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Tilburg University introduces ‘Professor of Practice’ to strengthen ties with practice

Published: 26th June 2017 Last updated: 01st May 2019

First appointment: Ronald de Jong, Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Philips Executive Committee
PRESS RELEASE JUNE 26, 2017 - Tilburg University has introduced a new position, namely, that of ‘Professor of Practice’. The Professor of Practice is an innovative business leader or entrepreneur working in an internationally oriented company. In this way, Tilburg University wants to reinforce its impact on society and strengthen its ties with practice. The first Professor of Practice has now been appointed at the School of Economics and Management (TiSEM): Ronald de Jong, Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Executive Committee at Philips.

Professor of Practice

A Professor of Practice is an inspiring role model for students. He/she is involved in teaching, where he/she can add value because of special practical and/or business experience. Furthermore, he/she can contribute to the impact of research on society and to applied science.

Ronald de Jong

Ronald de Jong has been appointed effective July 1, 2017, as Distinguished Professor of Practice in Business. He is one of the figureheads of the Dutch business sector and has a great reputation as a business leader. He started his career at Philips in 1990 and has since held leading positions in marketing, sales, service, operations, and supply chain and general management. In 2011, he was appointed Chief Market Leader and member of the Executive Committee, responsible for marketing, sales and service, as well as government relations. Since 2014, Ronald de Jong has been Chairman of the board of the Philips Foundation, set up to enable lasting social change in disadvantaged communities and access to healthcare through the application of innovation and collaboration. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of SNV, an international not-for-profit organization, and was honored by the World Economic Forum as a ‘Young Global Leader’ in 2007 in recognition of his business accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

Ronald de Jong studied Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam and participated in various leadership programs at Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Stanford University, Yale Institute for Global Leadership, and IMD Lausanne, among other institutions. Since 2015 he has been affiliated to Tilburg University as a Distinguished Fellow in the Globalization, Aging, Innovation and Care (GAIC) research program. At TiSEM’s Department of Marketing, he will present lectures and cases on marketing, services, and innovation management. For students who are about to enter the job market, his input will offer substantial added value.

 

Note to editors

For more information, please contact press officer Annemeike Tan, phone +31 13 - 4664000, e-mail a.m.tan@tilburguniversity.edu or Joost Maltha, Philips Group Press Office, +31 6 10 55 81 16, Joost.maltha@philips.com.