For the first time since I started working at the university, I have registered for the opening of the academic year. My colleagues at CEC are always very busy preparing for this event and, to be honest, I would also like to see some of these prominent Dutch speakers in real life.   

But what do I actually think about collaborating with parties that develop products for the defense industry? Should TU/e develop technology to keep the Netherlands and Europe safe? If you had asked me this a few years ago, the answer would have been a clear “no”. Why cooperate with, or develop for, parties that make money from manufacturing weapons of war, intended to kill people? Wouldn't it be better to invest in education, healthcare, and a better environment?

Now I am less certain. I‘m thinking back to a conversation with a colleague a few months ago, when representatives of a military company would possibly visit an exhibition of our student projects. My initial reaction was: my peace-loving, pacifist heart is protesting against this. We claim to develop products that improve society and people's lives. How can that be reconciled with the arms industry? 

My colleague, who was born in Moldova, was very passionate about this, however. In her native country (located between Romania and Ukraine), the threat is real: “Western Europe has been naive for a long time. Do you really think that after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Russia stopped arming itself and the intelligence services stopped infiltrating?”

A clear opinion? I haven’t quite made up my mind yet. There are still so many shades of gray between black and white. That’s why it’s good to hear other opinions. Not only from the Minister of Defense and our Executive Board, but also from colleagues, students, and University Rebellion.

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