Bottom line - KLM gets green
PR and likely some tax write-off for the suport, the profs get to publish and not perish, and some students get class credit for the cool promotional CGI work.
Judging the design from the imagery (since we have zero facts about the actual intended engineering and aerodynamics), I would propose that this be viewed more as a
lifting body fuselage concept, with blended stub wings outboard the engines for additional (and flexible, slatted/flapped, aileroned) lift. As in the Cranfield U./Boeing X-48 concept Megan shows us
. Minus the "theater" seating, which is what put the customer kibosh on Cranfield's concept as an
airliner, although it's still being developed for UAV, tanker or cargo use.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-48
In which case the center of
body lift may be much further forward than obvious, and the high engines and ND thrust may actually be a plus. (As well as protecting the engines from FOD). Not sure that leading edge icing would be as significant an issue as with a regular airfoil, either. Except on the stub wings.