Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte paid a working visit to the University of Twente. The theme of the premier's visit was how knowledge and expertise can most effectively be marketed. Rutte was full of praise for the region of Twente and for the entrepreneurial climate within the University of Twente: "I am truly impressed."
During his working visit to the University of Twente, Rutte was keen to find out about the UT's approach to entrepreneurship. Following his reception by Anne Flierman, Chair of the UT's Executive Board and Peter den Oudsten, mayor of Enschede and others, Rutte had talks with students, trainee research assistants, local entrepreneurs and UT professors. The programme also included a visit to the new nanolab.
LEADING THE WAY IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Prime Minister praised the way in which, as a university for applied research, the UT successfully combines fundamental research and entrepreneurship. "I am truly impressed." According to Rutte, the University of Twente is one of the few successful examples in this field in Europe. He said that the University of Twente was 'leading the way in the Netherlands' in the marketing of research. Both Rutte and Anne Flierman were keen to stress that this was an area that should not be confined to the boardroom but must be applied consistently and embedded across the whole organization. The 750 businesses that have emerged from the UT are a testament to the fact that this is already happening in Twente.
Rutte said that, before arriving at the UT, he had feared that the marketing of knowledge and innovation could undermine fundamental research, which he feels to be of essential importance. By the end of the working visit, the Prime Minister said that he was completely reassured on this point.
GENUINE INTEREST
Afterwards, Anne Flierman said that the working visit had been extremely successful. "Rutte showed genuine interest. We were able to show him how we excel in entrepreneurship here at the UT and that we achieve this through persistence, effective organization and by building on our strengths. In our case, these are ICT and biotechnology and nanotechnology combined with behavioural and social sciences."
You can find an extensive photo report of the Prime Minister's working visit here.
