Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) and Heijmans Utiliteit are joining forces around data science

Construction company Heijmans and Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) are going to collaborate more intensively. To do this, the two have signed a cooperation agreement.

The field of data science, in which knowledge and expertise are used to gain insights from data, is developing at lightning speed. Heijmans is increasingly using data to create healthy living environments. Making buildings smarter is a key element in this endeavor. The Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) is the hotspot in the Netherlands in the field of data science, where students, researchers and businesses work together to create value using data.

Connecting domain knowledge and data science expertise
One of the most important elements of data science is linking domain knowledge (such as a baker who knows exactly how to bake bread) with data science expertise. This is exactly what the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) and Heijmans are aiming for with the collaboration. Heijmans will gather knowledge and insights that lead to better investments and innovations. For JADS, the collaboration will provide access to data sets, new scientific challenges and career opportunities for students.

“When I started working in a construction business, we used stone and concrete. But recently a new raw material has been added: data. Data allows us to help our customers in new ways, which is very important to us. That’s why we love working with JADS. “, says Ton Fleuren, Director Business Development & StartUps at Heijmans.

From cases to knowledge sharing
Heijmans and JADS have known each other for some time. What started with a number of cases that were studied by JADS students has grown into a full-fledged collaboration. For example, one of the Professional Doctorate of Engineering (PDEng) students graduated from Heijmans and subsequently started as a data scientist at Heijmans. Another Heijmans data scientist works at JADS one day a week, where she participates in research in the field of energy transition. All examples of a collaboration that contributes to common goals.

Living Lab: Making buildings better and more efficient with data
Cooperation does not only take place on the personnel level. For example, a Living Lab has been set up where sensors from the BeSense Smart Building platform of Heijmans were placed in the JADS campus building. The sensors measure, among other things, presence and comfort level. Academics and students then work with this data in research and the curriculum to find out what comfort level tells us about the experience of people in a space. The data can also be used by the facility services company to implement improvements or to use the building more efficiently.

JADS and Heijmans: ambitions that connect seamlessly
The ambitions of JADS and Heijmans fit well together. JADS has the ambiltion to create an ecosystem in which companies and academics work together to valorize data in various areas such as Smart Agriculture and Smart Cities. Heijmans has the ambition to create healthy living environments. Digitization and making building smarter are increasingly important in this ambition.