Jouke de Vries: ‘We’ve got a lot of things done’

At the start of 2026, President of the Board of the University Jouke de Vries looks ahead at all the developments facing the University. He discusses the new Institutional Plan that is almost complete, the need to design the administrative organization of the University differently, and the importance of the UG’s technological profile, among other topics. During the half-hour interview, he also touches on the formation of the Cabinet, collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, and activism at the university. Finally, he reveals what he considers to be the unforeseen risks.

De Vries: ‘Further developing our University into one of the best in the Netherlands, Europe, and the world is rewarding work. We’ve already done a lot.’ At the start of his final year as President of the Board, De Vries looks back on his time as President and the various crises that have confronted the University over recent years. ‘Despite all these crises, we were able to formulate a strategy for the long term, first and foremost, regarding the University of the North and the various Schools. And the path we’re currently forging with the new Institutional Plan and the concept of the fifth-generation university will continue to pave the way for our University.’  

The conversation is in Dutch. A summary can be read below, in Dutch and English.