Wageningen has never had a female rector. Photo Roelof Kleis Arthur Mol has held the position of rector since 2015 but will step down in March of next year. His successor is to be selected from among his peers in Wageningen, as is tradition. In other words, the new rector must be a professor at Wageningen University in the last three years.
The selection started this week. Unlike other job openings, the position of rector is available by nomination only. Hence, students and employees of WUR may submit a substantiated nomination. The selection committee then investigates whether the nominee is a willing candidate.
Haste is of the essence
Those wanting to submit a nomination must move with haste; the deadline is one week from now. Professors can also apply. For them, the deadline to submit their application is ten days longer. Should this yield insufficient candidates, the committee may also proactively approach candidates, says Dean of Education Arnold Bregt.
We hope to receive both nominations and applications. That is our position at the moment
Arnold Bregt, Dean of Education
‘We hope to receive both nominations and applications’, Arnold Bregt says. ‘That is our position at the moment. We can always resort to approaching candidates.’ The selection committee must put at least two candidates before the Advisory Board. The AB then interviews the candidates and decides who gets the position. The new rector will be installed during next year’s Dies Natalis.
Woman?
The new rector must meet a steep set of criteria. They must be a professor and, thus, a scientific expert and have a solid view of the domain of higher education and WUR’s research institutes. The selection committee has not voiced a preference for a man or woman. Never before has WUR had a female rector.
