An energizing kick-off event at November 9th 2024 marked the beginning of a special Master’s programme, jointly offered by three renowned technical universities in the Netherlands. Hosted in Eindhoven, the event united a diverse group of students, professors and partners of the MPOP programme eager to explore the intersection of technology, innovation, and light.
The day began at the Philips Museum, where students were immersed in the rich history of light and lighting devices, a journey that showcased the pioneering contributions of Philips to the lighting industry. The museum’s exhibits provided a fascinating look into the evolution of light sources, from the early designs to the cutting-edge solutions of today.
Following the museum tour, the students were joined by guest speaker Jean Schleipen, Principal Scientist and Team Lead at Philips Research, who gave an insightful presentation on the latest applications of photonics. The speaker highlighted groundbreaking advancements in the field, including developments in medical imaging.
After a day of learning and exploration, the group gathered for a dinner, where they had the chance to network and bond with peers and professors. The relaxed atmosphere allowed for valuable connections to be made, setting the stage for collaborative work throughout the programme.
The evening concluded with a visit to the renowned Glow Light Festival, where the students experienced a spectacular display of light art installations across the city. The festival, which celebrates creativity and technology, was a perfect conclusion to a day dedicated to the power of light and making valuable connections.
This well-attended kick-off event successfully combined history, innovation, and creativity, setting the tone for academic and professional growth for the Master’s students.
Empower Students Today to Build the Workforce of Tomorrow!
The optics and photonics ecosystem thrives on connections between students, researchers, creators and industry partners. For companies and research organisations the MPOP programme can be an accessible step to start building the future with new talent.
Ruud Vullers, Director R&D of SMART Photonics:
“Photonics is a relative new field. It is growing tremendously, and with it the need for qualified people. This demanding growth can only be sustained if there are enough new people being educated. The MasterPlus Optics & Photonics (MPOP) is an essential element to be able to attract and educate new professionals. Students are a great pool of talent, they help us explore new directions. Over the last 4 years, we have had 6 of 23 students who decided to accept a job offer at our company after their internship or PhD assignment was finished.”
“To attract students, our company provides lectures at the universities and is present at selected conferences and events. SMART Photonics is also open for company visits. We strengthen the ties between SMART Photonics and the involved academic groups. This has led to an increased cooperation, in the form of joint national and EU funded projects and papers. Furthermore, it has increased the visibility of SMART Photonics within the academia, attracting PhD students to apply for SMART Photonics.”
MPOP partners are: PhotonDelta, Optics Netherlands, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente. www.MPOP-programme.com
Photos by Saskia Holtjer
