They may only be tomatoes, but they have their own story. Van Schagen became interested in the economic sociology of food after reading the book Exploring the Tomato by Mark Harvey, Steve Quilley and Huw Beynon. Photo: Gijs van Ouwerkerk
Having spent time in Ghana, China, and Argentina, Van Schagen says that it felt like a ‘homecoming’ when he discovered the ITC and entered in September. ‘ITC is one of the few institutes that are problem-driven and application-orientated when exploring development issues,’ he explained in the ITC cafeteria during a lunch interview. ‘ITC is the perfect place for me.’
The 27-year-old hopes to turn his masters program into a PhD. ‘This year I will be defining my topic around food, which I see as a primary, social need. I hope to narrow my focus and find funding for a comprehensive subject that will include logistics, transportation, geo-information science, and social impact.’ Van Schagen has two Masters in Sciences both from the UT: one in Mechanical Engineering and another in Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society. ‘I now realize that I am not so interested in the production environment, but more comfortable looking at systemic and logical approaches to urban problems.’
As the new SAB President, Van Schagen admits there are numerous challenges he and his other nine board members face. ‘ITC is going through many transitions,’ he said. ‘Not only are we merging with the UT, we also are effected by the financial crisis. ITC students are particularly fragile as many students depend on scholarships and public funding. We have to help implement any cutbacks and higher costs as smoothly as possible and communicate them well to the ITC community.’
‘But I think we have a unique opportunity to learn from one another,’ he continued. ‘The ITC is not well-known at the UT. And ITC is something to be proud of, a pillar of academic excellence that can help shape the UT’s image in the world.’
Alongside the SAB, there is now a new ITC faculty counsel at the UT. The SAB facilitates the social life at ITC, offering information to students about associations for sports, recreation, and housing. ‘But we also want to pick up on trends,’ said Van Schagen, ‘by encouraging students to create start-up companies. I see this as a good role for the SAB.’
When asked about his own travels, Van Schagen reminisced. ‘I was 3-1/2 months in Ghana and it was my first time away from home. I was involved in a project that wanted non-academics with informal knowledge to participate in research projects in Ghana’s health care sector. I was definitely out of my comfort zone which was a positive experience for me.’
‘I traveled to China with 32 other students on a three-week investigative journey for the UT’s Student Association for Mechanical Engineering,’ he continued. ‘It was sheer excitement! There you see growth happening right before your eyes.’
‘Finally, I spent five months in Argentina working on the design and procurement of pumpkin processing machinery. That’s where my basketball skills helped as I immediately integrated into the local team. Argentina felt more comfortable to me because it’s an immigrant nation. That’s when I realized I could settle outside of Holland for a longer period of time and be pretty happy.’
Coaxing him back from his memories of foreign lands, I asked Van Schagen what his goal was as SAB President. ‘Most ITC students are here for 1-1/2 years and their work load is intense. I myself have a 48-hour study week. So we are all restrained by little spare time. But in the end, we want ITC graduates to leave as inspired and positive alumni.’
Catherine Ann Lombard
