‘We create a golden circle of science, industrial application and socio-economic progress,’ says Biba Visnjicki, director of Business Development at the Twente branch, the Fraunhofer Project Center in Enschede. ‘We only have one main activity: finding new ways to translate relevant scientific knowledge into industrial solutions that benefit the economy and society as a whole.’
In the Netherlands the institute only works with one university: the University of Twente (UT). ‘A logical choice,’ says Visnjicki. ‘The UT is the only university in the Netherlands with a strong focus on, and a leading role in, the field of production and the manufacturing industry. With research in areas ranging from non-conventional production techniques, data science and cyber security to psychology, management and organization, the UT has all the areas of expertise needed to shape the industry of tomorrow. In addition, the Twente region, home to many manufacturing companies, is definitely the strongest Dutch region in advanced manufacturing. There is a lot of potential for further growth and an urgent need for what we offer.’
According to Visnjicki, the most pressing question in the manufacturing industry at the moment is: How can the industry use all the data it is now collecting with the help of sensor technology – on products, processes, chains and markets – to produce more intelligently? Visnjicki: ‘A university like the UT has in-depth knowledge that is essential to finding answers to this question. But the industry is in a hurry. Our job is not to rush scientists, or to turn them into solution sales people. Neither is it to tell industries to be patient. What we do and want to do is build creative bridges between the two.
Based on a specific customer request, together with our colleagues from Fraunhofer IPT, we set up extra resources and people – for example, Master’s students, post-doctoral researchers or project teams – to scour the scientific field for relevant knowledge and to convert what they find into working solutions, in collaboration with industry. It works both ways, because the industrial applicability of knowledge gives direction to new scientific research and stimulates scientists and students to think about the questions of tomorrow and the day after. It’s a golden circle.’
