The Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences (HvA) is to appoint a rector. This will fill an existing vacancy and add a fourth member to the Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the HvA. This decision was taken by the Supervisory Board of both institutions, which also intends to extend the appointment of UvA Rector Magnificus Dymph van den Boom by a further four years at the end of her current term.

‘This board composition corresponds with the course set for the UvA and HvA in the coming years,' explained Niek Urban, chairman of the Supervisory Board. The UvA and HvA are together responsible for the large and heterogeneous student population in and around Amsterdam. Both institutions have their own specific characteristics and qualities, which will be reinforced and expanded upon in the coming years. The value added by the collaboration between the UvA and HvA lies in the fact that the study programmes offered complement each other and there is a harmonious relationship between the practise-based research at the HvA and the academic research conducted at the UvA. In addition, both institutions utilise the advantages of joint operations. These are important themes in the vision of the future and the new strategic plans for 2011-2014.

An Executive Board consisting of four members, with a rector for the HvA in addition to the UvA's Rector Magnificus corresponds with this new direction. The rector of the HvA will be responsible for a portfolio comprising of education, research, HR and internationalisation of the HvA. The rector will work closely with the UvA's Rector Magnificus.

The recruitment process to find a rector for the HvA will start soon, after the Supervisory Board has received advice from the representative advisory board and the Works Council with regard to the job profile. The proposed decision, taken by the Supervisory Board, to extend the term of the UvA's Rector Magnificus is expected to be finalised on 15 December.