TU/e has adopted a research strategy in the field of Resilience & Security, according to information published on the university’s website. Cursor has not yet been able to review the report underlying the strategy, which is the result of an exploratory process. According to a TU/e spokesperson, the report still requires some adjustments and will not be finalized until after the summer.

Military

As part of the plan, TU/e is considering launching a pilot for the National Resilience Training Program (NWT), in which students would take a minor as part of their bachelor’s program in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense.

An information session about the NWT minor was held in April. Only six students attended. Nevertheless, the university writes that an initial inquiry indicates there is interest in the program.

The coming period will determine how the minor can be incorporated into bachelor’s programs. For example, students participating in the NWT are also required to complete ten weeks of practical experience as military personnel. Leiden University and the University of Groningen already offer the minor.

Exploratory process

The plan also identifies four relevant research areas in which TU/e wants to grow. These are Intelligent Systems—including cybersecurity—Sensors, Logistics, and Advanced Materials. The university has recently launched a new flagship initiative in the latter field. Quantum technology, space research, autonomous energy hubs, and medical technology are also considered potential focus areas for defense-related research.

The plan was preceded by a lengthy exploratory process. During this process, Susan Hommerson of General Affairs and Geert-Jan van Houtum, dean of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, examined what a more structural collaboration with the Ministry of Defense could look like. In November last year, Hommerson said she knew of at least one hundred researchers who were willing to collaborate with Defense.

Open science

At the end of last year, dialogue sessions on resilience and security were also organized, allowing staff and students to share their opinions and questions. During one of these meetings, most attendees appeared to be open to greater collaboration with Defense, although they did express concerns about the implications for open science.

Another recurring theme is that TU/e wants to focus exclusively on defensive applications. Earlier, Frank Bosch of the Ministry of Defense told Cursor that it is not possible to distinguish between defensive and offensive applications, because in practice many defensive applications can also be used for offensive purposes. The press release does not make clear how the university views this issue within this new strategy plan.

As a reason for the plans, the university cites “the strongly increased need to keep our country and Europe safe through our own capabilities.” According to TU/e, the university can make a significant contribution in this area and is therefore taking responsibility.

After the summer, the university will examine how Resilience & Security can be organized within the university so that the plans can be launched in January 2027.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.