Farewell to CWI director Ton de Kok honored with royal distinction

Ton de Kok grew up in The Hague and studied mathematics and physics at Leiden University. After earning his PhD at VU Amsterdam, he worked in industry at Philips and the consultancy firm CQM. In 1992, he was appointed professor at TU/e, focusing on operations research and supply chain management.

Research and Impact

As head of the OPAC group, he helped build one of Europe’s largest research groups in inventory management and production systems. His work led to practical industrial applications, including a planning tool at Philips Semiconductors that delivered significant added value.

Educator and Connector

Beyond research, he played a key role in education and academic leadership. At TIAS Business School, he shaped master’s programmes and co-founded the European Supply Chain Forum, a network connecting companies and research institutions.

Broader Engagement

His societal involvement extends beyond academia. He has volunteered for many years at the De Hooge Berkt community in Bergeijk. In 2020, he became director of the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), guiding the institute through the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforcing its strategic position.

A Moment of Recognition

The royal distinction was presented by Deputy Mayor Marko van Dalen of the municipality of Bergeijk. Van Dalen spoke about the time when Ton de Kok became director of CWI: “In the middle of the COVID pandemic, you brought new energy, a clear strategic direction, and strong connections with both top international institutes and regional partners.”

This article is based on a news item from the TU/e website.