How do you achieve your dream? A dream that shapes a development in the future? On Friday, 3 October, three prominent UT alumni will be back on campus and share their surprising, progressive, or eventful careers and provide insights into the challenges in their current activities. The common thread throughout: what drives them? An afternoon full of inspiration for every alumnus and other interested parties. Plenty of opportunities to ask questions in the auditorium or during the drinks afterwards! (Please note that this activity is in Dutch)
Speakers 2025
Johnny Søraker – Responsible AI Governance Lead at Google - Philosophy / PhD
Johnny Søraker is a Norwegian philosopher and AI ethicist, currently working at Google as Responsible AI Governance Lead. Søraker shares his thoughts on how to responsibly develop and deploy AI. He obtained his PhD in Ethics of Technology from the University of Twente in 2010. He subsequently worked as an Assistant Professor at the Philosophy of Science and Technology Department. Johnny was voted Teacher of the Year in 2012.
Pavlina Nanou – co-founder and COO of TORWASH BV - Chemical Science & Engineering / PhD
Greek-Dutch Pavlina Nanou is co-founder and COO of TORWASH BV, a spin-off of TNO Energy Transition. Nanou will talk about how innovative technologies alone are not enough to build a successful business. After her Master’s degree in Chemical Science & Engineering, Pavlina obtained her PhD in 2013 for research into the gasification of biomass for methane production, both at the University of Twente. In 2024, Pavlina was selected KIVI engineer of the year.
Siete Hamminga – founder and CEO of Robin Radar Systems - Industrial Engineering & Management
Siete Hamminga is the founder and CEO of Robin Radar Systems, a company that specialises in radar systems for detecting and classifying small flying objects such as birds and drones. To grow the defence industry, scalability is crucial, Hamminga says: for that, the sector does not need subsidies; we need deals. Hamminga studied Industrial Engineering and Management at the University of Twente from 1994 to 2001. His leadership was recognised in 2024 with the UT Van den Kroonenberg Prize and the Martin Schröder Prize.
And you can be at this edition of the Alumni Talks! Buy your ticket via this link and ensure yourself a spot. We look forward to your arrival and will ensure that a nice drink is ready in the Vestingbar afterwards!
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