IC & Panel

Identification Committee

Denie Augustijn – Programme Director CEdr.ir. D.C.M. Augustijn (Denie) | University of Twente Innovation is an essential component of great civil engineering projects. When it comes to engineering projects, there is no room for complacency. To make the most of any project, it is important to constantly adapt and innovate. This means learning from past mistakes, taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Innovative civil engineering projects have the potential to revolutionize entire industries. New and innovative infrastructure works and construction projects create new business opportunities and stimulate economic development. Innovative civil engineering projects also have the potential to create a more sustainable future. Modern day engineers are constantly looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and develop solutions that are more energy efficient. Innovation is essential for progress. It is only through innovation that civil engineers can continue to create great projects that have a positive impact on the world.  On this 30th ConcepT Symposium you will hear compelling examples of lessons learnt from great civil engineering projects and how they have led to new visionary plans. I wish everyone an inspiring symposium.  Stefan Kuks  Waterschap Vechtstromen works to ensure safe, sufficient and clean water for over 800,000 residents in the eastern Netherlands.  Some 70 million euros are invested annually in climate adaptation and water quality improvement projects. One such project is the Kristalbad, a 40-hectare water storage area between Enschede and Hengelo.  The Kristalbad can store 187,000 cubic metres of water and prevent flooding in Hengelo. As an ecological ‘water machine’ and connecting zone between Drienerlo and Twekkelo, it brings purified wastewater from Enschede back to life. Spatially, the area is laid out as a ‘barcode’. Eye-catching watchtowers offer wide views over the area. The Kristalbad has been declared a European icon project.  On the 7th of Febrary study association ConcepT organizes a civil engineering symposium where many interesting topics like that of the Kristalbad will be discussed in the midst of students, experts and professors. I wish all attendees an interesting, and even more an inspiring day on the 7th of February. Roelof Bleker
Mayor of Enschede Roelof Bleker is also a member of the Identification Committee of the Symposium 2023.

Expert Panel


Pieter Roos

As associate professor in marine morphodynamics, I study how the shape of the seabed and coastal areas change due to erosion and sedimentation. This includes the response to both climate change and engineering activities such as sand extraction, e.g. for large-scale projects such as Maasvlakte II. My research projects thus always deal with innovations and contribute to future proof engineering. I particularly appreciate the involvement of our students, as well as the collaboration with engineering consultants, governmental agencies and knowledge institutes from Netherlands and abroad. I look forward to a fruitful symposium with our students and professionals from practise!

Sergei Miller

Dr. ir. Seirgei Miller, a civil engineer, manages the Asphalt Paving Research and Innovation unit at the University of Twente. Established in 2007, ASPARi comprises 10 of the largest contractors in the Netherlands and Rijkswaterstaat. Its primary goal is to transform the road construction industry into a highly digitized, data-driven sector by integrating SMART technologies like Differential GPS, infrared thermography, next-gen sensors, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The focus is on minimizing variability in construction processes to enhance the quality and lifespan of asphalt layers. Collaborating with colleagues Farid Vahdatikhaki, Joao Oliveira dos Santos, Monik Pena Acosta, and Andre Doree, Seirgei addresses digitalization challenges in road construction, including automation, data-driven simulation and modelling, digital twin development, and predictive and degradation modelling using machine learning.

Hans Voordijk

Hans Voordijk is Associate Professor in Civil Engineering and Management and coordinator of the Twente University EngD programs. He is also Honorary Associate Professor at the School of Property, Construction & Project Management of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University Melbourne). Hans was project manager at the Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Assistant Professor at Tilburg University and lecturer at Asmara University, Eritrea. He was also member of the Board of Supervisory Directors of Ubbink B.V. He started his career as Research Assistant at the Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT) of Maastricht University. His research and lectures focus on the following fields: Construction Supply Chain Management and Digital Technologies and Philosophy of Technology and Civil Engineering.

For Identification Committee, see the top of this page.