Testimonials
Frank Pijnenborg
In the SEPAM Master’s I had the chance to study abroad for one semester and I chose Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. An unforgettable experience since the Asian culture gave me an amazing culture shock. But I could use the Systems Engineering approach in an international team. Although communication was quite hard, the analytical methods acquired are very helpful since the application is widespread through the whole world. And as a result, our team was able to successfully accomplish the design project. All students have the chance to sit on committees – together with 5 other students I was a board member for a student society called Curius. This association facilitates all students within the faculty in study-related stuff, like study trips and business courses. They also run the book shop and coffee shop on a daily basis. I had an amazing year and learned lots of managerial/organisational skills there. Everywhere around me I see that our society is full of situations packed with technological, organisational and social challenges. Obvious cases are the extension of the Port of Rotterdam, the installation of heating networks throughout urban areas and the introduction of the public transport chip card – complex, but also very challenging in terms of coming up with design solutions that may lead to successful implementation. These are situations on the interface between the public and the private sector which you could say have a high Systems Engineering, Policy and Management (SEPAM) relevance.
Systematic and analytical problem solving
Annelies Dijkzeul,
graduated 2005
Annelies wanted her studies to teach her on the one hand enough engineering knowledge to understand how a road, railway or tunnel is constructed, and on the other to understand the political aspects of large-scale engineering projects. "I have always been really interested in the question of why the Betuwe rail line, which appeared to be simply a question of building a railway, proved so difficult to get off the ground. SEPAM seemed to provide an answer to that kind of question. Together with two colleagues (also SEPAM alumni), I started up an advisory bureau after completing my degree: Kwink Groep. We advise the public sector and work on diverse assignments for ministries and other government organisations. Topics vary from healthcare and education to telecom and energy. We provide advice at a distance, but also contribute actively to projects; for instance, increasing the kilometers travelled by rail. SEPAM matches my work perfectly. The topics we learned about during the degree programme are the same as those presented to us by clients. The methods we learned for systematic and analytical problem solving help me in my everyday work. Especially in an environment in which interests and emotions often seem to have the upper hand."
Sense and Simplicity
Hidde Schipper, graduated 2007
Hidde made full use of the international opportunities presented by SEPAM. "I spent one semester at the Universidad Politécnica in Madrid and did my Bachelor's degree internship there. Before graduating, I worked for Philips on a project in Bangalore, India for six months. There I was given the opportunity to evolve in other ways that you cannot learn while sitting in a lecture theatre. The faculty supports such international initiatives and has a separate department which provides advice and helps you to apply for subsidies and grants. As a Consumer Marketing Manager, I am responsible for worldwide strategy and management of the hand blender portfolio within Philips. As SEPAM focuses on the organisation and management of engineering problems, the degree programme was the ideal combination for me. During my studies, I learned to think analytically by breaking complex problems down into small pieces and solving them while retaining a view of the situation as a whole. This method is useful when analysing organisations, processes, systems and technical products. All these aspects need to be dealt with in a large, complex organisation such as Philips, which sells thousands of products worldwide. My SEPAM background means that I can contribute usefully to the 'Sense and Simplicity' which Philips promises consumers."
From engineeringto organisation andmanagement
Charlotte Woltman Elpers, graduated 2005
"I now work as Decision Support Consultant with airline KLM, working on projects for all of KLM's business units. In general, the aim is to research and provide insight into complex, primarily business processes. Mathematical models are developed with a view to solving any problems or to ensure that processes run more efficiently. For example a tool to provide visual insight into activity levels in each baggagesorting area at Schiphol Airport. This tool enables KLM to take a simple decision on which area the luggage from incoming transfer flights should be sent so that the baggagesorting capactiy can be utilised as efficiently as possible. The techniques I learned in my SEPAM studies, to analyse processes and draw up an effective step-by-step action plan, are proving very useful in my work. During the final phase of my studies, I specialised in simulation techniques and this gives me a clear advantage now. The SEPAM degree course also devotes a great deal of attention to presentation techniques. Now I notice that I no longer have any problem giving a presentation to a large group of people. I even won the award for 'Best Presentation' at a recent conference in Dubai."
Social and commercial issues
Frank Bianchi, graduated 2005
Frank wanted to work constructively and contribute to development - that's why he chose Delft University of Technology. The Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis and Management programme matched his interests because it focuses on technology, applied to social and commercial issues.
Today, Frank works as a Capgemini consultant, in a team which mainly provides advice about the rail world. This advice varies from logistics to project management.
"We supported the NS (Dutch railways) in their decision-making on the high-speed rail line and ways of providing travellers with optimum travel information (using SMS services, in-train displays, wireless Internet). This was pretty difficult because there were both many departments involved within the NS itself as well as externally. In our projects we don't just write great reports; we also often help with the implementation. My work mainly involves systematic thought from the client's perspective; so discussion and collaboration with the client is vital. But intense collaboration with colleagues, and independent work, are also part of my work - skills I learned during my SEPAM studies."
