Graduation ceremony of 500th Engineering Doctorate
The Faculty of Applied Sciences celebrated the 500th Engineering Doctorate (EngD) conferral during a milestone graduation ceremony on 9 June 2023. Fourteen new Applied Sciences EngDs graduates successfully finished their design-traineeships. Together with all predecessors, a total of 512 EngD graduates have obtained their degree since 1991.
The EngD (Engineering Doctorate degree, formerly PDEng) programmes are design-traineeships offered by Delft University of Technology, meant to teach trainees in possession of a Master’s degree to translate academic developments into real-life applications and industrial products. During two years, trainees follow courses and collaborate in projects with industrial partners, with the one-year Individual Design Project as proof of their abilities. There are four EngD programmes at Applied Sciences: Process & Equipment Design, Chemical Product Design, Bioproduct Design and Bioprocess Engineering.
Paulien Herder, dean of the faculty of Applied Sciences, chaired the festive mini-symposium at Heinde & Ver in Delft. Fourteen recent graduates from Applied Sciences received their EngD. Together with all predecessors, a total of 512 EngD graduates have successfully finished their degree at Applied Sciences since 1991. The event was joined by alumni, company representatives, and current and retired staff from Delft University of Technology involved in the Applied Sciences programmes over the years.
At the mini-symposium, programme directors Marcel Ottens (Bioprocess Engineering) and Pieter Swinkels (Process & Equipment Design) shared insights on the history and current status of the programmes. Director of Education Chris Kleijn presented the position of these programmes in the realm of Applied Sciences. Representatives from Janssen Biologics, Shell, Cargill and DSM shared their experience as alumni of the EngD programmes themselves. Professor Luuk van der Wielen highlighted the importance of the EngD programmes for innovation in the energy transition, circular chemistry, and in food and water security in the near future, both inside and outside the Netherlands.
