Internal and external groups have worked eight months on the ‘charcoal sketch’ for the TU/e Strategy 2020. The sketch mentions three action lines that must be leading for the next ten years. For example: four themes will be selected that are intended to enhance the social and economic impact of education and research programs. These thematic clusters will cut through Departmental borders and will each be equipped with their own scientific director, whose task will be to bring together all relevant partners and secure the financial resources. The existing Departments will remain intact.

Three themes are mentioned already in the sketch: sustainable energy, industrial innovation and health. The last-mentioned theme will involve a choice from smart mobility, human experience & well-being and intelligent lighting.

More differentiation is called for within education. This will among other things entail the establishment of a broad and intensive English-language Engineering Science Bachelor program, for which an Engineering College will be set up on campus, comparable with the University College in Utrecht. This program, for which one hundred and fifty graduating students are anticipated every year, will train a new type of engineer: multidisciplinary, internationally oriented, strong in teamwork and communication and with an enterprising disposition, according to the plan.

Social themes and life sciences and humanities must in the future be integrated emphatically with all study programs at TU/e. This will heighten the sustainable social recognizability of the programs and, what is more, will make them more attractive for new groups of potential students, women in particular. The intake of women especially must be raised drastically. Within a ten-year period the share of women in the Bachelor program must go up from 17 to 30 percent and from 19 to 28 percent in the Master’s program, as the strategic plan specifies. Within the scientific staff this percentage must also increase progressively. At present the percentage of women is at a meager four percent, whereas in 2020 one in five scientists must be female.

The number of foreign students in the Bachelor as well as the Master programs must go up substantially as well. The target for 2020 is 125 Bachelor and 350 Master students of foreign descent who will obtain their diplomas here. The proportion of foreigners within the scientific staff must be raised to 30 percent. (HK)/.