — like 5G, AI, VR, and Additive Manufacturing — each highlighted by industrial applications and challenges.
Our commitment to understanding these challenges and industry needs has grown stronger over time, reflecting the core lifelong learning we enthusiastically recommend. The exploration of these technologies—be it industrial 5G, digital twinning, additive manufacturing, or augmented reality—has been a source of continuous fascination and inspiration. Yet, it’s the realm of Artificial Intelligence that has truly captured my imagination, promising an exponential growth and impact on the entire society: both in our personal lives and professionally. It’s this very potential that beckons me towards a new chapter in my journey.
In moments of reflection, I’ve sought comfort in the enduring words of Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher who famously said “The only constant in life is change”. It is a reminder that life is full of transitions and an avenue for personal growth, newfound knowledge, and experiences. And today I find myself at one of those transitions. After years of dedication to the University of Twente, Fraunhofer, and InnovatieNU, I will delve myself into the intricacies of AI. By the time these words reach you, I will have embarked on this new venture, immersing myself in the digital symphony of ones and zeros.
As I step into this new phase of my lifelong learning journey, I take with me the enduring wisdom of Heraclitus, a reminder that in this fast-forward world, the ability to adapt, to change, and to grow is not just our greatest challenge but our greatest gift. It’s with a hopeful heart that I envision our paths crossing once more, each of us richer in experience and insight. Thus, as I move forward, I bid you farewell, not as a goodbye but as an invitation to continue exploring, learning, and evolving.
With deepest gratitude,
Program Lead EDIH / Research Engineer
Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente
