Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation (AcTI)

Mission

– The Academy wants to give insight into the interaction between science, technology and the community. Based on a long-term vision, the Academy’s mission is to influence the way society thinks and acts with regard to science and technology as important components in the community; with a special focus on the issues society is facing today such as population growth, energy, climate change, health and natural resources.
– Meeting place and network for high level decision makers and experts in technology development, research, higher education and innovation in The Netherlands.
– Furthering contacts between members and representatives of government institutions, NGO’s, political bodies, etc on nationally and internationally.
– Advancing a favourable climate for innovation in the Netherlands as part of Europe and promoting innovative entrepreneurship by means of the innovation conferences.

Committees / Main working groups

– Conference Committee
– China Working Group

Highlights 2019

AcTI Member Meetings
In 2019, five member meetings were organized around five themes:

Theme: “Biobased industry” at Avantium, February 12, 2019, with the following speakers:
• Heather Leslie, researcher microplastics, Institute for Environmental Affairs,
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• Nelleke van der Puil, Vice President Materials at LEGO
• David Strik, assistant professor of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University

Theme: “Sustainable Packaging” at Besi in Duiven, April 10, 2019, with the following speakers:
• Richard Blickman, CEO of Besi, guided tour of Besi, together with colleague Ruud Boomsma, presentation on semiconductor industry
• Kouchi Zhang, Professor of Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM) at Technische Universiteit Delft
• Arco Berkenbosch, VP Innovation & Development at Smurfit Kappa
• Eline van Beest, Young innovator and founder NightBalance on sleep apnea

Theme: “Mutual reinforcement”, House of Representatives in The Hague, 20 June 2019, with the following speakers:
• Eppo Bruins, member of parliament ChristenUnie and also AcTI member and host
• Thom Palstra, Principal University Twente presents KNAW advice “Mutual reinforcement”, committee with, among others, AcTI chairman Margrethe Jonkman and board member Cees Buisman has investigated whether government investments in the field of R&D may slow down private investment in this area.
• Jorrit Kuipers (Director Green Dino and Treasurer AcTI) and Robert Thijssen (Economic Affairs) present the draft advice in which AcTI makes recommendations for increasing the potential of startups and scale ups.
• Presentation Young Innovators Paul Vulto and Marjolein Helder about experiences within SMEs