Alexander Rinnooy Kan
Encyclopedia
Alexander Hendrik George Rinnooy Kan (5 October 1949) is a Dutch
mathematician
and business leader. The Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant
named him the most influential man in the Netherlands in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Since 1 August 2006, he president of the Dutch Social-Economic Council
(in which he is crown-appointed member). From 1991 until 1996, he was president of the employers federation VNO and, after the merger with NCW, of the VNO-NCW.
Alexander Rinnooy Kan is a member of the political party D66
and the innovatieplatform.
in 1972. In the same year he obtained his B.Sc. degree in econometrics from the University of Amsterdam. In 1972-73, he worked as a mathematician at Spectrum Encyclopedia. From 1973 until 1977 he was a scientific employee in Mathematics and Statistics
at Delft University of Technology
(then Delft Technical College). During this period, in 1976, he obtained a Ph.D.
-degree in mathematics at the University of Amsterdam.
In 1977, he went to the Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he became a full professor
in Operations Research
in 1980 at the age of 30. In 1983, he was appointed head of the econometric institute, and in 1986 rector magnificus
of the university. In the meantime, he was visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley
and MIT, amongst others.
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
and business leader. The Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant
De Volkskrant
de Volkskrant is a national daily Dutch morning newspaper, the leading centre-left broadsheet, although now in tabloid size.-History:...
named him the most influential man in the Netherlands in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Since 1 August 2006, he president of the Dutch Social-Economic Council
Social-Economic Council
The Sociaal-Economische Raad is a major economic advisory council of the Dutch government. Formally it heads a system of sector-based regulatory organizations. It represents the social partners trade unions and employers' organizations...
(in which he is crown-appointed member). From 1991 until 1996, he was president of the employers federation VNO and, after the merger with NCW, of the VNO-NCW.
Alexander Rinnooy Kan is a member of the political party D66
Democrats 66
Democrats 66 is a progressive and social-liberal political party in the Netherlands. D66 was formed in 1966 by a group of politically unaligned, young intellectuals, led by journalist Hans van Mierlo. The party's main objective was to democratise the political system; it proposed to create an...
and the innovatieplatform.
Education and academic career
Rinnooy Kan grew up in The Hague. He graduated in mathematics at Leiden UniversityLeiden 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...
in 1972. In the same year he obtained his B.Sc. degree in econometrics from the University of Amsterdam. In 1972-73, he worked as a mathematician at Spectrum Encyclopedia. From 1973 until 1977 he was a scientific employee in Mathematics and Statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
at Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology , also known as TU Delft, is the largest and oldest Dutch public technical university, located in Delft, Netherlands...
(then Delft Technical College). During this period, in 1976, he obtained a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
-degree in mathematics at the University of Amsterdam.
In 1977, he went to the Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he became a full professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in Operations Research
Operations research
Operations research is an interdisciplinary mathematical science that focuses on the effective use of technology by organizations...
in 1980 at the age of 30. In 1983, he was appointed head of the econometric institute, and in 1986 rector magnificus
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the university. In the meantime, he was visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and MIT, amongst others.