Rector Magnificus Cisca Wijmenga not available for second term

The Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen, Cisca Wijmenga, has informed the Supervisory Board and her colleagues on the Board of the University that she will not be available for a second term at the end of 2023.

Cisca Wijmenga: ‘Due to personal circumstances, it is with pain in my heart that I have made the difficult decision not to make myself available for a second term as Rector Magnificus of this beautiful University. With great effort and commitment, I will continue to fulfil my role as Rector Magnificus until 1 September 2023.’

Johan Remkes, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the University of Groningen: ‘The Supervisory Board expresses their appreciation for the Rector’s strong vision, which she uses for the benefit of the academic world, both within and outside the UG. She is the driving force behind many new initiatives focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, improving the quality of teaching and research, and student involvement, leading to, among other things, the start of the four Schools, the Teaching Academy Groningen, the UG Support Plan, the Aletta Jacobs chairs, and the concrete implementation of Recognition and Rewards. We respect her decision not to make herself available for a second term due to personal circumstances. We are delighted that Cisca Wijmenga will continue to fulfil the position of Rector Magnificus with unabated effort and manage the University together with her fellow Board members in the coming year.’

Jouke de Vries, President of the Board of the University of Groningen: ‘Cisca Wijmenga has shown great decisiveness in implementing several important changes in the fields of teaching and research in a short space of time. Innovation was always her starting point. In addition, as Rector Magnificus she fulfilled the University’s representative duties with fervour and style. Hans Biemans and I find it unfortunate, and at the same time understandable that Cisca had to take this decision.’