What a history we have to be proud of!
The first Dutch computer (ARRA), a globally used algorithm for route navigation (Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm) and the development of one of the most widely used programming languages in the world (Python) are three highlights from our rich history.
The history of CWI started in 1946, when the institute was founded under the name Mathematisch Centrum. Its purpose was to help rebuild the Netherlands after the Second World War.
The statutes stated that this was to be achieved by ‘promoting the systematic practice of pure and applied mathematics in the Netherlands’. It had to lead to ‘the raising of the level of prosperity and civilisation in the Netherlands’. In addition, the aim was ‘to increase the contribution of the Netherlands to international culture’.
Due to the ever-growing societal importance of computer science, the institute was renamed Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in September 1983.
CWI connects mathematics with computer science, fundamental with applied research, science with industry and also links its own scientific research to education and training at universities.