Chair of UNIC Leadership Board Ed Brinksma Will Step Down in September 2024

January 2024: Prof. Dr. Ed Brinksma, current Chair of the UNIC Alliance’s Leadership Board, has announced his intention to step down in September 2024, as a consequence of his retirement as President of Erasmus University Rotterdam. As one of the core supporters of the UNIC Alliance from its earliest days in 2020, Professor Brinksma was a vital force in forging UNIC’s emergence from an ambitious idea to establishing its expanded, continued journey towards building the European University of the future.

“Being part of the UNIC journey has been an extraordinary honour,” says Professor Brinksma. “UNIC’s true partnership of students, teachers, and citizens – tackling major transitions that will define Europe’s future - has been a very inspiring experience in my career. Considerations of a private nature lead me to embrace the opportunity for a future with more time and attention for those dear to me. I will remain fully committed to UNIC and its future until my final day as Chair of the Leadership Board."

Professor Brinksma’s time at UNIC was transformational for the alliance. During his tenure the Leadership Board oversaw the building of a rich spectrum of activities and new offerings for students, researchers, staff, and citizens across Europe. He was a key figure in enabling UNIC’s new phase, guided by a bold, new Mission Statement that took effect in October 2023.

The EUR Executive Board, together with UNIC HQ, are currently in the process of finding a successor for Ed, a challenging task given his leadership and commitment to the European University Initiative. Further announcements will follow in the coming months, and will be communicated at UNIC Leadership Board of June 10^th.