With the appointment of in total 62 Fellows, the NAE is ready to start fulfilling its mission of stimulating innovation in the Netherlands by offering engineering based solutions for major societal challenges. Innovation is thus used to create societal and economic value.

Polman feels very honored to be appointed in the new Netherlands Academy of Engineering. He says: “The foundation of the new academy reflects the value we give to engineering, complementary to scientific research, in order to make impact in the world.”

Many of the NAE Fellows are experts from knowledge organizations, companies and start-ups. They work in different fields, amongst which High Tech Systems and Materials, ICT, Healthcare, Energy, Water Management and Food. Starting next year, NAE will choose 10 new Fellows each year.

Polman and the other Fellows will be inaugurated on Monday, November 13 in the Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague.