Board of Trustees

This division ensures that the interaction between the day-to-day management and the trustees is efficient and effective.

The Board of Trustees is composed of the following members:

Bert van der Zwaan (1952) 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.

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).

In the following quote, Bert gets right to the core of the matter: "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 is the chair of the Board of Trustees and also a member of its Remuneration Committee.

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.

In 2020, Bert van der Zwaan shared his thoughts on the impact the corona crisis will have on universities. Read the interview: "Universities around the globe are really proving their worth"

Peter Arnoldus (1965) is a senior managing consultant at the Public Administration and Security consulting group of Berenschot. In this role, he focuses on strategic organizational change, financial management, and the reform and modernization of the business operations of public organizations.

Before joining Berenschot, Arnoldus was a member of the Council for the Judiciary since 2014. As CFO, he was responsible for Finance, Housing, Security, and Immigration Law. He held various top management positions in national public administration, including director of Financial and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and founder and head of the State Academy for Finance and Economics at the Ministry of Finance.

Peter Arnoldus is a member of the supervisory board of Nuffic, serving as Head of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.

Peter Arnoldus is a member of the Board of Trustees of Nuffic.

Ancillary positions:

• Lecturer at the National Academy for Finance, Economics and Management
• Lecturer at the Dutch School for Public Administration

Appointment term (1st): January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2026.

Read the interview about his ambitions for internationalisation: New member of Nuffic’s Board of Trustees: ‘Internationalisation for everyone’

Joyce Walstra (1978) is director at Oranjewoud Export Academy. A group of entrepreneurs and professionals who use their knowledge and experience to increase the export and sales opportunities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the north of the Netherlands.

Joyce studied Business Administration, International Business and Higher Hotel School. In her previous position she was director of Stenden professionals. A division of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, where she was responsible for creating customised educational offerings geared to the labour market.

From 2014 to 2016, she worked as a programme manager at Nuffic. In addition, she is actively committed to increasing international opportunities in SMEs through various side activities.

Joyce Walstra is a member of the Board of Trustees of Nuffic and serving as chairman of the Quality Committee.

Ancillary positions:

• Chairman MKB Noord
• Member General Board MKB Nederland
• Member General Board VNO-NCW Landelijk
• Member SER Noord Nederland
• Chairman Supervisory Board Landscape Triennale 2023
• Northern Netherlands Cooperation (SNN), Member Oversight Committee
• Member Board Circular Friesland
• Board member Northern Culture Fund
• Member Field Advisory Committee Commercial Economics

Appointment term (1st): January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2026.

Ewout D. West (1968) is the CFO at Zanders Group. Their advisory services focus on treasury strategy and organization, technology selection and implementation, financial and non-financial risk management – including risk modeling, validation, and compliance. Zanders is a globally leading independent treasury and risk advisory firm with around 300 employees operating from ten offices in Europe, the Middle East, the US, and Asia.

He studied Business Economics at the University of Limburg, followed by the post-graduate course Register Controller at the VU in Amsterdam.

After starting at KPN, he has worked at various companies including Stork Aerospace, Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer and the Dutch Railways.

He was also an advisor to start-ups and scale-ups and supervisor at a number of public transport companies. For work and study, Ewout lived in France, the UK and the United States – last mentioned as an exchange student.

Within the Board of Trustees Ewout West is Head of the Audit Committee.

Appointment term (1st): February 8, 2021, to February 8, 2025.

Hatte van der Woude (1969) was a member of the House of Representatives for the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from 2021 to 2023 and devoted herself to issues such as higher education, science policy, and emancipation. For example, as spokesperson for the Permanent Parliamentary Committee for Education, Culture and Science, she campaigned for more balance in internationalisation.

Before her move to the House of Representatives, she was alderman and deputy mayor in the municipality of Delft from 2018-2021. She became thoroughly acquainted with higher education in her work as a teacher and senior policy advisor as well in her work as a teacher and senior policy advisor at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, where she worked from 2007-2017. Here she devoted herself, among other things, to the development of internationalisation policy and a continuous learning line for internationalisation. But also for the development of an (international) portfolio of master programs. Her career started in Vietnam and Singapore.

Hatte studied European Studies and French at the University of Amsterdam and the University Paul Valéry 3 in Montpellier.

Hatte van der Woude is general member of the Board of Trustees of Nuffic.
Appointment term (1st): September1, 2024 to September 1, 2028.

Ancillary positions:

• Member of the Supervisory Board of Stichting Theater de Veste in Delft.
• Member of the Advisory Board of Mr.Fix BV in Amsterdam.