Jan Mengelers isn’t new to the column business. When he was still an executive at TNO, newspaper Eindhovens Dagblad invited him to write a column for the monthly supplement ‘De Ondernemer’ (the entrepreneur), a task he fulfilled from 2010 through 2012. “I really enjoyed those days, although I sometimes had to keep my cards close to my chest considering my position at the time”, says Mengelers. “For example, you can’t very well say that as far as you’re concerned this or that minister is dead wrong about something.”

His monthly column on the Cursor site is a way for Mengelers to be more visible for TU/e students and staff. “Throughout the year there are only a few moments I’m in touch with the university community directly. Examples are the opening of the academic year, and the New Year’s reception. I do try to meet with as many people I can, but due to my schedule those opportunities are limited.”

Since Facebook or Twitter are not exactly Mengelers favorite means of communication, he decided on a column. “It’s a way for me to touch on matters that concern me, or that I find remarkable. These don’t have to be related to university per se, although they probably will be most of the time. Hopefully, I can show people another side of myself through my columns – after all, I’m not just the Executive Board Chairman.”

Mengelers duly realizes that his writing might lead to reactions. “But that’s what I find interesting about it all, because that way I can assess what’s going on within these university walls.”

Today sees the publication of Mengelers very first column. We intend to publish a new column at least once a month, but if current affairs call for it, he’ll write more often.