General Executive Affairs

The department of Strategy & Policy within the General Executive Affairs (GEA) advises the Executive Board and faculties on matters regarding research, education, knowledge valorization, campus development and the strategy of the university. Strategy & Policy also serves as central source of information for faculties and expertise centres and is often responsible for the initial phase of development of strategic implementation. In addition, Strategy & Policy serves in signaling national and international developments in higher education. 

Strategy & Policy supports the university in strengthening its current position based on three main themes: ‘Learning & Innovation’, ‘Quality of Life’ and ‘Europe & a Globalising World’ and helps to create a dynamic, innovative learning environment which encourages academic self-reflection and continuous improvement. Strategy & Policy also helps to set the conditions in which a student can develop successfully, both academically and socially.

The CI Office guides, enables and accelerates UM’s digital development and innovation. The team provides clear frameworks for this and works in co-creation with internal and external partners. This allows education and research to excel, supported by professional business operations.

The CI Office is a multidisciplinary team that consists of around 20 employees. They are policy officers with different areas of interest (such as strategy, architecture and privacy & security), and project and programme managers. The team advises and supports the faculties, expertise centres and the Executive Board on and with digitalisation, digital innovation and the (agile) transformation of the university. The team is also responsible for creating the UM-wide digitalisation strategy and keeps this up to date.

The Development & Alumni Relations team consists of the Alumni Office (AO) and the University Fund Limburg (UFL).

The Alumni Office ensures the bonding of UM and its Alumni community. The office maintains the CV data of our alumni, organises and supports alumni circles in our country and (often far) beyond. Various events and meeting moments are organised annually. Communication is also used, including through social media to inform and engage alumni about their 'Alma Mater'. The Alumni Office within D&A works together with the alumni coordinators of the Faculties and Schools.

 For more information, visit the Alumni Office website.

Development & Alumni Relations is also the office of the University Fund Limburg. The University Fund Limburg has supported education and research at UM since its foundation and engages in private fundraising. This enables UM to realise special projects, research and other wishes where regular resources for research and education fall short.

  For more information, please visit the website of the University Fund Limburg.

The Legal Affairs department (afdeling Juridische Zaken, or JZ) provides legal and strategic advice and support to the Executive Board, faculties and other divisions of Maastricht University.

Covering a wide area of private, education, privacy, labour and administrative law, the department’s activities are organisation-oriented and conducted for all departments and internal stakeholders of the university.

The Legal Affairs department gives advice and monitors compliance with laws and regulations relating to contracts with other parties such as universities, non-profit organisations or companies (including drafting, negotiating and reviewing), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (for more information: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/um-employees/you-and-your-work/legislation/privacy) and the overall administration of the university. In addition, the Legal Affairs department supports the Board of Appeal for Examinations (CBE), identifies relevant legal developments and assists in legal procedures.

Marketing & Communications (M&C) is committed to the positioning of Maastricht University, communication with students, staff, and partners, and the recruitment of new students. This is done in close collaboration with the communications teams of the faculties and expertise centres. The department consists of approximately 42.5 FTE, supported by various freelancers and student assistants, and is divided into six teams:

• Digital Innovation
• Events
• Internal Communication
• Marketing & Student Recruitment
• Editorial Office
• Spokespersonship & Media Relations

The department's focal points are: 

• Positioning: further strengthening the distinctive position of Maastricht University
• Digitalisation: further developing the university's digital platform and online services.
• Student recruitment: recruiting new students while ensuring a good balance of students from the Netherlands, the Euregion, and beyond.
• Spokespersonship: representing the university and its leadership externally, as well as advising leaders and academics on external communication.
• Organisational development: ensuring clear communication from the university as a whole, while creating space for communication from different parts of the organisation.
• Community building: helping to foster opportunities for connection, dialogue, and knowledge development between students and staff around current topics within the university.

The International Office supports Maastricht University (UM) in achieving its strategic and societal goals by strengthening UM’s position and impact as a European university with a global outlook, firmly rooted in the region. 

 It plays a leading role in shaping and coordinating UM’s internationalisation ambitions across education, research, societal engagement and strategic partnerships. As a strategic anchor for internationalisation, the International Office:  

• Acts as an expert adviser to the Executive Board and UM faculties;
• Develops, monitors, and coordinates UM’s strategic frameworks for internationalisation such as our Europe Strategy, Global Engagement and Language policy;
• Develops and nurtures UM’s mutually beneficial and strategic relationships with key partners, universities, and networks worldwide;
• Provides a home to key internationalisation initiatives, such as the YUFE Alliance, the Brussels Hub, Studio Europa Maastricht and the York-Maastricht Partnership.