The PDEng programme 'Designer in Bioprocess Engineering', an important training programme for bioprocess designers, has existed for a quarter of a century. The programme celebrated this memorable anniversary with a festive day at the Science Centre Delft and the Botanical Garden on 16 March.

With an influx of about 10 trainees per year and against a background of thousands of students across the campus, the PDEng programme 'Designer in Bioprocess Engineering' may not particularly stand out. Nevertheless, the importance of the programme should not be underestimated: the industry is very happy with the graduate bioprocess designers it trains.

What makes the PDEng programme so special? Several things, says training coordinator Yvonne van Gameren. "Trainees learn to work in teams with people from different universities and nationalities. In addition, the programme pays a lot of attention to personal skills and self-reflection. Our alumni also learn to look broadly, which makes them popular for the industry.” Since the beginning of the training, in 1994, about 145 qualified bioprocess designers have started their careers in the industry.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the programme, the current PDEng trainees organised an event at the Science Centre Delft on 16 March. About 100 alumni, including someone from the first batch of graduates, first hour teachers (such as Prof. Kuenen, Prof. Grievink and Prof. Van 't Riet), the chairman of the examination committee, the programme director, current teachers and former coordinator Lies van der Meer, had taken the trouble to keep their Saturday afternoon and evening free for this event.

The programme consisted of a number of lectures, including by programme director Marcel Ottens, who talked about how the training has developed over the years. The current PDEng trainees had also organised a playful design challenge in which guests had to work together in teams to design a catapult. The day ended with a buffet and a party in the Botanical Garden, which borders the old Biotechnology Building, where the roots of the PDEng training lie and where many alumni have followed their PDEng training.