Wilma de Koning new Vice-President of Tilburg University Executive Board
Wilma de Koning will become the new Vice-President of the Executive Board of Tilburg University on November 15, 2023. She succeeds Vice-President Paulina Snijders, who will join the Board of Directors of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) on September 1, 2023.
The Board of Governors has decided this on the recommendation of the selection committee and having heard the University Council. The appointment is for a period of four years.
Wilma de Koning (1962) studied Business Economics at the Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven and at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. She took a post-graduate Accountancy program in Rotterdam and Accountancy and Environment at the University of Amsterdam. Between 2001 and 2009, Wilma already worked at Tilburg University as the Managing Director of the School of Economics and Management and later as Secretary/General Director. From 2009, Wilma gained broad experience as a member of the Executive Board of Fontys Universities of Applied Sciences and, from 2013 to 2021, she was Vice-President of the Executive Board of Radboud University Nijmegen. Working in higher education and research are a common thread in her varied career. At the moment, Wilma is working as the director general at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the society of 600 scientists, The Young Academy, the Society of Arts (Akademie van Kunsten) as well as the organization consisting of twelve renowned (research) institutes.
Hugo Reumkens, chairman of the Board of Governors: “We are very pleased that Wilma de Koning wants to take on the position of Vice-President of the Executive Board. Wilma has worked at our university before and is a valued member of the academic community. She is a natural connection maker and brings vast political-administrative experience within higher education and research to the job of Vice-President of the Executive Board. The Board of Governors has every confidence that Wilma de Koning, together with Wim van de Donk as Rector Magnificus and President of the Executive Board and Jantine Schuit as Vice-Rector, will successfully continue the governance of Tilburg University and the implementation of the strategy towards our centenary and further strengthen the connection of the university with its environment and all its stakeholders.”
“I am excited to be collaborating with my new colleagues at Tilburg University, where I have enjoyed working before."
Wilma de Koning’s reaction
“I am excited to be collaborating with my new colleagues at Tilburg University, where I have enjoyed working before. There is an ambitious Campus Vision, there are considerable challenges in the digitization of education and research and the further intensification of collaboration with the City of Tilburg and the region, at national and international levels. I look forward to working on this with colleagues and students. This job feels a bit like coming home. I want to thank the Board of Governors, the University Council, and the selection committee for the trust they place in me and I look forward to fruitful and enjoyable collaboration!"
The duties of Vice-President will be taken over by Wim van de Donk and Jantine Schuit to bridge the period after September 1 until the new Vice-President starts her work on November 15, 2023.