oldtimers

Recently we celebrated the 25-year anniversaries of associate professor Henny Romijn and professor Erik van der Vleuten, both from the TIS Group. After a heartfelt ceremony, they received beautiful flowers from managing director Marieke van der Hoeven.

Henny Romijn’s journey began here after years of practical work in development cooperation in East Africa and South Asia. She had to get used to life as an academic, and the, in her eyes, rigidity of the complex organization. She herself says, “it is actually quite special that I am still here.” Nevertheless, she found her niche, because the TU/e also opened doors that allowed her to realize her passion for research and education at the service of international sustainable development in the poorest parts of the world. On the one hand by means of research projects, but especially by inspiring students and PhD students to also dedicate themselves in their own way to the enormous challenges there, and by facilitating internships and graduation research.

Erik van der Vleuten left after his TeMa studies to study abroad where he also obtained his PhD. In 1999 he returned to TU/e as a postdoc to collaborate on the national history program Techniek in Nederland in the 20e eeuw. In 2015, he was appointed full professor of history of technology. Erik finds historical reflection on engineering and society very important, especially in times of great social upheaval, and especially for engineering students. He loves interacting with students and is particularly proud of student appreciation, such as his nomination as best TU/e master lecturer 2023. With the new 4TU Center for History of Technology, the field is getting a new boost.