Bert van der Zwaan

Bert van der Zwaan (1952) is the chair of the Board of Trustees and also a member of its Remuneration Committee. Bert was the Rector Magnificus of Utrecht University from 2011 to 2018, when he was awarded emeritus status. Previously, he studied Geology at VU University Amsterdam, gained a PhD from Utrecht University and was appointed professor of Biogeology at Radboud University in Nijmegen in 1991.

This was followed by his appointment to the position of full professor of Biogeology at Utrecht University. He became the first scientific director of the Darwin Center for Geobiology and was dean of the Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University. In 2008, he stepped down from his position as professor of Biogeology at Utrecht University; he then focused on management.

During his time as Rector, Van der Zwaan launched various initiatives to strengthen the university's ties with primary and secondary education in the region, such as the 'Meet the professor' programme. He is a strong advocate of the internationalisation of education and also recognises the dangers faced by the educational sector throughout the world. Van der Zwaan has strong views about the future of universities and education in general. He wants to attract the very best students, is in favour of diversity and is not averse to preselection.

"International relations are crucial for the Netherlands as a trading nation. Accordingly, it is essential that the entire education spectrum, from primary school to university, pays attention to international citizenship and the opportunities that internationalisation offers. Nuffic is a wonderful organisation which plays a major role in this effort due to its extensive knowledge and expertise."

BERT VAN DER ZWAAN

Van der Zwaan’s views are set out in Haalt de Universiteit 2040? (which translates as ‘will universities make it to 2040?’), a book that he published in 2015. In his book, Van der Zwaan concludes that the future of universities is not guaranteed and should be rethought and that the development of individuals continues to be their most important role. At the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (Universiteiten van Nederland (UNL)), Van der Zwaan heads the system reform taskforce (taskforce Stelselherziening).

Bert van der Zwaan is the chair of the Board of Trustees and also a member of its Remuneration Committee.

Ancillary positions:

Chairman of the Program Committee National Science Agenda (NWA)
Member of the Academic Advisory Council Heidelberg University
Member of the Quality Evaluation Panel Universities Singapore
Member of the International Advisory Board Studyportals
Chairman of the Supervisory Board NESKO
Member of the Advisory Board Geological Museum Hofland

Appointment term (1st and 2nd): from September 27, 2019, to September 27, 2027.