Friday, September 26, 2008

To the heart of the challenge


My new book (in English) has just appeared:

"To the heart of the challenge - PhD research at Delft: a century
of thinking and doing"


Published by: Delft University of Technology, ISBN 9789079347025
Some quotes from people that I have interviewed for the book:
“The most important thing I learnt as a PhD student was that even if something
fails ten times, it might just work on the eleventh try...The attitude is: ‘Got
another impossible challenge? Give it to me.’”
Dr. Pieter Winsemius, former Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment for the Dutch Liberal Party (VVD)
“Politics is often based upon knowledge from the day before yesterday. Not even
yesterday. That’s because new knowledge only diffuses slowly into the political
arena. As a PhD, you notice that you have easy access to the latest insights in
every academic discipline. And in politics, that’s invaluable...A PhD isn’t
decisive, but it certainly adds a lot of value.”
Dr. ir. Jo Ritzen, former Minister of Education for almost ten years for the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA)
You can view the book in PDF-form if you click on: