The Purdue Systems Collaboratory has formalized a partnership with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). AAE Professor William Crossley, member of the Purdue Systems Collaboratory leadership team, recently joined Professor Paulien Herder of TU Delft's Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) in a ceremonial signing of a letter of intent that will foster cooperation in systems education and research between Purdue and TU Delft.

“The faculty at TU Delft are exemplars in dealing with big system problems,” says Prof. Crossley. “We hope to learn from their best practices, as well as sharing our best practices with them.”

Prof. Crossley says initially the partnership will involve faculty and staff from both institutions traveling back and forth to share educational and research materials and to provide technical assistance for each other. Eventually it could lead to a more formalized exchange program, with students taking courses for credit and faculty teaching courses at the partner university.

As the respective points of contact for this letter of intent, Professors Crossley and Herder represented their colleagues, Prof. Abhijit Deshmukh, James Solberg Head of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University and Professor dr. M.J. (Jeroen) van den Hoven, Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management of TU Delft.

Professor Zofia Lukszo, who leads the TU Delft Systems Engineering program within TPM, also participated in the ceremonial signing, which took place during the "CESUN Europe Event," April 21-22 at TU Delft. Professor Crossley attended in his role as co-chair for the Council of Engineering Systems Universities (CESUN).  CESUN was established in 2004 to promote engineering systems as a new field of study to help solve the great challenges of the 21^st century. 

pictured (from l to r): TU Delft Professor Zofia Lukszo, Purdue Professor William Crossley and TU Delft Professor Paulien Herder at the ceremonial signing of the letter of intent