“Sometimes we forget, soft skills can be the hardest skills of them all”
High-tech development relies heavily on diverse teams of multidisciplined experts, each with a specific role. But in today’s cutting edge, it’s not just the expertise that’s diverse. According to High Tech Institute trainer and autism expert Peter Vermeulen, neurodivergent brains are also playing an essential role, and if utilized correctly, can lead to great benefits.
“Prepare to be frustrated and try to remember, it gets better”
For even the most culture-savvy expats, Dutch directness inside the workplace can serve as a bit of a shock. According to ASML design engineer Marco Allegri, who joined the Dutch work culture from Italy, the transition can be a little frustrating. But, he says, once you learn where it stems from, you’ll learn to appreciate the typical Dutch communication style.
Rule 3: Instrument and use the data
So, here’s a little puzzle for you: you have a piece of rope that just fits around the earth at the equator. You now add 1 meter long sticks all around the equator and put the rope on top of these sticks. How much longer do you need to make the rope? Of course, you remember from one of your science classes that the circumference of the earth at the equator is a bit over 40,000 kilometers. So, maybe something like a meter for every kilometer? If that was your first thought, you’re really far off. The right answer is 6.28 meters! Surprised?
Photonfirst ready to claim world leadership in integrated photonic sensing
Photonfirst is looking to become the world’s innovation leader in integrated photonic sensing. It’s just a matter of reaching the stepping stones that will take its technology to high-volume sales. With a few dozen of potential applications in six different markets, the Alkmaar-based company is quickly closing in on a pivot point.
E-magy looks to accelerate the EV market with next-gen batteries
After developing a new method to create nanosilicon structures for more effective EV batteries, Dutch cleantech company E-magy is putting its money where its mouth is, including its new 5-million-euro investment, to ramp up production and help drive the energy transition.
EMC knowledge overcomes problems in motion systems
Initiates in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) will undoubtedly know Mart Coenen. His experience in the field can be traced back to the early eighties when he set up the first EMC training at Philips. In the meantime, he’s earned his spurs with clients such as the Port of Rotterdam and ASML. He still talks about his specialism with undiminished enthusiasm – just ask any of the participants in the training “EMC for motion systems” at High Tech Institute.
The circle lords: a testament to Willem Maris’ leadership at ASML
The much-praised leadership of Willem Maris, ASML CEO from 1990 to 1999, didn’t develop under the influence of the headstrong crowd in Veldhoven. It was more or less innate to him, according to the stories of colleagues who knew him from early on in his career at Philips.
System architecture and leadership – practical and no-nonsense
High Tech Institute is launching an intensive System Architect Masters (Sysam) training program for system architects and systems engineers. Ger Schoeber and Jaco Friedrich offer aspiring professionals a robust nine-month program of training and coaching on their own projects.
Chasing a single source of truth
At last year’s Sysarch conference, model-based systems engineering expert Jon Holt sat down with High Tech Institute’s Ger Schoeber to discuss MBSE. “In five years, all systems engineering will be model based,” according to Holt, currently the technical director of Incose UK.
Will Intel save Europe’s semiconductor ambitions?
Yes. No. Maybe. Let’s not rush into things.
Partial de-globalization appears inevitable
My granddaughter recently turned two years old. In the life ahead of her, I see two significant challenges looming: global warming and China being the dominant power in an interconnected world. When her father was her age, I was working as a postdoc in a group at Harvard with a number of graduate students of Chinese background: one from Hong Kong, one from mainland China and three from Taiwan. The father of the one from Hong Kong also had a domicile in British Columbia. Like many of his fellow Hongkongers, he acted on the expectation that the handover of Hong Kong in 1997 would ultimately lead to systematic integration. Events proved them right.