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Het Nieuwjaarscongres van de Watersector

75 jaar en nog lang niet klaar! Op vrijdag 10 januari 2025, organiseert TU Delft, hét Nieuwjaarscongres voor de Nederlandse Watersector. Deze jubileumeditie heeft de titel: 75 jaar en nog lang niet klaar! en de uitdagingen van “nu” worden belicht door boeiende sprekers uit de diverse gremia (drinkwater, waterschappen, universiteiten, bedrijven). Vóór de Nieuwjaarsborrel zal Gerrit Hiemstra ook de watersector de weg naar duurzaamheid wijzen... Voorlopig programma 10.00 Welkomstwoord Nieuwjaarswatercongres #75 10.10 Welkom door prof.dr.ir. Stefan Aarninkhof, Decaan Civiele Techniek en Geosciences TU Delft 10.20 Water stroomt waar het niet gaan kan, prof.dr.ir. Thom Bogaard, TU Delft 10.40 Micro-problemen met macro-aandacht? Macro-problemen met micro-aandacht! prof.dr.ir. Tanja Fernandes (IHE): 11.00 Hoe plannen we de nabije toekomst voordat die achter ons ligt? dr.ir. Andrew Segrave, KWR 11.20 Pauze 11.50 Wat je niet wilt, filter je er toch uit? ir. Michel Staatsen, NX Filtration 12.10 Kennismaken met drinkwaterdirecteur: Vivienne Frankot, WMD 12.30 Eruit halen wat erin zit; tegen welke prijs? drs. Eric van der Zandt, HDSR 12.50 Flash presentaties lopend onderzoek 13.20 Lunch 14.00 Hoe te veranderen en waarheen? dr. Gerdien de Vries, TU Delft 14.20 De wet zit aan het rechte eind, prof. mr.dr. Herman Havekes (UU, UvW): 14:40: Water vereist een globale aanpak, Ir. Esther Bosman, Ramboll Water 15:00: Prijsuitreikingen 15.20: Als wolken samen pakken… dr.ir. Gerrit Hiemstra 16.00-18.00 Nieuwjaarsreceptie! Meld je nu aan!

Empowering professionals – vital for the longevity of any organisation

Empowering professionals – vital for the longevity of any organisation “Employers need to recognise that allowing employees to develop themselves is essential to business success, and space must be made for that,” says Willem van Valkenburg, Executive Director of TU Delft’s Extension School for Continuing Education. In a recent Topic Talks interview on New Business Radio , van Valkenburg highlighted the need for a robust learning culture within organisations to keep pace with an evolving job market and rapid technological advancements. Barriers to continous development Reflecting on the learning culture in the Netherlands, as an example, van Valkenburg pointed out an often-overlooked barrier: although resources for professional development exist, business needs frequently take precedence, sidelining employee growth. “Employers must actively create environments that encourage continuous learning and foster dialogue about upskilling and growth opportunities. This is especially crucial for companies struggling with unfilled vacancies. When staffing is low, the demand on existing employees intensifies, making it harder to prioritise time for learning.” Recognising these challenges, TU Delft has developed short-duration online courses to help professionals fit learning around their work responsibilities. The importance of up-to-date skills is clear: businesses need to adopt new technologies to remain competitive, yet they often face skills gaps that traditional training does not cover. Van Valkenburg shared an example of a professional who, after completing TU Delft’s AI in Manufacturing course, applied their learning to increase production by 50%. To address the need for specialised knowledge, TU Delft’s approach goes beyond standard coursework, fostering innovation through collaborative learning communities. “Our learning communities bring together researchers, professionals, and policymakers to collaboratively address real-world problems. This structure enables participants to learn while actively solving practical challenges,” explained van Valkenburg. Throughout the conversation, van Valkenburg emphasised the value of aligning academic expertise with industry needs. By integrating TU Delft’s research into their courses, participants have access to the latest advancements, keeping them at the forefront of their fields. “Our courses, accessible in English and designed for a global audience, allow professionals from diverse sectors to stay ahead of technological shifts,” he said. Tangible impact In addition to cutting-edge content, the Extension School maintains a learner-centred approach. Feedback is integral, helping TU Delft ensure its courses remain relevant and impactful. “What moves me the most are people in developing countries who say, ‘I took a course on solar energy. With the knowledge I gained, I wrote a project plan to install solar panels in our village. Now, we have more electricity and can develop ourselves further.'" Building lifelong learning at all levels is essential to creating a resilient workforce and a sustainable future. TU Delft’s Extension School is committed to keeping these conversations alive, empowering professionals worldwide to drive meaningful change. For those interested in hearing the full interview in Dutch, please click the link. Luister hier Support Willem van Valkenburg and our work by giving us a shout-out on LinkedIn linkedin

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