Marjolein van Wijngaarden Joins NWO AES Board, Enhancing Focus on Sustainability and Innovation

Marjolein van Wijngaarden Joins NWO AES Board, Enhancing Focus on Sustainability and Innovation

(IN BRIEF) Marjolein van Wijngaarden has been appointed to the board of NWO’s Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES) domain, effective September 1, 2024. She brings over 25 years of experience in sustainability, innovation, and strategic partnerships, currently serving as the director of the Strategic Tender Bureau at Boskalis Nederland. Van Wijngaarden’s role will focus on enhancing the strategic direction of AES, particularly in developing funding instruments and fostering collaboration between researchers, industry, and government. Her appointment is expected to strengthen AES’s impact on sustainability and innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 3-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Dutch Research Council’s (NWO) Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES) domain has announced the appointment of Marjolein van Wijngaarden to its board, effective September 1, 2024. Van Wijngaarden, who currently serves as the director of the Strategic Tender Bureau at Boskalis Nederland, is widely recognized for her leadership in sustainability, innovation, and strategic partnerships across both public and private sectors.

Van Wijngaarden’s appointment fills the vacancy left by Thom Palstra, who retired after three years of service on the AES board. With a career spanning over 25 years, Van Wijngaarden is known for her ability to bridge the gap between research, policy, and industry, particularly in areas related to water management, delta technology, and sustainable development.

Her extensive background includes roles at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Arcadis Netherlands, and Twynstra Gudde, where she has consistently driven initiatives that integrate economic and social value. As chairman of the Taskforce Delta Technology Foundation and the Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI), Van Wijngaarden has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between researchers, companies, and government bodies.

In her new role at AES, Van Wijngaarden will focus on enhancing the strategic direction of the domain, particularly in developing funding instruments that align with the broader goals of sustainability and innovation. Her appointment is expected to strengthen partnerships within the scientific community and industry, leveraging her vast network to drive impactful research and technological advancements.

Van Wijngaarden expressed her enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing the importance of trust and cooperation in tackling societal challenges. She views her work at NWO as a critical step in fostering innovation and addressing complex issues more effectively.

With Van Wijngaarden joining the board, the AES domain is poised to continue its leadership in engineering and applied sciences, underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and collaboration.

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Source: NWO