Network wide event at University of Technology Eindhoven
From March 30st to April 2nd, 2026 , the iSENSE consortium gathered at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) for our first Network‑Wide Event. The NWE-I is part of Work Package (WP) 5 – Training, which consist, among others, of Network-Wide Training.
On Monday morning, project manager Stephane Stroobant and project coordinator Dr. Tim Claeys welcomed the entire group by elaborating on the motivation behind iSENSE and the importance of our work. Their introduction placed the research in context, technical, societal, and collaborative, and set the tone for the entire week.
After consortium updates and internal meetings, the REA Project Officer joined in the afternoon to guide the mid‑term review process. For many DCs, this was a first glimpse into the EU’s expectations and the broader journey of an MSCA project. Later, the doctoral candidates got the opportunity to present themselves, their research topic and the progress. The day ended with a project dinner at Stadsrestaurant Welp, where conversations shifted from technical details to personal stories and shared experiences.
Tuesday continued with the remaining DC presentations before moving into the restricted mid‑term review sessions. In the afternoon, a highlight awaited: an industrial lecture by Wim Ophelders (Canon) on EMC implications of large industrial printers. Hearing about EMC challenges in such a concrete, large‑scale application added depth to many of the research directions the DCs are exploring.
From there, the group visited the Philips Historical Products Museum, a short journey back through decades of innovation.
The day concluded with a social activity at Enversed, Eindhoven’s VR center. Laughter, competition, and teamwork carried the evening, a refreshing contrast to the more formal sessions earlier.
The Wednesday morning began with the True Colours training, helping DCs realise the value of teamwork and learning about each other’s personal goals. Overall, it helped to train skills concerning communication, expectations, and how we collaborate across cultures and disciplines.
In the afternoon, the group headed to the TU/e EMC Lab for a combined lecture and demonstration on EM noise in motor drives by dr. Anne Roc’h and Hassan Khanbabaei Gardeshi. Seeing theoretical concepts in action added a layer of practical insight that is not always possible in day‑to‑day PhD work. Furthermore various measurement devices where explained by various of dr. Anne Roc’h’s doctoral candidates.
The day wrapped up with drinks at Walhalla, giving everyone a moment to unwind and reflect together.
The final day brought the network to the Philips Campus, where a series of talks were given:
- Risk Management, presented by Jos van Vroonhoven
- EU regulations, presented by dr. Anne Roc’h
- Life after the PhD, shared by dr. Vikas Ghatge, a former doctoral candidate within the Eternity doctoral network
- Future EMC paradigm shifts, presented by associate partner Rob Kleihorst from Philips Healthcare,
These sessions offered a valuable mixture of Risk Management and EMC challenges within healthcare, and PhD tips.
The afternoon introduced a game with an educational twist: the EMC Monopoly board game, designed to turn EMC aspects into an interactive, collaborative challenge. Between the two game rounds and a shared dinner, the day transitioned toward a warm, informal closing.
NWE‑I was much more than a formal meeting. It was a moment to realign, reconnect, and discover the iSENSE network. Over four days, we exchanged knowledge, explored new perspectives, and built both scientific and personal connections.
As we look ahead to the next stages of the project, the energy and engagement seen in Eindhoven is very promising for the next years of this project.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to dr. Anne Roc’h and her team, and to Rob Kleihorst for the excellent organisation, and to all speakers for their contributions that helped make this Network‑Wide Event a memorable success.