In November, the Council for Physics and Chemistry dissolves itself. At the same time, two new councils are being established: the Physics Council and the Chemistry Council. The Councils agree to cooperate where necessary.
In January, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven, decides on the next steps: the science and technology deans of the universities must translate the Sector Images into individual profile plans. They identify faculty focal points within the focus areas and describe the resources required. This results in an additional annual grant of 10 million euros for chemistry.
There is a lot of confidence in the ‘sector plans’ instrument, which builds on the success of the earlier Sector Plan Physics and Chemistry. The Physics and Chemistry research field appoints Bert Meijer to prepare the Sector Plans for Science and Technology. The intended strengthening of the knowledge infrastructure of Dutch universities must take place on this basis. The two Sector Images of Science and Technology will be published at the end of 2018.
https://www.nwo.nl/en/news/research-priorities-established-sector-outlooks
The 2017 Coalition Agreement announces significant investments in science and research. The elaboration of this by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, with an important boost of 60 million euros in the basis of the beta and technical sciences, has received much support from the beta and technology sectors.
https://www.scienceguide.nl/2017/12/ocw-zet-piketpalen-wetenschapsinvesteringen/
Jasper Knoester, Ben Feringa and Niek Lopes Cardozo, respectively chairmen of the Science Deans Consultation, the Chemical Sciences division of NWO and the FOM Foundation, set up the Council for Physics and Chemistry in June. The Council strives for an integrated national plan to strengthen both disciplines. Robbert Dijkgraaf becomes chairman.
The Breimer Committee publishes its final report ‘Een succesvolle stap’ (A successful step) and hands it in January to Jet Bussemaker, Minister of Education, Culture and Science. Separately, the Rutte-2 Cabinet asks the committee (in the Science Vision 2025) for recommendations for strengthening the science disciplines. These are recorded in ‘Koersvast’.
Douwe Breimer hands over “A successful step” to Jet Bussemaker
(photo: Mark Boneschanscher).
http://www.raadns.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Een-succesvolle-stap.pdf
When the Second Interim Report was published in 2014, a number of objectives from the Sector Plan have already been achieved: in addition to the strong growth in student numbers and the improved study success of the bachelor’s programs, the master’s education has been linked to research priority areas.
See also the following news items:
https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/aantal-studenten-natuurkunde-en-scheikunde-neemt-toe
https://www.scienceguide.nl/2014/09/verrijking-van-de-gereedschapskist/
At the request of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, the physics and chemistry community describes its ambitions for physics and chemistry for the next ten years.
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science makes 20 million euros available annually for the implementation of the Sector Plan, of which 10 million euros for chemistry. The Breimer Committee advises on the distribution of these funds, in consultation with the beta deans and NWO.
Minister Ronald Plasterk of OCW installs the Breimer Committee. The committee supervises the distribution of resources that the Cabinet has made available on the basis of the Sector Plan.
Representatives from physics and chemistry publish the Sector Plan Physics and Chemistry. This focuses on modernising the research landscape, strengthening research in focus areas and creating ‘focus and mass’ within scientific education. This plan was based on the Chemistry Sector Plan Physics and Chemistry:
https://www.nwo-i.nl/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/08-1646-sns-perfecte-chemie-87033.pdf