New Chair Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM)

After six years of heading the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM), Professor Geurt Jongbloed will step down as chairman. He will be succeeded by Professor Kees Vuik on 1 April 2022.

Kees Vuik: "It is with great enthusiasm that I succeed Geurt Jongbloed as DIAM's Departmental Director. A thorough and advanced understanding of mathematics is the foundation for the developments we need as a society, from education through to scientific understanding and technological innovations."
Vuik said that in recent years, DIAM has thus been involved in several important developments in the fields of medicine, digital society and energy transition: "It gives me great pleasure to continue and broaden this development together with all my DIAM colleagues."

Lucas van Vliet, dean of EEMCS, emphasised the important role Geurt Jongbloed has played in shaping the impact of mathematics: "Under Geurt's inspiring leadership, DIAM has become the vibrant heart of applied mathematics. With his personal attention to people, culture and diversity, he has shaped the department. In doing so, he has always strived for the right balance between research and education, and also for synergy between cutting-edge fundamental mathematics and the societal impact of applied mathematics."

The appointment of Kees Vuik means that a highly experienced professor will once again be at the helm of DIAM, according to Van Vliet: "With his extensive record of service, Kees is a true international figurehead for mathematics. Thanks to his former role as Chair of 4TU.AMI and his current position as scientific director of the Delft Insitute for Computational Science and Engineering (DCSE), he has access to a very large national and international network. Kees is a real driving force, and he gets things done. A good example is the new supercomputer 'DelftBlue'. This high-performance computer will contribute to the excellence of research, education and innovation at TU Delft. I am very pleased that Kees wants to occupy this responsible position and wish him every success."