Engineering Continuous Transition

On 31 August 2022, KIVI celebrated its 175th anniversary: the association’s 35th lustrum. Since its foundation in 1847, KIVI has been bringing engineers together to share knowledge, inspire one another and contribute to addressing societal challenges.

For the anniversary, KIVI chose the theme ‘Engineering Continuous Transition’. This centred on a single message: the world is constantly changing, and engineers play a key role in bringing about those changes. Technological innovation helps tackle major societal challenges, from the energy transition to digitalisation and sustainable infrastructure.

An anniversary for and by engineers

Right from the start of the preparations, KIVI members were called upon to contribute their ideas and help shape the anniversary celebrations. Ideas ranged from hackathons and challenges to a simulation game, public activities and a grand closing event. The aim was not only to look back on 175 years of engineering, but above all to look ahead to the future of the engineering profession.

Engineering Festival

The highlight of the anniversary year was the Engineering Festival in the Aula at TU Delft. During the day, engineers, students, school pupils, companies and other interested parties came together for lectures, demonstrations, interactive displays and networking opportunities. In addition, the KIVI Annual Conference took place and there was a festive evening programme for members.

Focus on societal transitions

Throughout the festival, the focus was on various technological transitions, including:

• Energy transition
• Digitalisation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Civil engineering
• Robotisation
• Industrial transition
• Transport
• Residential and non-residential construction
• Offshore

Through this, KIVI demonstrated how engineers contribute to solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

175 years of KIVI captured in a book

This book has been published by the Department of the History of Technology at the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers to mark the Institute’s 175th anniversary in 2022.

It describes the origins of the KIVI in 1847 and the lives of the three prominent engineers and scientists who founded it: Frederik W. Conrad, Leopold J. A. van der Kun and Gerrit Simons. It also sheds light on the political and social circumstances during the mid- to late 19th century, a period in which the modern Netherlands took shape. Engineers played a pioneering role in this process then (and now), as technical specialists, scientists, managers, administrators, politicians and entrepreneurs.