The Equipment and Prototype Center, or EPC in short, serves six TU/e ​​departments for the production of prototypes. These prototypes could include designs for experiments or glass objects for lab setups. The service is located in the Matrix building. The center will remain there for the time being, but its organizational relocation to the department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) will take place in early 2026.

The position of managing director at the EPC will be eliminated as a result. Wim Peters, who held that position until recently, retired. Therefore, the Executive Board's decision will not result in any forced redundancies. According to the Executive Board (EB), nothing else will change within the prototype center. The University Council approved this decision on November 24; it now needs to be officially amended in the Governance and Management Regulations (BBR).

Independence

However reassuring the board's promise of continuity may sound, for University Council member Martijn Klabbers, it's precisely a reason to question the repositioning decision. "If nothing changes in practice, what is the added value of the organizational relocation? Moreover, this means that the long-term survival of the EPC will be in the hands of the department of Mechanical Engineering, and no longer that of the university as a whole."

More efficient

University secretary Eric van der Geer-Rutten-Rijswijk stated in the University Council meeting that he wants to relocate the EPC to achieve better alignment. Questions to spokesperson Ivo Jongsma revealed that he means that the EPC "is firmly embedded in the departments for which it provides services and support. This means that communication runs smoothly and that everyone is well-informed about relevant developments." 

The Executive Board's plan for the organizational change states that it must ensure the continuity of the prototype center, improve efficiency, and strengthen its contribution to talent development. The board also wants to clearly define career prospects — from the EPC to the six departments or vice versa — with the aim of further strengthening the position of engineers within TU/e.

External clients

The council meeting also addressed the fact that the EPC receives many assignments from external clients. These are currently not prioritized because the center focuses on TU/e, according to the Executive Board.

After the organizational relocation, the focus will remain on internal clients, spokesperson Jongsma later stated. "However, we consider many external clients want to use the EPC's services an honor and proof of our expertise. Connection with the ecosystem outside TU/e ​​is also important. Therefore, the university wants to investigate how to best address this dual demand."

One might wonder why Mechanical Engineering was specifically chosen as the new home for the EPC. The department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry or Electrical Engineering could also have been an option, right? According to Jongsma, the choice for ME stems from pragmatism. "The managing director there has the capacity to manage the EPC, and ME has always been a major, strong partner in purchasing services from the prototype center."

Disappointment

The University Council reacted critically to the board's proposal. It advised postponing such a decision until the future governance structure is known, as it has long-term implications. Future governance revolves around the eponymous working group, which is working on the potential restructuring of the university into four departments.

The board expressed disappointment with the council’s recommendation. University president Koen Janssen emphasized the importance of remaining flexible if necessary.

However, because the majority of the council found no legal grounds to refuse approval and the board indicated that it saw no other options than this relocation, the council nevertheless approved the decision. After a recess, the University Council voted in favor of the proposal by eleven to four. As of January 1, 2026, the EPC will fall under Mechanical Engineering.