The plan is supposed to provide chemical engineers with some work experience with an opportunity to obtain more in-depth knowledge. Not only in chemistry but also in a number of other disciplines: the PhD-candidates will take courses in management, in public and business administration, and economy.
In addition to chemical engineers other science graduates are welcome at the PhD-programme: biologists, computer scientists and alumni of other science studies can become doctor in the chemistry. The candidates will continue working all through the course. They are supposed to conduct their applied research in the work place.
The first response from Twente to the Utrecht plans is simply damning. 'Completely on the wrong track', according to CT-directory of educational programmes professor J. Engbersen. 'It seems to me like a sneaky way for Utrecht to get PhD-bonuses from the government.' Engbersen feels that the construction is 'especially dangerous' to the level of scientific research. 'A company has, in general, other interests than helping science get ahead. They are not interested in research that goes further than a few years, never mind exploratory and risky research. Of course there is a need for applied research, but that is already being done - especially at the technical universities - and that is why we have the Technology Foundation STW, which pays close attention to both quality and usefulness.'
Engbersen does not at all trust the formula in which employees of a company also do a PhD-project. 'That almost looks like an honorary doctorate! Something like: do write down what it is you have done over the years. Of course I do know a few people in industry capable of conducting proper scientific research, but these are extremely rare.'
That the VNCI fully supports the Utrecht plans truly does not mean anything to Engbersen. 'My experience with the the VNCI - and now I am expressing myself cautiously - is that it is a somewhat opportunistic partner. I have often found that their vision of education is not attuned to the university world. I think that this plan mainly serves their own PR. I expect that this initiative will raise many negative responses from the field of research.'
