After 395 years of excellence in teaching and research the University of Groningen is moving confidently towards the future. The University continues to strive to strengthen its international position, always with an eye to national and global developments and a clear awareness of its strengths and weaknesses. Outlining a strategic plan provides a perfect opportunity to thoroughly analyse our research and teaching achievements to date and to set a course for the coming years on the basis of a critical grasp of past strategic policy. We have gratefully made use of contributions by all of the important players in the field: the University Council, the members of faculty boards, student committees and board members, top lecturers, programme managers, young and talented researchers, and established and renowned academics.
The 21st century has brought with it important issues which demand a significant response from any university. More specifically, there are a number of developments occurring in society and politics which affect the University of Groningen. The increasing importance of accountability in the expenditure of public funds is one crucial issue. The call for transparency is also on the rise with regard to staffing and the organization in general, with teaching evaluations and success rates now published and critically examined. At the same time, as a result of changes in University funding, competition between researchers for external funding has greatly increased. These are just some of the issues addressed in our strategic plan.
Even with a standard of excellence being reached at all levels, from its students, lecturers and researchers to its inspiring degree programmes and innovative research, the University of Groningen still has plenty of room for improvement. To further strengthen the position of the University, success rates must rise, more high-quality research must be undertaken and, of great importance, the quality of the University must become clearly visible at home and abroad.
The University of Groningen will pursue five significant strategic paths in the coming years. The first concerns the achievement of the highest levels of performance and quality by all at the University of Groningen. Whether in supporting roles, as students or researchers, everyone will be asked to perform to the best of their ability. To achieve this, a number of instruments which provide insight into performance will be introduced, with the goal of facilitating support or addressing poor performance where necessary through greater awareness of obligations.
Those expected to do their very best require the very best facilities and highest levels of support. The second strategic path therefore concerns the careful supervision of students, in particular in their first years, but also the training and support of lecturers, including training in academic leadership, and further support in the quest for external funding.
The third pathway aims to provide talent with the room to flourish. This will be achieved not only by attracting excellent, ambitious students, young researchers and established top-level academics, but also by creating a challenging environment in which to study and undertake research. The fourth path concerns the continued internationalization of staff, as well as increasing the percentage of students given the opportunity to study abroad.
For the successful implementation of all of these important changes, the fifth strategic path is essential – efficient, insightful management across the University.
The University of Groningen has a clear vision regarding its future and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this and certainly hope that both our staff and students will grasp this opportunity to explore their talent and realize our ambitions.
So let’s move forward together – 400 years of passion & performance!
Sibrand Poppema,
President of the Board of the University
