Eppo Bruins, a technologist in the House of Representatives, does that work?
Visiting Eppo Bruins in his Christian Union office in the beautiful old part of the House of Representatives building. The bond with FHI is close. We have known each other for years from the relationship between FHI and STW, where Eppo was director for seven years. This PhD physicist has been a member of parliament for more than a year now. A good moment to take stock, especially during election times. Have Bruins' expectations of the representative come true? “Learning the trade wasn't too bad for me. When I was called to take the seat that Arie Slob left behind when he left, I wondered 'oh, could I do it?'. But that's not too bad. Within the group I am also given the space to express what I think. What is disappointing is the bizarre amount of work, the enormous overload of topics and information.” Eppo grabs his head in a sort of desperate gesture. “You have to constantly choose, focus on a limited number of things. You would like to do so much more. People who come here as a career move leave very quickly. The perception among the general public is different. People wonder, 'what are those people actually doing there?' What is not seen is that the real work happens outside the cameras and the microphones.” When he says this, we have already experienced some sighs in the conversation. “Is what I'm doing here useful, I sometimes wonder. I grew up in my father's production company and I see technical craftsmanship, making something, as deeply a Christian concept. Meaning in practical action, where can you find that here in The Hague. Aren't we living in some kind of parallel reality here? My first parliamentary debate was about strengthening administrative power. I experience that as very meaningful. I need to experience that, because I sometimes think, I don't earn any money for this country. This profession is not easy for technicians, who also regularly drop out. I experience my joy during working visits, such as a few months ago with FHI in South-East Drenthe, at Proxcys and at Klay Instruments. Recently also in fishing. Then I can also encourage people by making it clear that there is indeed something to change.” What is it like to be part of a small faction? “Looking in the mirror at reality is easier in a small party. Of course I have a very broad portfolio, but in a small team it is easier to quickly short-circuit things. We have a great team, none of us go for our jobs. We see membership of Parliament as a personal sacrifice to a certain extent. It takes so much pressure on you that your personal life and your relationships suffer.” What successes has Bruins achieved in the field of technology policy? He mentions “the VSL file”, an important FHI issue, first. “This is a good example of working from the perspective of content rather than for political gain. I have been able to bring the importance of metrology to the attention of the House and the cabinet several times. The importance of metrology for Dutch society cannot be underestimated. I am happy that I was able to put things on the map together with FHI and other organizations, because virtually no one in politics in The Hague saw that initially. Now quite firm commitments have been made by the minister. The problem, of course, is that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has almost no budget left. Then you will notice appreciation from the Ministry if you are willing to think along. I also believe that VSL, as a standards lab, should be part of the public infrastructure for which the government is responsible.” As another achievement, Eppo mentions the 'Technical Craftsmanship Action Plan'. “I launched it, aimed at VMBO and MBO, because I think there is too much emphasis on highly educated people. It is not about low or high, but about the link between practical and theoretical. There must be a lifelong learning right that is fulfilled through further training. If someone is forced to leave the industry he or she works in, then the employer is of course not going to pay for retraining.” “That right to learn must therefore 'travel along'. This initiative now lies with VNO/MKB nl and can then be transferred to the SER, as lifelong development instead of lifelong learning. A system of certificates for competencies is part of this. You must constantly give people the opportunity to continue developing. This can very well be done through a master/journeyman approach.” Another initiative by Bruins: the parliamentary memorandum 'Guys for the Class'. “This is about teaching methods focused on practical skills. My motion on this was adopted by the House during a debate on Education2032. Teachers must come from practice much more, as lateral entrants to the class in a master/apprentice relationship.” What is the status of the modernization of learning tools, a spearhead of the FHI technology manifesto? “We are fighting to get the Slob motion implemented. This concerns connections for fast internet for schools. I also see great initiatives there from companies that collaborate with schools. The VMBO in Schoonhoven received a welding robot from a company.” And distance education? “I am especially committed to VMBO technology in Drenthe. This no longer exists in the whole of Drenthe. Together with State Secretary Sander Dekker, my goal is to be able to offer technical training everywhere in the Netherlands within a maximum of 20 minutes by bike. There needs to be more robust funding for technology education.” What about the future of scientific research? “We must maintain the good of the top sectors: the public/private partnership that has been set in motion. What will have a bad effect is if people start to see this line as a vehicle for the indulgence of ordinary austerity drives. The National Science Agenda process started as a kind of counter-movement. Fortunately, the one-sided emphasis has been somewhat changed. These are good social goals, but I am still concerned that the NWA will divert too much to healthcare and welfare. You have to dare to weigh the costs of living a little bit longer against other goals that serve society.” The Bruins/Duisenberg motion is discussed. It asked to monitor which domains the research money goes to. “The report from the Rathenau Institute shows that a relatively large amount of research money in the Netherlands goes to social sciences and healthcare. The government defended this by comparing it with the United Kingdom. But I prefer to compare us with Germany. It's very different there. The number of people working at public knowledge organizations is even greater. That really needs to change.” What message does Bruins have for FHI and for the government? “Pay close attention to the top sectors and do not let go of collaboration. Collaborate with the new club that emerged after the reorientation of NWO and STW, the new TTW. Continue to emphasize the importance of metrology. If the government and companies work together, you can invest more, but the government must then provide the research infrastructure, especially the basic infrastructure. Realize where we earn our money in the Netherlands, invest in science and technology! You can only be merciful if you know where you earn your money.”
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