The fourth edition of the series brings me to Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch government agency responsible for the main connecting infrastructure in the Netherlands (roads, bridges, waterways and water systems). I talked with Bas van Essen who’s responsible for RWS Datalab, the big data lab within Rijkswaterstaat (RWS). Company Overview RWS
Stress testing is one of the hot topics of the moment for risk management in banking. A ‘stress test’ is an analysis designed to check whether the bank is holding enough capital to be able to manage a rapid downturn. It is, basically, a way to test the resilience of
In the media, we read about “big data” and how it will affect us for better or for worse. On an international scale, Norway has come a fairly long way when it comes to digitalization, and the healthcare sector has been moving full speed ahead with this initiative via its
Using data driven management as a method is one way to renew the health-care sector and ensure greater efficiency without loss of quality and good care. Advanced data analyses enable new, well documented decisions that result in better efficiency, higher quality, visible results and lower costs. That is why it is
There is a quote that is often attributed to one of the founding fathers of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits: Give me the child for the first seven years, and I will give you the man. The idea is that what a child learns in their early years will
In 1963, the British comedian Freddie Frinton performed “Dinner for one” on German TV. It has become a tradition in Germany to watch that short piece of comedy on New Year’s Eve, and the question we always ask beforehand is: “Same as last year?” And that’s my point: Christmas is
There is general agreement that artificial intelligence (AI), data science and analytics have potential to change the world. AI is transforming our society already, and although I see tremendous potential in AI there are pitfalls and important ethical implications that needs to be considered. Science and ethics: Shades of grey
It has been a couple of years now since Bruno Van Pottelsberghe, Dean of Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management first talked to me about QTEM, or Quantitative Techniques for Economics & Management Masters Network. The discussion really struck a chord with me, because my experience until then had
Employers sometimes complain that new graduates are not ‘job ready’. Often this complaint is about soft skills, such as the ability to work in a team. Sometimes, however, it is about specific technical skills or knowledge required in the role. An example might be particular data science techniques, or perhaps
I have to confess: when it comes to Christmas, I'm a "real man". I do everything at the last minute, and certainly do not risk starting too soon… And that's exactly how it was last year, when I realized that it was Christmas Eve, and I still had no gifts
