Jantine Schuit becomes new rector; first all-female university board

Jantine Schuit will succeed Annelien Bredenoord as rector magnificus of Erasmus University. Currently vice-rector in Tilburg, Schuit will start her new position on 1 November. As far as is known, Erasmus University will become the first Dutch university ever to have an entirely female Executive Board.

A minor reshuffle is taking place within the university’s executive board: Bredenoord will not leave but will replace Ed Brinksma as president of the board on 1 September when Brinksma retires. Ellen van Schoten will remain in her position as vice-president of the Executive Board.

Recognition and Rewards

Jantine Schuit (1964) is a professor of Health, Behaviour and Society. In Tilburg, she was co-responsible for education, research, and impact, and she was involved in improving education and transdisciplinary research. Additionally, she contributed to the national programme Recognition and Rewards, which aims to value the diverse contributions of scientists beyond just their publications.

She studied Household and Consumer Sciences in Wageningen and earned her PhD in 1997 with research on the effects of an exercise programme on the health of the elderly. She worked at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) for twenty years, including as head of the Nutrition, Prevention and Care Centre. As an associate professor and endowed professor, she was affiliated with VU University Amsterdam.

Since 2020, she has been a member of the Executive Board of Tilburg University. Her departure must have come as a bit of a surprise: her term as vice-rector there was extended by four years this past June.

'Clear vision'

Jaap Winter, chair of the Supervisory Board, explained in a press release why Schuit was chosen: “Schuit is an asset to Erasmus University. She has a clear vision of the goals and challenges for the EUR in the upcoming period and we expect that she will be able to tackle these effectively in good cooperation with all involved.” Schuit has been appointed for a four-year term.

In the same press release, Schuit expressed her happiness with the appointment: “Erasmus University is a wonderful university with ambitious goals that greatly appeal to me. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues, both within and outside the university. It is special to be able to play a meaningful role in this academic community and to work together with our staff and students towards a promising future for Erasmus University.”