On Friday afternoon, December 12, at SKILL in Drachten, we welcomed a group of bachelor students in Industrial Product Development (IPO) from the Hanze University Groningen. For the fourth time in a row, the Innovatiecluster Drachten (ICD) organized this Safari for students. Once again with great enthusiasm and depth of content.
Practical experience at ICD company Philips
The students visited the IPO Valhalla of Philips, a regular and inspiring stop during the Safari. From this ICD company gave Rosalie Hielema an insight into her role within the product development of shaving and grooming products. Extra valuable was that she herself graduated from the Hanzehogeschool. This provided recognition and a strong connection with the students.
During her presentation, she dwelt on the entire development process. From first idea to final product. This gave the students a clear picture of what product development looks like in practice within an international high-tech organization.
Different perspective on product development at Demcon
After the factory tour at Philips, which by tradition was “way too short,” took Adriaan van der Goot by Demcon the baton. He highlighted product development from a very different perspective. Whereas Philips works on large-scale consumer products, Demcon often focuses on one-off and customer-specific systems.
Although both organizations operate according to the same V-model, the differences in choices, trade-offs and approaches became apparent. This contrast gave the students valuable insights into the versatility of the field.
Successful conclusion at SKILL
A joint group photo in front of the SKILL building in Drachten concluded this edition of the ICD Safari. We look back on an inspiring and instructive afternoon, in which education and high-tech practice once again came together.
The Innovatiecluster Drachten remains committed to introducing students to the power of the high-tech ecosystem in the Northern Netherlands.
On to the next edition!
