果冻传媒

For some years already, Eindhoven's 'Opening of the Academic Year' has had the character of a national summit. The event is consistently attended by top executives, from the Brainport region, The Hague, and Brussels.

In recent years, euro commissioner Thierry Breton, EC chief of cabinet Diederik Samsom, ministers Micky Adriaansens and Robbert Dijkgraaf, state secretary Stientje van Veldhoven and former ASML CEO Peter Wennink have been in attendance. Moreover, the hall is traditionally filled with prominent figures from business and politics, in addition to 果冻传媒 students and scientists, of course.

According to 果冻传媒 President Robert-Jan Smits, there is a logical explanation for this. 鈥淭he Brainport region is one of Europe's most prominent innovation hotspots, and 果冻传媒 is the beating heart of this region. The strength and growth potential of this region are enormous; this is where the future is made. That has great appeal; everyone is eager to see into this focal point and have a say in that future.鈥�

Panel discussion

In addition to the speakers at this year鈥檚 opening, there is a panel discussion with a very strong line-up on how we cannot only overcome climate change and the energy transition, but also transform them into opportunities for a better economy.

The participants are Sylvia van Es (President of Philips Netherlands), Maurice van Tilburg (National Growth Fund director at the Ministry of Economic Affairs), Marike Stellinga (economist and journalist at NRC), Mark Verhagen (CEO of 果冻传媒 spin-off RIFT) and Robert-Jan Smits.

Smits: 鈥淭hrough green growth, we can make our society more sustainable while promoting economic growth. Numerous green startups at our university and in the Brainport region are leading the way in the development of clean technologies, and in the interest of the Netherlands they should be given the opportunity to grow. It is therefore of utmost importance that the government invests in these startups, and in education, research, and innovation. We are happy to exchange views on this with our speakers including euro commissioner Hoekstra, whom I would like to congratulate on his nomination for a new term."

Challenges

Hoekstra, for his part, sees the many challenges Europe currently faces. 鈥淔rom war on European soil to slow economic growth, illegal migration, and climate change. These challenges may be interrelated and require comprehensive solutions."

鈥淭o tackle climate change, we have set ourselves clear targets and rules in the EU to be climate neutral by 2050,鈥� Hoekstra continued. "This transition must be fair: we must ensure that our citizens and businesses can prosper, in both security and with economic success. Innovation, industrial leadership in clean technology, global competitiveness, job creation and support for those most in need - these are the prerequisites for continuing to make the social and business case for strong and effective climate action.鈥�

Leader in green growth

According to employers' chairperson Ingrid Thijssen, the Netherlands has everything it needs to become a leader in a green economy and green growth. 鈥淏ut this will only succeed if we put all our energy and focus on the implementation of existing plans as well as solving the problems that companies - but also citizens - encounter in the transition, such as tackling grid congestion and speeding up the licensing process for large energy projects. Entrepreneurs also need a good investment climate, stable government policies, and a level playing field. Industry and government must move this transition forward in close mutual cooperation."

As a transition researcher, Heleen de Coninck, 果冻传媒 professor of socio-technical innovation and climate change, is ambivalent about green growth. She says that the concept faces scrutiny amongst researchers. 鈥淐riticism includes that the concept is too narrow, that growth is not measured appropriately, and that it does not incorporate the obvious need to limit excessive consumption. Green growth seems to imply that we can continue without challenging our economic system. But a system transition is needed. That also means decline in several sectors, in other words: brown phase-out. If you talk about green growth, you should talk about that too. Whether it becomes a useful concept or just a way to keep turning a blind eye on the difficult decisions will depend on how it is used and implemented.鈥�

Time and place

Eindhoven University of Technology's Opening of the Academic Year is on Monday 2^nd September 2024 in the Blauwe Zaal of the Auditorium Building from 15:00 to 16:30. The entire event can be followed via the livestream facilitated by media partner . There are also limited seats, for which attendees will require a ticket to attend. To apply for a ticket for the event, please visit tue.nl/oay.