DEAN OF THE FACULTY & PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMY

FACULTY NEWS

From August 2022, Professor Bert Lauwers, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology, is the new President of the prestigious and exclusive International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP). At the General Assembly in Bilbao (Spain) he has taken over the torch from Professor Hans Hansen, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark.

Prof. Bert Lauwers, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology and prof. Hans Nørgaard Hansen, Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark

CIRP is a world leading organization in production engineering research. It is in the forefront of design, optimization, control and management of processes, machines, and systems. CIRP aims to promote research and development related to manufactu ring processes, prod uction equipment and automation, manufacturing systems and product design. The Academy’s main publications are the CIRP Annals-Manufacturing Technology and the CIRP-Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology. Furthermore, CIRP owns a number of conferences with related proceedings that are available online.

“CIRP is committed to the digitization of industry and digital manufacturing and engineering,” explains Prof. Lauwers. “Therefore, key research areas, emerging topics and advanced techniques are addressed, such as modelling and simulation, artificial intelligence, big data analysis, machine learning, smart robots and sensors, cybersecurity, cybe rphysical systems, advanced manufacturi ng technologies, sma rt sustainable materials, nanotechnology, and biomaterials as well as biosensors and bio-actuator. As education plays a leading role in technological progress and economic growth, CIRP is committed to promoting quality education linked to digital manufacturing and engineering.”

Committees

Within CIRP, ten Scientific Technical Committees are active, including Life Cycle Engineering & Assembly, ElectroPhysical and Chemical Processes, Precise Engineering & Metrology and Design. The Academy has restricted membership based on demonstrated excellence in research. Currently, CIRP counts some six hundred worldwide academic and industrial members. “CIRP may be an academic organization in the first instance, but this does not prevent the Academy from fully encouraging cooperation with industry”, Pr of. Lauwers continues “Therefore, some 150 companies, called corporate members, follow the research work of the academic members and contribute to the information exchange by presenting their views on specific themes or needs”.

Policy

In his maiden speech as new president, Prof. Lauwers stressed the importance of continuity and the contributions of all members. “Let it be clear that the work done by small groups and even individual members as well is indispensable and should be highly appreciated.”

As president of CIRP, Prof. Lauwers strongly commits to sustainability. “The challenge of digital manufacturing -from the scientific and educational point of view- must reflect the core concern of achieving a better and more sustainable future as stated in the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. Moreover, CIRP’s vision of sustainability should also be translated into the daily practice of our education and research, but also the way we run the Academy.”

Reflection

Finally, the new president called the members to reflect on the future of the orga nization itself. “Are we properly prepared for the uncertain future and the rapidly changing world? Are we sufficiently in touch with the thinking and acting of the younger generations? Do we know the expectations of Gen Z in a society in w hich everybody and everything is connected but at the same time also deeply divided? Has the time not come to track down new talent: experts and researchers from countries and regions that are currently under-represented?”

Many questions, even more challenges. Prof. Lauwers’ presidency heralds a promising period in which action and reflection together will set the course for a new era.

Yves Persoons 

www.cirp.net