Jasper’s Day – On a trip with the Board of Deans
On Wednesday 5 November, Jasper sets off on the annual study trip for the Board of Deans together with the Executive Board. Because of budget cuts, they’re staying a bit closer to home this year. But that doesn’t make the trip any less enjoyable — as you’ll read in this column.
Jasper Knoester is the dean of the Faculty of Science. How is he doing, what exactly does he do and what does his day look like? In each newsletter, Jasper gives an insight into his life.
‘At seven o’clock I wake up for the second time. Five was far too early, but now I really have to get up. I have breakfast and get ready for the day. And today I also pack an overnight bag, because we’re going on the deans’ trip with the Executive Board all the way to Noordwijk!
Getting to know the study associations
The weather is lovely, and in good spirits I cycle to the station. Well before nine I arrive at the Gorlaeus Building. That gives me time to make a cup of tea and read a few pages before the first meeting starts: an introduction to SV Life, the study association for Life Science and Technology. Every autumn we meet with the boards of the study associations. These are always inspiring and lively conversations, and I’m struck every time by the enthusiasm with which a small group of five or six students runs an entire association for a year. Beforehand we receive their annual plan and budget, which always provide plenty of material for good discussions. As usual, time flies by.
Opening up our doors for regional organisations
Next, I meet with Tim Stegwee to discuss ongoing matters regarding strategic partnerships and research opportunities, both regional and national. One of the topics is a request from HiDelta, the organisation that connects and represents the technological industry in South Holland. They would like to hold their New Year’s reception in the Gorlaeus Building — a perfect fit with our ambition to open our doors wider and strengthen ties with regional companies and organisations. So of course, we’re happy to say yes. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase some of our brilliant work and our state-of-the-art facilities. The more people see what we’re capable of, the greater the chances of collaboration, impact and perhaps even new research funding.
After a meeting with Monique Leemkuil about appointments, nominations and other academic matters, and a quick online call with the UNA Europa office in Leuven, I hop on my bike again and head for the Rapenburg. There I park my bike and join the other deans, waiting for the taxi that will take us to Noordwijk.
Satellites and earth observations: the importance of space
The deans’ trip is a two-day annual outing to visit an organisation we think we can learn from. Part of the time is used for discussions between the Executive Board and the deans about a strategic topic. Given the current budget cuts, this year’s trip stays closer to home. We’re focusing on partners in our region, today at NL Space Campus, and tomorrow at Key Region Leiden.
We start at the Space Business Innovation Centre, where Marc Sandrlowski tells us about regional cooperation in the field of space technology and particularly how it benefits life here on Earth, through communication and earth observation. His story ties in perfectly with several of our faculty’s research themes, so I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. It’s also great to see the other deans, for whom this is a bit further from their everyday work, discovering what “space” really means and how essential it is to our daily lives.
The same goes for our visit to ESA-ESTEC, the European Space Agency’s large research and technology centre. I’ve been there before, but with over 3,000 employees in Noordwijk, there’s always something new to see. This time, for instance, we visit the enormous test hall where entire satellites are subjected to the conditions they’ll face during launch and in orbit, such as intense vibrations, vacuum, and extreme temperature changes. Unfortunately, no photos allowed.
A beautiful conclusion by the sea
After the visit we head to the hotel by the sea. The weather is still glorious, and we enjoy a beautiful sunset. Dinner — and the hours after — are filled with relaxed conversations in ever-changing groups. Luc Sels, our brand-new Executive Board chair, is also with us, making it a perfect opportunity to get to know each other better. I’m one of the last to head up to my room, where I read for a while before turning out the light.
It was a wonderful day — outward-looking, yet also strengthening the bonds between everyone who joined. And all of that, so close to home!
