The Province of Fryslân awards JTF cheque for Engineering Doctorates in Autonomous Systems and Sustainable Process Design

On 24 Januari 2025, as part of the TONIC project, representative of the Province of Fryslân Friso Douwstra presented a European JTF (Just Transition Fund) cheque to Jouke de Vries of the UG/University of the North, Binne Visser of the Drachten Innovation Cluster (ICD), and Bart Labrie of Suspacc.

The grant will be allocated to the Engineering Doctorates in Autonomous Systems and Sustainable Process Design. An Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is an internationally recognized title that sits between a Master’s degree and a PhD in terms of level. EngD students in Autonomous Systems will carry out applied research at businesses in the region, such as Ventura Systems from Bolsward (part of ICD). EngD students in Sustainable Process Design will do the same at businesses within the Suspacc network.

The Drachten Innovation Cluster is a partnership between 23 high-tech businesses in the region. The cluster works in close cooperation with the UG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, NHL Stenden UAS, DC Terra and, Firda.

Suspacc is a network of green chemistry businesses in the Emmen region.

Both degree programmes are expected to supply a pool of professionals for the high-tech and process industries in the coming years.

International standing

Jouke de Vries: ‘Both EngD degree programmes are unique in the Netherlands and will appeal to talented Master’s students worldwide. The degree programmes cater to the innovation needs of Northern businesses and align well with the University of the North’s Beethoven plan, designed to train technically skilled personnel at an accelerated pace. Together with the ICD, which collaborates with educational and knowledge institutions ranging from vocational to university education, and Suspacc, we strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of the high-tech and process industries in our region.’

More information

• Province of Fryslân
• JTF
• UG
• ICD
• Suspacc