Themes

The Summit programme is organised around the following principal themes, reflecting the multidimensional nature of systems competencies and workforce development.

Policy Theme – Global Systems Context and Needs

This theme explores the policy and strategic context in which systems competencies have become a critical national and international capability. It addresses how growing system complexity, digitalization, AI, and geopolitical pressures reshape economic resilience, innovation capacity, and public trust.

Discussions focus on:

  • Systems sovereignty and competitiveness
  • Government responsibility in systems workforce development
  • Long-term implications for infrastructure, security, and societal transformation

Theme Chair: Jeroen Dijsselbloem; Mayor of Eindhoven; Chair Brainport Development; former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands; former President of the Eurogroup
Associate Chair: Monika Hoekstra; Managing Director, Dutch NXTGEN HighTech Programme

Industry Implementation Theme – System Competencies as Drivers of Innovation

This theme addresses the practical role of systems competencies in industry, where complex products and services increasingly evolve into software-defined, AI-enabled Systems of Systems.

Topics include:

  • Systems engineering as a source of competitive advantage
  • Integration of hardware, software, AI, and supply chains
  • Implications for leadership, talent development, and organizational design

Theme Chair: To be confirmed
Associate Chair: To be confirmed

Academia and Education Theme – A Paradigm Shift in Systems Education

Focusing on education and talent pipelines, this theme examines how universities and training institutions must rethink curricula, pedagogy, and collaboration with industry to meet growing systems workforce demands.

Key questions include:

  • Phased systems education across career stages
  • Integration of AI, digital engineering, and life-cycle thinking
  • Strengthening university–industry–government collaboration

Theme Chair: Prof. Emma Sparks; Rector and Dean, University of New South Wales
Associate Chair: To be confirmed

Government and Agencies Theme – Policy Guidance and Systems Implementation

This theme looks at the role of governments and public agencies as both users and producers of systems competencies, particularly in large-scale programmes such as space, defense, energy, transport, and public infrastructure.

Focus areas include:

  • Managing complexity and risk in public programmes
  • Systems-oriented procurement and governance
  • Developing in-house systems capabilities within agencies

Theme Chair: Prof. Larry D. James; Lt. General (ret.), USAF; former Deputy Director & COO NASA JPL

Professional Organizations Theme – Cooperation for Growing Systems Workforces

This theme explores how professional organizations can cooperate across disciplines and sectors to support lifelong learning, standards alignment, certification, and global knowledge exchange.

Discussions will address:

  • Continuous professional development
  • Interoperability of standards and frameworks
  • The role of professional bodies as trusted intermediaries

Theme Chair: To be confirmed
Associate Chair: To be confirmed