Apollo Vredestein invests in collaboration with PDEng programmes Twente

In the coming 5 years, Apollo Vredestein will invest in having PDEng programmes the University of Twente train its technical personnel. The tyre manufacturer from Twente is expanding its R&D activities and is therefore appealing to the specific knowledge available at UT. The collaborative agreement was signed on 18 June by UT educational board chairman Victor van der Chijs and Peter Snel, Chief R&D PV of Apollo Tyres Ltd.

The collaboration is a direct result of a visit that Victor van der Chijs, Peter Snel, Seshu Bhagavuthula and Geert Dewulf (Dean of the CTW faculty at UT) paid in January to Apollo Tyres Ltd., Apollo Vredestein's parent company in India.

27 jobs

The collaboration involves a total of 27 jobs. These concern PDEng (Professional Doctorate in Engineering) tracks, the two-year post-master's design education that consists of a combined education and design track in which there is close collaboration with the business community.

Collaborative milestone

Peter Snel (Chief R&D PV at Apollo Tyres Ltd.): “This is a milestone in the long collaboration between Apollo Tyres Global R&D and the University of Twente, which once again confirms the importance of the University for Apollo R&D and for Apollo Vredestein.  The collaboration covers various technological areas including material sciences, product development and product technology." 

Complex design issues

The PDEng majors at the University of Twente, in consultation with businesses, train people to make high-value, creative and innovative designs for complex design issues. Five areas of specialism are distinguished here: Civil Engineering, Energy & Process Technology, Healthcare Logistics, Maintenance and Robotics.

PDEng coordinator Timo Meinders: “The PDEng tracks have considerable added value for industry; this is now also in evidence from the collaboration with Apollo Vredestein. There is a huge demand for professionals who can create designs independently for multidisciplinary issues and who chalk up concrete results in innovation. The PDEng track is a good example of the fruitful cooperation between organisations and universities. We note that the design education is popular and are extremely pleased about the agreement with Apollo Vredestein.”