Reappointment of rector and president of the Executive Board of Maastricht University

The Supervisory Board of Maastricht University has reappointed Rianne Letschert and Pamela Habibović as president of the Executive Board and rector magnificus of UM, respectively. The Supervisory Board’s decision is based in part on the positive recommendations of the University Council and the Board of Deans. For Prof. Dr. Pamela Habibović, this is her second term as rector, which will commence on 1 February 2026. Prof. Dr. Rianne Letschert will begin her third term on 1 November 2025. During her first term, she held the position of rector magnificus.

Together with vice-president Jan-Tjitte Meindersma, Rianne Letschert and Pamela Habibović form the Executive Board of UM. As president, Rianne Letschert is primarily responsible for general administrative matters and is involved in strategy, international affairs and maintaining various external contacts. Rector magnificus Pamela Habibović represents the university’s academic community. The rector’s primary responsibilities are to monitor and promote the quality of education and scientific research. To this end, she also collaborates with fellow universities and research institutions, among others. 

Annelies van der Pauw, chair of the Supervisory Board, said of the reappointments: “Rianne Letschert and Pamela Habibović both mean a great deal to the university, from the further expansion of education and research to social safety and from the careful development of internationalization to strengthening UM’s position within the Dutch academic community. In addition, they strengthen relationships outside UM, including with fellow institutions, companies and government bodies in the region, such as the Brightlands campuses, MUMC+ and partners in the Euregion and beyond. In times of political uncertainty for higher education, they know how to stay the course and help UM flourish. This gives us great confidence for the coming years. Both are essential for the process of further strengthening the relationship with MUMC+. That is also one of the reasons why Rianne Letschert is entering her third term.”