The Netherlands is starting from a unique position of strength in the digital revolution – for now. “We need to hurry up and expand our head start; other countries are not sitting still,” says Ineke Dezentjé, chair of FME since 2011. What needs to be done?
We are the European leader in terms of internet infrastructure, our ICT research is among the best in the world, we have a highly skilled workforce and a strong technology industry. It’s no coincidence that Dutch companies are desperate for skilled staff. And yet there is a severe shortage of technical specialists. The Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad recently carried an alarming article stating that the country’s four technical universities are at breaking point. In recent years, TU Delft, Twente University, TU Eindhoven and Wageningen University have taken on so many new students that lecture theatres and laboratories are bursting at the seams and there is a shortage of lecturers.
“It is completely unacceptable for the technical universities to impose a numerus fixus. Two out of ten students are currently opting for a technical degree, and that number needs to rise to four out of ten. Now that young people are finally choosing to study science and technology, it’s unfathomable that universities are saying that they can’t cope with demand. Universities have known for years that they must anticipate the private sector’s growing need for highly skilled technologists.”
‘It’s completely unacceptable for the technical universities to impose a numerus fixus’
“A numerus fixus will have major consequences for the technology sector. Think of R&D departments that will relocate abroad, where there is a supply of engineers. That will undermine our knowledge base, just as it has become an export product. We’re currently one of the top-level players, but in order to stay at the top we need to continue investing in education and research. At FME, we’ve extended a helping hand to the universities; we’ve offered them staff and also facilities, but they haven’t taken us up on our offer. We’re well aware that a technical degree is costly. That’s why the government should also look at ways of funding the growth in science and technology education. One thing is clear: doing nothing will be disastrous for our competitive position.”
“First of all, all kinds of legislation must be fast-tracked for amendment. One key obstacle for companies at the moment is the lack of a legal framework relating to digitalisation and robotisation. The advancements and opportunities are so new that the legislation lags behind. For example, the current law for an agricultural drone with a 6-metre diameter says: ‘that is an aeroplane’. So by law it has to be manned by three people. That’s not feasible; it hampers innovation, so we need to do something about it and quickly. New rules and regulations are desperately needed, including in the area of cybersecurity. Besides that, the team should focus on the other skills that are needed, on e-learning and lifelong learning. And all government policy should be aimed at facilitating the demand for technical employees. There is so much to do.”
Ineke Dezentjé Hamming (1954) is chair of FME, a Dutch association for employers in the technology industry. FME represents its members’ interests in The Hague, in Brussels and worldwide. Ineke was a Dutch MP for the VVD party from 2003 until 2011, during which time she was involved in policy relating to retirement and pensions, and in education and youth policy, among other things. From 2010-2011 she was chair of the Standing Committee on Finance.
The political parties are currently putting together their election campaigns. Have they already picked up on your points?
“Some parties have: D66 very explicitly, and some other parties call it by a different name but I don’t mind that – all that matters is that the people in The Hague understand the urgency of the situation.”
High-tech and ICT advancements related to sensors, big data, robotisation, intelligent materials and suchlike are moving tremendously fast and offer interesting opportunities for the agrifood sector. To help companies take advantage of these opportunities, the Dutch Top Sectors of Agri & Food, Horticulture & Plant Material and HighTech Systems & Materials have agreed to collaborate within the crossover programme called ‘HighTech to Feed the World’. The HT2FtW objective is: ‘To initiate innovation by encouraging intensive collaboration between companies in the high-tech and agri-food sectors, also together with knowledge institutes where necessary or beneficial’.
“One good example is the optimisation of the broiler/poultry chain thanks to big data and smart sensors. We expect this to deliver new insights and hence new working methods with respect to value creation and to improved animal welfare. The separation and chemical/physical processing of waste flows can enable the reclamation of various high-value raw materials that can be used in the chemicals or materials industry, for example, or possibly as fertilisers.
Another good example is the Fruit 4.0 project in which fruit growers, dealers and technology companies are collaborating on the orchard of the future. This includes technologies such as autonomous robots that tend the fruit trees and ultimately harvest the fruits, for instance, as well as sensors that measure the optimum level of nutrients for the trees. Meanwhile the technology ensures that the orchards are treated to prevent diseases and pests early on and only where necessary.”
In its report, FME states that ‘targeted management by the top sectors and the government will speed up the innovation process’. How can the private sector – the food industry – contribute to this?
“Companies in the food industry have got lots of good ideas in mind, but actually putting them into practice takes guts. It would help if everyone could realise that you can’t do it alone. The technology offers solutions for problems that the agri-food sector and industry currently face – such as issues relating to sustainability, energy consumption, efficiency, quality and the global food challenge. WRR’s report called ‘Mastering the Robot’ states that explicit focus should be paid to fostering co-creation, and with good reason. The development process should involve not only developers, manufacturers and users, but also the people who will have to work with the applications. So it all starts with looking for partnership opportunities and joining forces. Another point is that the private sector usually has a short-term focus of just one to three years. That’s not going to be enough. We need a long-term vision and long-term financing – and by that I mean thinking at least ten years ahead.”
What do you regard as the biggest challenges for the sector right now, and where do the opportunities lie?
The biggest challenge lies in looking for chances to collaborate; that’s the basis for taking things to the next level. But it’s not easy, it seems. People need to think outside of the box. The Netherlands is still one of the world’s top players, but that’s not a given; the countries around us aren’t sitting still. If we’re to maintain our position, especially being such a small country, and speed up our innovation process, ‘business as usual’ won’t be enough. We need to step out of our comfort zone! Managers must be much more focused on learning by doing, on daring to make and accepting mistakes. So the digital revolution is also a management revolution. ‘Smart industry’ requires CEOs with a different type of DNA, people who can cooperate and form new coalitions. They need to be able to – and be bold enough to – look beyond borders, both literally and figuratively speaking.”
“Haha, occasionally I do; I get a little impatient sometimes. But thankfully I’m still in a position to exert an influence on shaping the future of technology. There are major changes afoot and we’re on the brink of a new era. I find it tremendously inspiring to be part of that!”
‘The biggest challenge lies in looking for chances to collaborate’
Source: © FME
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