A successful community event for MasterPlus Optics & Photonics Programme students

An energising kick-off event on 9 November 2024 marked the start of a special Master’s programme, jointly offered by the universities of Delft, Eindhoven and Twente. Hosted in Eindhoven, the event brought together a diverse group of students, professors, and industry partners of the MPOP-programme, all eager to explore the intersection of technology, innovation, and light.

The day began at the Philips Museum, where students were immersed in the rich history of light and lighting devices, a journey that showcased the pioneering contributions of Philips to the lighting industry. The museum’s exhibits provided a fascinating look into the evolution of light sources, from the early designs to today’s cutting-edge solutions. 

Following the museum tour, guest speaker Jean Schleipen, Principal Scientist and Team Lead at Philips Research, captivated the audience with an insightful presentation on the latest photonics applications, including advancements in medical imaging. This forward-looking session emphasised the programme’s multidisciplinary approach, connecting theoretical learning with real-world innovations.

The day concluded with dinner and a visit to the famous Glow Light Festival, where students experienced spectacular light art installations across the city. This celebration of creativity and technology perfectly capped off a day dedicated to the power of light and networking.

The kick-off event successfully combined history, innovation, and creativity, setting the tone for academic and professional growth. The MPOP-programme not only fosters connections between students, researchers, and industry partners but also represents a vital step for companies and research organisations to build the future with new talent.

Empower the students of today to build the workforce of tomorrow! 

The optics and photonics ecosystem thrives on connections between students, researchers, creators and industry partners. For companies and research organisations, the MPOP-programme can be an accessible step to start building the future with new talent. 

Ruud Vullers, Director R&D of SMART Photonics, shared: “Photonics is a relatively new field and is growing tremendously and with it the need for qualified people. This demanding growth can only be sustained if there are enough new people being educated. The MPOP program is an essential element to be able to attract and educate new professionals.” 

He added that to attract students, their company provides lectures at the universities and is present at selected conferences and events. They focus on strengthening the ties between SMART Photonics and the involved academic groups. This has led to increased cooperation in the form of joint national and EU-funded projects and papers.

MPOP-partners are PhotonDelta, Optics Netherlands, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente.

For more information, please visit: www.MPOP-programme.com  

Are you interested in offering an internship or job opportunity to the MasterPlus students? Share it with us via humancapital@photondelta.com and we will connect the right, top talent within this programme to your opportunities in the Photonic Chip industry.