Welcome
Nadja Yang, Speaker
Position: President of the European Young Engineers
Nadja Yang serves as president of the European Young Engineers, an international non-profit representing around 500,000 young engineers in more than 20 European nations.
She is a Rhodes scholar pursuing a PhD in systems engineering at Oxford, where she conducts research on the Urban Bioeconomy, a concept to help cities become more sustainable and productive in terms of their biological resources. Before, she studied chemical engineering at the Technical University of Munich and researched on Resource Efficiency Policies at Tsinghua University Beijing and on Change Management and Circular Economy at the University of São Paulo. Moreover, she worked in industry, policy and consulting at Siemens, Systemiq, BASF, Linde and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. She has received multiple awards for her work including Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe & DACH, UK’s Top 50 Women in Engineering and Germany’s Top 40 Under 40.
“EYE’s 50th conference will be a reflection of its unique legacy, history and impact. There will be a great diversity of generations, disciplines, cultural backgrounds and more; I cannot wait to celebrate this diversity in engineering and our achievements together! I look forward to thanking everyone in-person who has positively impacted my journey and EYE overall – it has been an exciting time full of growth and we can be proud that we leave legacy in the European engineering landscape.”– Nadja Yang
Celina van den Bank, Speaker
Position: Chair of Young KIVI Engineers
Celina van den Bank MSc. is an alumna of University of Technology Eindhoven and is specialised in digitalisation and innovation in the Built Environment. Currently she is working as a Process Manager at DigiBase, a VolkerWessels company, where she analyses and optimises data and information flows, creates IT-solutions for the building division and is responsible for the digital programme for quality assurance. In her free time she is connected to KIVI as chair of the Young KIVI Engineers department wherethrough she helps Young Professionals to advance in their career by connecting education, business and government.
“EYE conferences are a great way to extend your network and to gain new -over the border- insights in both culture and technology. Young KIVI Engineers is looking forward to sharing with you the newest developments in technology in The Netherlands and welcome you to our charming Headquarters in the centre of The Hague so we can create beautiful memories together.”– Celina van den Bank
Keynote
Siemens AG
Nienke Vergeer, Digital Innovation Manager @ Siemens Digital Industries
I am a strong believer in technologies such as AI, IoT, Digital twins, and Industrial Metaverse in the industry. Intrigued by how these technologies can be used to make a real impact on an organization. However, adoption is slow, difficult, and messy. That’s why over the past 1.5 years, I’ve been on a quest to discover the true value of digital transformation and what companies really need to do to be successful. Spoiler alert: It’s about people, not technology alone. Let’s also provide a job description: I’m a Digital Innovation Manager at Siemens Digital Industries.
Audi AG
Florian Meyer
Dr.-Ing. Florian Meyer was born in Zürich, Switzerland but grew up in Mainz, Germany. He holds a Diploma Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, which he obtained between 1999 and 2005. Between 2005 and 2010, Florian pursued his doctorate at the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen. During his time at the institute, he focused on research in the field of Polyurethanes and industrialization of Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP, CFRP).
Florian worked at FRIMO Lotte GmbH, Lotte as the Head of Development from 2010 to 2012. In 2012, he transitioned to the Lightweight and Design Center of Audi AG in Neckarsulm, where he took up the position of Head of Process Development Department for Fibre Reinforced Plastics. Florian would go on to be Head of Development of Interior Trim Parts for C- and D-Segment Cars at Audi AG in Neckarsulm in July 2017.
In his most recent appointment, which he took up on 1st April 2021, Dr.-Ing. Florian Meyer took over the Department for Methodology Development in CAE simulation for body in white and battery electric vehicle/battery module components. Florian is a Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, with a specialisation in plastics processing, especially in processing fibre reinforced plastics. He currently lives with his family, including three children, in Bad Rappenau near Heilbronn, Germany.
Christian Stark
Employer Branding at Audi AG
Business Administration graduation in 2008, then Sales at Lear Corporation for seating, 2011: Audi purchasing interior, then Audi Sport coordination of Audi Sport purchasing team, 2018 founding Audi Sport innovation team, since 1.1.2020 Audi Employer Branding and responsible for all sponsorings in terms of Formula Student, universities, networks like EYE. Head of Audi OYW delegation, etc.
“I am looking forward to the conference, because I love to meet motivated young engineers who have the will and the drive to change the world for the better. Therefore, we want to support the participants by hosting a workshop, in which they can learn about themselves to become even stronger.” – Christian Stark
Workshops
Maike Lenz
Engineering Education of European Young Engineers
Past positions at EYE: Engineering Education Working Group Member
Maike Lenz is a PhD researcher in the Engineering Science Department at the University of Oxford. Her research in the Dynamic Optics and Photonics Group focuses on using multimode fibres as minimally invasive endoscopic probes for neuro microscopy. She graduated from Imperial College London with an MSci in Physics after completing her Master’s project on the computational and experimental optimisation of ultrafast laser pulses.
“Engineering education has shaped every engineer’s experiences in the EYE network and beyond. I am looking forward to this hands-on session of interacting with the community to gather insights into their experiences as well as inspiring change in the engineering education landscape. As part of the EYE Engineering Education Working Group, I feel passionate to work towards our aims of shaping and inspiring engineering education from school all the way to lifelong learning.” – Maike Lenz
Cian Farrell
Engineering Education of European Young Engineers
Cian Farrell is a Lecturer in Structural Engineering and works as part of research groups that focus on Engineering Education, Structural Timber Engineering, Structural Steel Engineering, and Sustainability. He also works as a Structural Engineer where he has played a key role on multiple prestigious engineering projects throughout Ireland and the UK within the private and public sector. Cian holds a key interest in the Design & Analysis of complex structures, Engineering Education, Environmental Protection & Sustainability, Arbitrary Law and Entrepreneurship.
“I look forward to joining a cohort of enthusiastic and passionate young engineering peers at EYE 2023 as well as learning more about the misalignment of engineering education programmes across Europe through our interactive Engineering Education workshop.” –Cian Farrell
Jefferson K. Rajah
System Dynamics Society/University of Bergen; Research Fellow, University of Bergen
Jefferson is a Research Fellow at the System Dynamics Group, Department of Geography, University of Bergen. He is a system dynamics modeller by training and his research interests centre on human behaviour and social system dynamics within larger ecological, technological, and health systems. Jefferson holds a M.Phil in System Dynamics from the University of Bergen and a B.A.(Hons.) in Global Studies and Political Science from the National University of Singapore. Presently, he is working towards a PhD in System Dynamics within the EU Project, WorldTrans: Transparent Assessments for Real People. Jefferson is a member of the System Dynamics Society.
“Together with a team of facilitators, I am looking forward to taking you through this time-honoured system dynamics simulation game, Beer Game, as you attempt to master the art of supply chain management.” – Jefferson K. Rajah
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonrajah/ https://twitter.com/jeffersonrajah
Sebastian Peace
European Institute for Industrial Leadership
Sebastian Peace is a recent graduate from the University of Bath in the UK, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. In March of this year, he relocated to The Hague to take up the position of Associate Instrumentation and Control Engineer at McDermott. While awaiting a project assignment, Mr. Peace has been channelling his efforts towards the Artificial Intelligence department, where he has been developing in-house products designed to assist engineers in saving significant amounts of time. Making use of his knowledge and skills, Mr. Peace is keenly interested in the digitalization and sustainability initiatives that are driving change and growth in the engineering, construction and energy sectors. By contributing solutions towards addressing climate change, Mr. Peace is determined to make a meaningful difference in his pursuit of professional excellence.
Celine van den Bank
Position: Chair of Young KIVI Engineers
Celine van den Bank, MSc. is an alumna of University of Technology Eindhoven and is specialised in digitalisation and innovation in the Built Environment. Currently, she is working as a Process Manager at DigiBase, a VolkerWessels company, where she analyses and optimises data and information flows, creates IT-solutions for the building division and is responsible for the digital programme for quality assurance. In her free time, she is connected to KIVI as chair of the Young KIVI Engineers department wherethrough she helps Young Professionals to advance in their career by connecting education, business and government.
“EYE conferences are a great way to extend your network and to gain new -over the border- insights in both culture and technology. Young KIVI Engineers is looking forward to sharing with you the newest developments in technology in The Netherlands and welcome you to our charming Headquarters in the centre of The Hague so we can create beautiful memories together.”– Celine van den Bank
Christian Stark
Employer Branding at Audi AG
Business Administration graduation in 2008, then Sales at Lear Corporation for seating, 2011: Audi purchasing interior, then Audi Sport coordination of Audi Sport purchasing team, 2018 founding Audi Sport innovation team, since 1.1.2020 Audi Employer Branding and responsible for all sponsorings in terms of Formula Student, universities, networks like EYE. Head of Audi OYW delegation, etc.
“I am looking forward to the conference, because I love to meet motivated young engineers who have the will and the drive to change the world for the better. Therefore, we want to support the participants by hosting a workshop, in which they can learn about themselves to become even stronger.” – Christian Stark
Andreas Luxa
Employer Branding at Audi AG
Andreas is a business economist with many years of experience in very different areas. He started as a manager in retail (sales), then radically changed his job to purchasing/procurement in two different companies (14 years of experience in total) to innovation management in the field of “new drive technologies”.
Since this year, Andreas has been Event Manager Employer Branding and shapes his professional life according to the motto “Better to risk something than to regret forever not having dared.”
Panel
Chris Waters, Panelist
Past positions at EYE:
Council Member (YRP 2011-2014); Council Member (EYE-UK 2014-Present); Task Force Member (2013-2017); Deputy Secretary General (2015-2017); Organiser of the EYE@Bristol conference 2017; Secretary General (2017-2019)
Chris Waters has been a member of EYE since 2011, following his first conference in his hometown of Glasgow back in 2010. Since early in his EYE career he has been active in the organisation and furthering the EYE message. He has been a Council member since 2012 and served as the last Secretary General until 2019. Chris has also had the pleasure of hosting a conference himself, leading the organisation of EYE@Bristol on behalf of EYE-UK in 2017. A Communications Engineer by training, Chris is the Networks Technical Authority at Siemens Mobility in the UK. He holds a PhD from the University of Bristol where he studied methods for interference management in ad-hoc wireless networks. Chris is also a Chartered Engineer and EUR ING. Of EYE he says “EYE is unique in the opportunities it gives for engineers to get a glimpse into what it’s like to live and practice in another country; getting together with like-minded people from across Europe gives you a perspective you can gain nowhere else! If you have the inclination, volunteering with EYE will give you valuable experience working in a diverse team in an international setting, and you’ll interact with a range of people and institutions you couldn’t possibly imagine. If you’d asked me what I thought I was going to get out of attending that first conference on a Friday afternoon in May I would never have guessed it would change my life!”
“As EYE celebrates another milestone I’m thrilled to be able to give my perspective on what it’s like to be a volunteer. Even in my short tenure I’ve seen the organisation grow in significant and unexpected ways and I look forward to being able to share my experiences as part of this panel.” – Chris Waters
Wim Lahaye, Panelist
Past positions at EYE:
He was one of the EYE founding members in 1994-1995, involved in the very early beginning, when the principles still needed to be discussed. At that time he was president of the young K VIV (Royal Flemish Engineering Association, it is now part of IE-Net Belgium)
Wim Lahaye is MSc in electronics (1988) and industrial policy (1989). Since the start of his career in 1990, he has worked continuously in the space industry. He started his career as a development engineer at Antwerp Space (then Alcatel Bell Space), where he worked on modems for the reception of Earth observation data. He worked for 13 years at satellite operator SES in Luxembourg, first as a ground station engineer, then as a project manager for the development of new applications and services. Wim is currently project leader for the space cluster Flanders Space. Since 2005 he has been an active member of the aerospace society of the Flemish engineering association IE-net. (In 1994-1995 he was president of the young K VIV (Royal Flemish Engineering Association) and one of the founding members of EYE.)
“EYE is really a demonstration of positive forces in Europe. On the one hand, the engineering profession is perhaps the profession where international collaboration is most fertile, especially for young engineers. On the other hand, this collaboration is pleasant and it creates lasting relationships. Europe needs courageous vanguard movements like EYE. I’m so glad this initiative continues and flourishes. We had to do this because it was possible.”
– Wim Lahaye
Nico Deblauwe, Panelist
Past positions at EYE:
Main organiser EYE-Leuven in 2005;
Deputy-SG: 2006-2007;
SG: 2007-2008
Nico currently works as a civil servant for the Flemish Government, dealing with European Innovation policy and subsidies. Besides helping the Flemish entrepreneurs and researchers, he focuses on building (web) tools to leverage the massive amount of available data in order to increase the impact. Nico is also connected to Harbour. Space university as a visiting lecturer for two core courses on Modern Web Application, and occasionally accepts a freelance assignment in the field of web development. Nico is an Telecommunications Engineer with a PhD in Electrical Engineering. Nico has always been European-minded. During his early years at university he joined BEST, an engineering students organisation with a European footprint. An erasmus year in Aalborg (DK) intensified this international experience. And during his PhD research, Nico went to live in Munich (DE) for 9 months as a visiting researcher.
“I’m genuinely interested in finding out how the current generation of young engineers perceive the societal challenges ahead and even more in what their role towards a better future could be. And how my generation – that is especially, I myself – can be a flywheel or lever for these plans.” – Nico Deblauwe
Nadja Yang, Panelist
Position at EYE:
President of European Young Engineers
(former Vice President of Public Policy)
Nadja Yang serves as president of the European Young Engineers, an international non-profit representing around 500,000 young engineers in more than 20 European nations.
She is a Rhodes scholar pursuing a PhD in systems engineering at Oxford, where she conducts research on the Urban Bioeconomy, a concept to help cities become more sustainable and productive in terms of their biological resources. Before, she studied chemical engineering at the Technical University of Munich and researched on Resource Efficiency Policies at Tsinghua University Beijing and on Change Management and Circular Economy at the University of São Paulo. Moreover, she worked in industry, policy and consulting at Siemens, Systemiq, BASF, Linde and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. She has received multiple awards for her work including Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe & DACH, UK’s Top 50 Women in Engineering and Germany’s Top 40 Under 40.
Thaddeus Anim-Somuah, Moderator
Past positions at EYE:
Vice President (PR) EYE 2020-2021; Task Force Member (PR) EYE 2020-2022
Thaddeus Anim-Somuah is a business advisor and chartered chemical engineer who is passionate about sustainability. In 2020-2021, he was Vice President of European Young Engineers, leading its PR department. During his career he has given advice at world leading incubators such as WorldStartup and Newchip. He has also led the development of the global decarbonization roadmap to reduce Croda’s emissions by 50% from 2018 to 2030; led the Global Operations Digitalization E-cell and development of Western Europe Business Strategy within Croda. He has also worked in manufacturing at Cargill and P&G, two of the world’s largest companies. More recently he has joined Philips where he leads healthcare operations sites globally to reach their sustainability targets. He has held several board and advisory board positions including European Federation of Chemical Engineers, Nederlandse Procestechnologen, World Energy Council Future Energy Leaders, Brunel University and University of Southampton. He has been recognised multiple times, including for Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe and The Manufacturer Top 100 Young Pioneer, and is an ambassador of One Young World.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating EYE’s history and discussing its legacy. I’m especially excited to see how EYE has evolved over the years and how we see it evolving in future and the actions we should take to shape its impact.” –Thaddeus Anim-Somuah