WUR is looking for a new Rector Magnificus* as successor to Arthur Mol. What qualities and principles should the new ‘Arthur Mol’ have? With over 200 full professors at WUR, the quality of the potential successors is expected to make for a tough competition. Obviously, the educational and research milestones of the selected candidates will form the basis for the selection process. However, these two key aspects shouldn’t be the only prerequisites in the selection. Other things to take into consideration are the candidate’s practical knowhow and experience of handling issues of mental health, diversity and inclusion, and equality and equity in the WUR community.
The WUR community’s wellbeing should come first for the new rector so WUR maintains its outstanding rankings
Another important point is how they will guarantee continuity in dealing with structural, institutional and everyday racism as well as social safety and respect for all.
In the recent past, decisions around the admission policy, unequal representation and the remuneration of scholarship PhD candidates have demonstrated bias, discrimination and structural racism at WUR. As WUR’s steward, the rector has a critical task to steer the university through all seasons, in good times and bad, through thick and thin.
I have had the privilege of engaging with the rector in both informal check-in sessions and formal Council meetings; and I can attest to his dedication to acting in the best interests of WUR and its community. While he has demonstrated resilience by propelling WUR through both good times and tough times, such as the Covid pandemic, there will be plenty of unfinished business for his successor to work on.
The new rector can surely take a leaf out of their predecessor’s book. But the successor will need a selfless spirit to maintain and anchor the stewardship role in relation to education, research and sustainability as well as in the interests of a strong WUR community with real advocacy of diversity, inclusion, equality and equity. Finally, the WUR community’s wellbeing should come first for the new rector so WUR maintains its outstanding rankings both locally and in the world.
Best of luck to the selected candidates!
*Rector Magnificus is equivalent to the University Vice Chancellor.
Joshua Wambugu (40), from Kenya, is a PhD candidate in the Marine Animal Ecology and Environmental Policy groups. He is a Social Safety Guide with the DARE Project and a member of the project’s coordinating team. He loves cooking, hiking and birdwatching.
