Stay curious, learn from your mistakes and set your sights on the future.

On Wednesday 12 June, the Netherlands Academy of Engineering awarded the first-ever honorary membership to former President and Chief Technology Officer of ASML, Martin van den Brink, for his exceptional contributions to the design and realisation of advanced lithographic instruments with major impact on the semiconductor industry and the digital revolution made possible by them that is of great significance to society, his leadership role in creating a unique multinational company that is of obvious importance to the Netherlands’ ability to innovate, and his role as a role model for young engineering talent. During a meeting of NAE on the TU Eindhoven campus, he received a specially designed token from the hands of Henk van Houten, chairman of NAE. This makes Van den Brink the first NAE Honorary Fellow.

 

Stevin, Leeghwater, Lely, Van den Brink

Henk van Houten: “Van den Brink ranks among the absolute top of influential Dutch inventors and engineers, such as Simon Stevin, Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater and Cornelis Lely. These enterprising visionaries tackled major societal challenges through engineering-based innovation and made a huge contribution to the earning capacity and quality of life of the Netherlands.

If only you are curious

Martin van den Brink on the honorary membership: “I am very honoured with this special honorary membership of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering. This appreciation from peers who share my passion for innovation is worth a lot to me. Above all, I hope to show the NAE’s Young Engineers that a lot is possible. As long as you are curious, collaborate, never give up, learn from the mistakes you are bound to make and keep your eye on the future. Technology is everywhere and innovation never stops. It is an open invitation to everyone to be part of this beautiful field.”

 

Photo by Erik de Witte: From left to right, Henk van Houten and Martin van den Brink