Photo: Duncan de Fey The appointment of a new chair of the Executive Board always elicits opinions. Resource sounded people out on and around the campus: what will Heimovaara have to offer us?
Tim van der Hagen, chair of the Executive Board and rector magnificus at TU Delft
‘Sjoukje heeft large boots to fill, want Louise Fresco is natuurlijk een hele krachtige bestuursvoorzitter. Maar ik ken ‘Sjoukje has big boots to fill, because Louise Fresco is of course a very strong president. But I know Sjoukje well – we are both members of the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) and we meet monthly – and I am convinced that she will do it with verve. Sjoukje is lively, humorous and approachable. And she is perfectly equipped for her new role, not least because she conducted a thorough study of the future of higher education on behalf of the AWTI. I am glad our ways will not part when I leave the AWTI this summer: we will continue to work closely together, but as fellow board chairs connected through 4TU (an alliance of Dutch technology-oriented universities, ed.) I am looking forward to that.’
Christa Testerink, professor of Plant Physiology
‘Sjoukje was my co-supervisor when I did my PhD in Leiden in 2001; I was her first PhD student. Afterwards, we often met in the plant sciences world. I was delighted when she came to Wageningen, but that she will now be chair of the Board is absolutely fantastic – and good news for WUR. Sjoukje is no-nonsense, positive and committed and she inspires people with great confidence. She also radiates “pleasure in science”, and a sense that it is a privilege to do science. I am pretty sure she won’t lose sight of the importance of super-fundamental science, alongside her attention to using science to help solve societal issues. I am sure she will be a president to be proud of. And I hope she will succeed in making WUR more diverse.’
Lidwien Poorthuis, managing director of LNVH (the national network of female professors)
‘What struck me in Sjoukje Heimovaara’s introduction was her commitment to listening. That is a leadership quality that is still very much underestimated, but is of great value – certainly when it comes to diversity and Recognition & Rewards. I also like the fact that she is familiar with science, business and civil society organizations. That breadth suits WUR and it benefits diversity too. And of course I applaud the fact that Louise Fresco’s place in the Executive Board is once again occupied by a woman.’
Floor Vermeulen, Mayor of Wageningen
‘Als Sjoukje Heimovaara straks bestuursvoorzitter van WUR is, delen we een merk en maken we samen de stad. Ik ‘When Sjoukje Heimovaara becomes chair of WUR’s Executive Board in a little while, we will share a brand and shape the city together. I remember how I went to the campus in my first week as mayor to meet the Executive Board. Let’s turn that around now: I would like to invite Sjoukje for a walk around the city soon. Wageningen may not be new to her, but as we walk we can exchange ideas on how to shape life in the city together – including issues such as student housing and spatial planning.’
