Gerrit Berkhoff
Encyclopedia
Gerrit Berkhoff (Wijhe
9 July 1901 - Oosterbeek
27 February 1996) was a Dutch
chemist
and the first Rector Magnificus of the University of Twente, The Netherlands.
in Deventer
, Berkhoff studied chemistry at Leiden University
. Here he obtained in 1929 the doctor's degree with his Ph-D dissertation Osmose van ternaire vloeistoffen (Osmosis of ternary fluids). As a student he worked for four years as a laboratory-assistant for inorganic chemistry.
(Dutch State Mines). During the nineteen thirties, he supervised the development of fertilizer
s for the Nitrogen Fixation Plant (Stikstofbindings Bedrijf (SBB)). His publications on the chrystallisation of ammonium nitrate date from this period. His visionary and social talents led to the changing from incremental research (responding to the competition) to innovative research (taking the initiative). This resulted in 1940 in the foundation of the Central Laboratory (Centraal Laboratorium (CL)), of which he became Director. His journeys to the USA, immediately after WW2, meant to look at diversification
-options, enabled DSM to start the production of caprolactam
, the raw material needed for the enkalon or nylon 6
textile fibre of the AKU, now part of AkzoNobel. Until his departure in 1961, he was CEO
of all DSM's Research and Development
Divisions, which under his supervision became highly successful.
in The Netherlands in Twente, now the University of Twente. Two years later he was appointed as the first Rector Magnificus. Under his supervision the University of Twente became innovative in various areas, such as: providing campus
-accommodation for students and the introduction of the Baccalaureate degree. The purpose of the Baccalaureate degree, was to shorten the period of study without causing loss of quality. Thus encouraging industry to employ young baccalaureate graduates. The concept turned out to be not viable. He ended his speech held on the occasion of the festive opening in 1964 by H.M. Queen Juliana
and H.R.H. Prince Bernard
by using the words William of Orange
spoke in 1574 on the occasion of the opening of the first Dutch University in Leiden: “That this University College may grow into a lasting fundament and support of freedom, is our sincerest wish”. In 1967 he left the University. In his honour the Berkhoff Chair was installed in 1999 and in 2010 the Berkhoff Hall was opened for academic ceremonies.
Wijhe
Wijhe is a village in the Dutch province of Overijssel. It is located in the municipality of Olst-Wijhe, about 12 km south of Zwolle on the banks of the river IJssel.Wijhe was a separate municipality until 2001, when it merged with Olst....
9 July 1901 - Oosterbeek
Oosterbeek
Oosterbeek is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located in the municipality of Renkum, about 5 km west of Arnhem.The oldest part of the village of Oosterbeek is the Benedendorp , on the northern bank of the river Rhine...
27 February 1996) was a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
and the first Rector Magnificus of the University of Twente, The Netherlands.
Education
After finishing the HBSHogere burgerschool
The Hogere burgerschool or HBS was a secondary school type in the Netherlands, existing between 1863 and 1974. The school, with a five or sometimes six year program, was continued in 1968 as havo and vwo. The last hbs diplomas were given out in 1974.-External links:*...
in Deventer
Deventer
Deventer is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen Deventer is a municipality and city in...
, Berkhoff studied chemistry at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
. Here he obtained in 1929 the doctor's degree with his Ph-D dissertation Osmose van ternaire vloeistoffen (Osmosis of ternary fluids). As a student he worked for four years as a laboratory-assistant for inorganic chemistry.
DSM
In 1929 Berkhoff started his career as a research chemist at DSMDSM (company)
DSM is a multinational life sciences and materials sciences-based company. DSM's global end markets include food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials...
(Dutch State Mines). During the nineteen thirties, he supervised the development of fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
s for the Nitrogen Fixation Plant (Stikstofbindings Bedrijf (SBB)). His publications on the chrystallisation of ammonium nitrate date from this period. His visionary and social talents led to the changing from incremental research (responding to the competition) to innovative research (taking the initiative). This resulted in 1940 in the foundation of the Central Laboratory (Centraal Laboratorium (CL)), of which he became Director. His journeys to the USA, immediately after WW2, meant to look at diversification
Diversification (marketing strategy)
Diversification is a form of corporate strategy for a company. It seeks to increase profitability through greater sales volume obtained from new products and new markets. Diversification can occur either at the business unit level or at the corporate level. At the business unit level, it is most...
-options, enabled DSM to start the production of caprolactam
Caprolactam
Caprolactam is an organic compound with the formula 5CNH. This colourless solid is a lactam or a cyclic amide of caproic acid. Approximately 2 billion kilograms are produced annually...
, the raw material needed for the enkalon or nylon 6
Nylon 6
Nylon 6 or polycaprolactam is a polymer developed by Paul Schlack at IG Farben to reproduce the properties of nylon 6,6 without violating the patent on its production. Unlike most other nylons, nylon 6 is not a condensation polymer, but instead is formed by ring-opening polymerization. This makes...
textile fibre of the AKU, now part of AkzoNobel. Until his departure in 1961, he was CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of all DSM's Research and Development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
Divisions, which under his supervision became highly successful.
University of Twente
In 1961 Berkhoff was entrusted by the Minister for Education to start preparations for the third Technological University CollegeUniversity college
The term "university college" is used in a number of countries to denote college institutions that provide tertiary education but do not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university...
in The Netherlands in Twente, now the University of Twente. Two years later he was appointed as the first Rector Magnificus. Under his supervision the University of Twente became innovative in various areas, such as: providing campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
-accommodation for students and the introduction of the Baccalaureate degree. The purpose of the Baccalaureate degree, was to shorten the period of study without causing loss of quality. Thus encouraging industry to employ young baccalaureate graduates. The concept turned out to be not viable. He ended his speech held on the occasion of the festive opening in 1964 by H.M. Queen Juliana
Juliana of the Netherlands
Juliana was the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands between 1948 and 1980. She was the only child of Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Henry...
and H.R.H. Prince Bernard
Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld
Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld , later Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, was prince consort of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and father of six children, including the current monarch Queen Beatrix....
by using the words William of Orange
William the Silent
William I, Prince of Orange , also widely known as William the Silent , or simply William of Orange , was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Years' War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. He was born in the House of...
spoke in 1574 on the occasion of the opening of the first Dutch University in Leiden: “That this University College may grow into a lasting fundament and support of freedom, is our sincerest wish”. In 1967 he left the University. In his honour the Berkhoff Chair was installed in 1999 and in 2010 the Berkhoff Hall was opened for academic ceremonies.
Royal Honours
- Officer in the Order of Orange-NassauOrder of Orange-NassauThe Order of Orange-Nassau is a military and civil order of the Netherlands which was created on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma of the Netherlands, acting on behalf of her under-age daughter Queen Wilhelmina. The Order is a chivalry order open to "everyone who have earned special merits for...
(1957) - Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion (1967)