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3TU.Datacentrum and DANS have already been collaborating for some time, including activities involved in organising the biennial Dutch Data Prize and the course entitled Data Intelligence 4 Librarians. The establishment of the coalition will strengthen this collaboration, according to DANS Director Peter Doorn. “Research Data Netherlands is bringing us a step closer towards our shared mission: promoting sustainable accessibility and the responsible reuse of scientific research. This will ultimately be of benefit to science as a whole.” Wilma van Wezenbeek, Director of TU Delft Library and spokesperson for 3TU.Datacentrum, is also pleased with the initiative. “It’s a logical step to collaborate, because it will allow us to approach all issues concerning research data across disciplines and institutions in a much more efficient and customer-friendly manner.”

Both 3TU and KTH are very active in the Knowledge Innovation Communities (KIC’s) and we discussed how we could simplify the organization of the KIC’s and the benefits they can bring to our professors. In the second wave expected for 2014 KTH en 3TU, through Medical Delta, are part of the same consortium. On strengthening the relation with industry and society KTH was inspired by the PDEng degree that 3TU offers through the Stan Ackermans Institute and is currently implementing a similar degree. Furthermore collaboration on engineering education was discussed.

The meeting was scheduled because of the technical universities’ concerns about the extent, quality and international position of fundamental technological research in the Netherlands. The universities indicated that funding for research is under pressure. According to the 3TU.Federation this is largely due to declining expenditure by companies and the loss of subsidies. Furthermore, preparatory activities for the transition to the top sector policy and, at European level, the run-up to the Horizon 2020 programme are taking up more time, as a result of which new resources only become available at a later stage. The 3TU.Federation believes it important that the related decline of young researchers will not degenerate into fewer incentives and less attraction for top scientific potentials. In view of its significance for future economic activity, the opportunities available for ensuring the continuing quality of this type of research were discussed with Minister Kamp.