Brief research news
Inauguration Frank Huijben on 17 October
The stage of Gebouw-T in Bergen op Zoom is for Frank Huijben on Thursday, October 17th.In the venue where numerous bands from home and abroad play weekly, Frank will be inaugurated as lector Biobased Construction.
Gebouw-T is a place that perfectly suits Frank Huijben. On one hand, as a pop venue, it is a leader in sustainability and biobased solutions. Additionally, Frank is an avid guitarist in his free time. These qualities will not be the main focus on October 17th in the hall at Wilhelminaveld in Bergen op Zoom. The main event of the ‘Biobased Construction | A Healthy Choice’ is Frank’s inaugural lecture. In it, he will outline his plans for the research group for the coming years.
Next, you can follow masterclasses on the research lines and meet the (lecturer) researchers and students of the research group. You can also learn everything about biobased innovations in the Biobased Construction Experience. You can register via the MNEXT website.
HZ and Dow extend cooperation
HZ University of Applied Sciences and Dow Benelux have extended their collaboration until 2029.
HZ board chairwoman Barbara Oomen and area president Tabita Verburg of DOW signed a cooperation agreement in early July.
The cooperation is of great importance to both parties, emphasized Oomen and Verburg at the signing in DOW’s office in Terneuzen. "DOW is the largest employer in the region, and we provide many students with internships and traineeships at DOW. Our students are also conducting research at DOW within several research groups."
HZ and DOW have collaborated for years. That cooperation now extends until the end of 2029.
Second edition Datafest big success
It was ‘a long but fantastic day’ at the Joint Research Center Zeeland, said HZ lecturer in Data Science and key organizer Mischa Beckers on Thursday, May 30, around 11:00 PM. At the late hour, he looked back more than satisfied on the second edition of Datafest.
This time, the hackathon focused on mobility. About 50 students from HZ University of Applied Sciences, University College Roosevelt, and Scalda worked in the JRCZ Data Science Lab from eight in the morning until late at night in teams to find solutions for the traffic congestion around the Sloebrug in Vlissingen.
They had datasets from the province of Zeeland and Rijkswaterstaat at their disposal. They could also rely on the expertise of specialists such as Martijn Bierman, Coen Verhoeve, Sanne van de Linde, Radboud van der Linden, Ties van Ederen, and coaches Gert Jacobusse, Jolène Cijsouw, Bente Sinke, Michiel Veen, Marijn Jansen, Tina Rozsos, and Loek van der Linde. At the end of the day, prizes were awarded for ‘best use of technology’, ‘best data story’ and an overall prize.
A jury including Provincial Executive Jo-Annes de Bat, Ferry Brasz from the province, Gilbert Westdorp from Rijkswaterstaat, Alexei Karas from UCR, and Ralph van der Wekke from HZ awarded the main prize to the team of Dieuwertje de Beer, Koen Denekamp, Eelke Spijkers, Sebastian Dooly, and Niek Wildschut. Based on all data on road, train, and maritime traffic, they advised considering bridge openings especially during rush hours to reduce traffic jams.
Day of the Sports Research is in Vlissingen
On Thursday, November 21, HZ University of Applied Sciences will host the Day of Sports Research. Researchers in the field of sports and exercise from all over the country will come to Vlissingen.
The conference will take place in De Lasloods and HZ on Edisonweg. The theme is ‘Sports and exercise for everyone. From local actions to system change’. Participants will delve into research and developments within sports and exercise on November 21, contributing to sustainable implementation for everyone. “By everyone, we really mean everyone,” say researchers from the Healthy Region research group, who are helping organize the day. The program will be announced later, but it is known that Kees-Jan van der Klooster will be the day’s chairman. The inhabitant of Zeeland participated in the Paralympic Games twice as a sit-skier. Registration will open soon. Any questions? Email: info@dagvanhetsportonderzoek.nl.
Jo-Annes de Bat visits Zeeland Society
On Thursday, July 4, Provincial Executive Jo-Annes de Bat visited the HZ Center for Community Research Zeeland (HZ KCZS).
Researchers Luc Verschuren, Emma Duvekot, Jolanda van Overbeeke, Jesse Kamstra, and research manager Margot Tempelman spoke with the provincial executive about all developments around the knowledge center.
The knowledge center contributes to the quality of life in Zeeland with knowledge and research. It conducts research on the well-being of young people in Zeeland, the provincial labor market, and broader prosperity in Zeeland.
The province is the largest client. In one of the rooms of the HZ tower, De Bat could choose which (completed) studies he wanted to be updated on based on statements and propositions.
Training for the heat transition
‘Training for the Heat Transition’ is an educational project of the Delta Power research group of HZ and Scalda, supported by Zeeland companies like Equans, Yara, Dow, and Neste and public financiers JTF and the Zeeland Public Interests Foundation.
Together, they aim to educate more than 200 students about the heat transition in the coming years. Existing technical programs at HZ and Scalda will be enhanced with techniques such as heat pumps, aqua- and solar-thermal energy, and the use of residual heat. There will also be physical teaching setups to make these techniques understandable for students, theoretical foundations, and assessment materials. In early June, representatives from educational institutions, financiers, and other interested parties gathered at the Scalda pilot plant in Terneuzen. They shared practical examples from the Zeeland business community that will become part of the educational modules. For more information, visit this website.
Bus tour on protein transition
Dozens of students from the Chemistry and Food Business Innovation programs at HZ University of Applied Sciences toured the province of Zeeland in June with teachers, researchers, and experts from HZ, Scalda, Dockwize, and Impuls Zeeland.
With the Food Challenge Bus, they visited companies involved in marine proteins, such as mussels and seaweed. This theme is also important in the Delta Protein icon project of the Delta Climate Center, which researches the protein transition in Zeeland.
It was the third time the bus ran. This time, the students visited Dutch Seaweed Group, Wilthagen in Tholen, the Hatchery Roem van Yerseke in Yerseke, and Restaurant Zeeuwse Streken. During the tour, they were challenged to develop an idea into a convincing pitch, form teams, and test their ideas in the market through interviews.
Entrepreneurs for the future
Ageeth van Maldegem was inaugurated as a lecturer in New Business Models at HZ University of Applied Sciences in May.
The ceremony took place during the ‘Entrepreneurs for the Future’ event on sustainable entrepreneurship. With her research group, Ageeth investigates how to create new business models and how these can drive dynamic, broad prosperity.
Besides Ageeth, there were several guest speakers: Tanja Wieringa talked about how customers can guide towards sustainable business models, Nina de Korte explained the principles of steward-ownership, and Erik Stam discussed the regional conditions necessary for entrepreneurship to achieve societal missions. Artist and food entrepreneur Rem van den Bosch, Jos Westerbeeke from Camping Olmenveld, and Melissa Dunkle from Dow Benelux participated in a panel discussion on how to practice sustainable entrepreneurship.
At the end of the day, the Changemaker Award was presented, a prize for a (former) student or employee who contributes exceptionally entrepreneurially to the goals of HZ. The jury awarded Ocean Ceramics, created by HZ alumni Sem van der Vinne, Justin Walhout, Roy Duerink, and Daan Muller, the prize for (former) students and employees. They received a trophy and a check for 750 euros. There was also an encouragement prize for Dilek Gül-Dogan, who connects people in different environments, such as during meeting evenings and refugee work. Eleven initiatives were nominated for the first Changemaker Award.
Watch the aftermovie here.
Prestigious award for JRCZ Data Science Lab
Lab manager Loek van der Linde, Data Science lecturer Mischa Beckers, and project leader Jorick Vos received a prestigious award for the Data Science Lab at the Joint Research Center Zeeland (JRCZ) in Athens at the end of May.
They received the Best Overall AV-enabled Education Space award during the international EUNIS congress. "We are incredibly proud," Jorick said after the award ceremony. “We always knew we were doing something innovative. Now you also get international recognition. That is very special,” Mischa said.
The lab features the latest technologies to allow students, teachers, researchers, and the field to collaborate optimally. Together, they make complex data issues visually innovative. The lab was developed in collaboration with the company Ocular.
Four components
The JRCZ Data Science Lab was evaluated on four components: pedagogy, AV technology, innovation, and benefits. The jury said the technology creates added value in learning and teaching. “The design is innovative, goes beyond standard classrooms, and contributes to learning objectives.”
The award for IT projects in higher education is an initiative of the European University Information Systems organization (EUNIS). The European organization brings together people responsible for IT management, development, and policy in higher education.
