Harold Weffers

Harold Weffers is the External Collaboration Coordinator at Eindhoven University of Technology, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. In this job position, he is involved on a daily basis in setting up and overseeing public-private partnerships in the context of R&D and (technological) innovation in the fields of (applications of) mathematics, computer science and data science, aimed at realising forward-looking solutions to our societal challenges
(including energy, food, water, healthcare, security, mobility and digitalisation) and to strengthen the economic growth potential of the Netherlands in general and the Brainport region in particular. He is a strong advocate of strategic collaboration aimed at jointly investing in a shared vision, a shared mission, a shared strategy, clear responsibilities and clear (strategic) objectives with target values, whilst explicitly employing a portfolio management approach,
including risk management.

At Eindhoven University of Technology, he has been involved in various study programmes leading to the qualification of Technological Designer (Engineering Doctorate) for over 25 years and has previously served as Coordinator of the Stan Ackermans Institute and as Coordinator of Postgraduate Education. He was also previously a member of the KIVI Education Council and a member of the Certification Committee for Technological Designer study programmes.

He is also a member of the advisory board of UniPartners and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Fontys ICT, as well as being active within Digitaal Talent Nederland.

To ensure that solutions to our societal challenges can be implemented effectively and efficiently, and that these are also tackled and rolled out on a large scale, it is essential that universities (WO), universities of applied sciences (HBO) and vocational colleges (MBO) collaborate more effectively with one another and also work together more closely (at a regional level) with the government and the business community. Strengthening the collaboration between Fontys ICT, Eindhoven University of Technology, the (regional) government and the (regional) business community is one of the objectives of his membership of the Fontys ICT Strategic Advisory Board.