16 Feb 2011
The infrastructure research programme of TU Delft’s Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management was awarded maximum scores for scientific quality, productivity, societal relevance and vitality. The scores obtained by the Modern Societies in Transition research programme at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences at TU Eindhoven were equally impressive.
This is good news for the BSIK research project Next Generation Infrastructures, to which both research groups are major contributors. The positive assessment results achieved by both groups and their programmes confirm that infrastructure research has been put firmly on the map in recent years. Next Generation Infrastructures is delighted to have been able to make a contribution to this achievement by encouraging and supporting excellent researchers and their projects.
Inspection committee impressed
As the quotes below show, the inspection committee was deeply impressed by the infrastructure research programme at TU Delft. “The Committee has never seen a research programme as impressive as this programme in terms of quality, productivity and outreach.”
“The quality of scientific relevant research is outstanding. The originality of work, both analytically and technically, is excellent.”
“The quality and productivity rating and the related impacts are ‘off the charts’ in terms of expansion rates.”
“Last, but not least, the robustness and stability of the programme is reflected not only in its size, diversity and leadership but also in its intellectual depth.”
“This is a strong, high-quality, productive programme that is socially relevant and works to maintain that relevance. It is vital and flexible.”
About the research at Eindhoven, the committee had this to say: “This is a first-rate programme which might be described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the School and the department. It is innovative and entrepreneurial.”
Periodic research inspections
In September 2010, VSNU’s prescribed periodic research inspections turned their focus on the research at TU Delft’s Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, TU Eindhoven’s Faculty of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences and the University of Twente’s School of Management and Governance.
An assessment committee consisting of international academic heavyweights visited all 17 participating research programmes on location to discuss the content, results and management of each programme with the programme heads and a delegation of researchers. All of the research programmes were assessed on scientific quality, productivity, relevance and viability.
