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Executive Board members for the next six months confirmed: Pamela Habibović, Jan Smits and Jan-Tjitte Meindersma

The Supervisory Board of UM has decided on a temporary new formation of the Executive Board. Pamela Habibović will become chair of the board, and Jan Smits will become rector magnificus. Both appointments are for a period of six months, until 1 September 2026. Together with vice-chair Jan-Tjitte Meindersma, the Executive Board will be back to full strength in the short term, following the departure of Rianne Letschert, who is becoming a minister in the new cabinet in the Netherlands. 

The Supervisory Board considers it necessary to fill all Executive Board positions in the short term, given the multitude of ongoing issues. The Supervisory Board will make preparations for permanent appointments in the coming months.

The University Council and the deans gave a positive recommendation on the shortened appointment procedure and on this interim formation of the Executive Board. 

Continuity
The new appointments ensure continuity. Pamela Habibović has been a member of the UM Executive Board for more than four years as rector magnificus. Jan Smits, professor of private law, has been dean of the UM Faculty of Law since 2017. His second and final term as dean ends on 1 March. Due to his current interim appointment as rector magnificus, he is postponing the sabbatical leave he wanted to take from that date.

How does it work again: chair, rector magnificus, vice-chair

As chair, Pamela Habibović will be primarily responsible for general administrative matters from 1 March. She will focus on strategy, international affairs and maintaining various external contacts, among other things. From that date, rector magnificus Jan Smits will represent the university's academic community. The rector's primary responsibilities are to monitor and promote the quality of education and scientific research. In the new structure, vice-chair Jan-Tjitte Meindersma will remain responsible for finance, risk management and operations.

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