Robert-Jan Smits will say goodbye to our university on 27 March after six years as President of the Executive Board. He reflects on his time here: "At times, things felt too slow for me. But in hindsight, I see how much we've accomplished together. That's something to be proud of."
Anyone who knows our Executive Board President Robert-Jan Smits knows he likes to get things done. He was the driving force behind many strategic projects within the university, which have been elaborated in the Strategic Plan 2020-2025.
The evaluation of that Institutional Plan and making a start on the new plan for the next five years was central during the Strategy Days on 11 and 12 February. On these days, deans, deans, services directors and the Executive Board come together to discuss important strategic topics.
Meaningful conclusion
"It felt like a reflection on 'my policy' over the past six years - a meaningful conclusion for me. Though I was a bit tense beforehand, it was a rewarding experience," Smits admits. "When implementing large strategic projects, I could sometimes get slightly frustrated by how slow things were moving forward. Looking back on those six years, I realize we have achieved much together. We can be proud of that."
We have achieved much together. We can be proud of that.
Departing President of the Executive Board Robert-Jan Smits
Talking about the achievements over the past years, Smits mentions the intensification of cooperation with the high-tech industry, such as with ASML , which will invest eighty million euros in TU/e over the next ten years. A new lab for electron microscopy has also been made possible thanks to a large donation from DAF Trucks.
He also proudly mentions the Irène Curie program , through which our university has hired around a hundred female scientists, the development of Challenge-Based Learning as a form of education, the establishment of the EIRES, EAISI, and EHCI institutes , and the introduction of Everyone Professor .
Beethoven
The collaboration with industrial partners has been essential for securing the ninety million euros in Beethoven funds in 2024 to train more engineers for the rapidly growing semiconductor industry in the Brainport region, Smits says. This includes solid growth plans for our university in the coming years.
"The lobbying around Operation Beethoven was a long-term effort, but I'm extremely proud that we accomplished this together with the Brainport region. That collaboration has greatly strengthened our connection with the region."
According to Smits, the intensive cooperation with industrial partners has helped ensure that our university seems to be getting through the government's current wave of cutbacks for the universities in the Netherlands relatively well. "It proves once again how important the business community in the region is to us. That's where our roots lie, and we owe a lot to it. We have to cherish that bond."
Economize
"TU Delft has to make significant cutbacks. Unfortunately, the University of Twente has to lay off people. "We, on the other hand, are still hiring. While we also need to make considerable cutbacks, we do so strategically - staying lean and eliminating non-essentials. I'd rather go into the red than have to lay people off. Your employees are your most important assets, and sooner or later, there will be a new cabinet and funding for universities. But the people you let go won't return."
I'd rather go into the red than have to lay people off.
Departing President of the Executive Board Robert-Jan Smits
Evaluating and looking ahead to a new Institutional Plan
The current Institutional Plan was evaluated during the Strategy Days on 11 and 12 February. The deans and directors concluded that many strategic goals have been accomplished.
These include the growing number of students, the roll-out of the Bachelor College 2.0, the university's growth strategy and the setting up of the Beethoven project, collaboration with the high-tech industry, greater visibility of our university nationally and abroad, better digital facilities, the renovation of various buildings on campus, the social safety desk and a greater emphasis on well-being.
Work to be done
Not all the goals of the seventeen priorities have been fully achieved. "There is still work to be done," Smits acknowledges. This applies to attracting top talent, maintaining scientific excellence, and improving the university's governance. These topics should certainly be reflected in the Institutional Plan 2026-2030, which is being developed this year.
Additionally, three critical new topics were identified for the new Institutional Plan during the Strategy Days, and work on them can begin immediately. These include leadership at all levels, decision-making, implementation, and monitoring of decisions. The concept of One TU/e must also be further developed, along with our core values of being Curious, Open, Respectful, and Responsible (CORe).
Robert-Jan Smits' successor, Koen Janssen , was also present at these Strategy Days. "He actively participated and was very interested. These Strategy Days formed a nice transition between Koen and me."
Photo: Norbert van Onna
![[Translate to English:] TU/e-campus. Foto: Norbert van Onna](https://assets.w3.tue.nl/w/fileadmin/_processed_/c/5/csm_cooperation2_2019_TU_ATLAS_7098_Norbert_van_Onna_HR_2ddad6c592.jpg)
From Brussels to Eindhoven
When Smits came to TU/e six years ago, he had already had a career of thirty years as a director at the European Commission in Brussels. "There, I was accustomed to the fact that when a decision was made, everyone immediately got to work. I learned here that it doesn't work that way at a university."
Meeting culture
"When people say 'yes' here, they sometimes mean 'we're going to think about it again.' I also had to adapt to the complex university culture, which includes numerous meetings. Even more than in Brussels, although no one believes me when I tell them that."
"I had to reinvent myself here and, along the way, mastered the art of seduction. Making top-down decisions doesn't work here; you have to get people on board and convince them."
I consider our people's enormous drive and creativity to be one of the great strengths of our university.
Departing President of the Executive Board Robert-Jan Smits
Congratulations every day
Smits consistently starts his day by reviewing the list of TU/e employees who have appeared or been mentioned in the media. "I love seeing or reading about a TU/e employee or student in the news and sending them a congratulatory email. They always appreciate it. Unfortunately, I'm often told that I'm the only one reaching out to congratulate them. That's why I encourage the community to take more pride in supporting each other!"
Smits plans to continue full of energy until his last day on March 27. However, it is already different than usual. After the interview, he moves on to the final meeting with the university's Supervisory Board. And more and more often, someone walks in with a farewell gift. On his desk is a bottle of ouzo that he received from a Greek student. And a booklet that the ambassador of India brought for him.
Gone is gone
Smits knows that it will soon be a case of 'what's gone is gone' for him. "I don't want to be in the way of my successor. I also know how quickly you can be 'out'-no longer automatically informed, no longer part of that world. And that's how it should be."
Gratitude fills Smits as he looks back on his time at TU/e. "I've had the opportunity to meet many interesting people, both inside and outside the university. TU/e is home to passionate researchers, fantastic students, and a skilled support staff. To me, everyone plays a part in the success of our university."
I will undoubtedly miss the dynamics of our university.
Departing President of the Executive Board Robert-Jan Smits
"I will undoubtedly miss the people and the dynamics here-there's always something happening. The Executive Board is where decisions ultimately need to be made, whether positive or negative. That responsibility for a community of twenty thousand people, with a budget of half a billion euros a year, can be quite a bit of pressure," he says.
"There were also emotional moments. I still remember it vividly, as it left a deep impression on me - when our students Axel Verstegen and Boris Bakker passed away during a winter sports trip with their student association. I was one of the people who waited on the parents of the deceased students and for the bus with the other students who returned to campus in the morning. That's not something you easily shake off."
Plenty to do
Anyone who thinks Smits will work out quietly does not know him. "We have achieved great things, but there are still plenty of projects from the current Institutional Plan. I hope we can finish a few things from that."
Smits will remain active even after his 67th birthday and departure from TU/e. For example, he became chairman of the Supervisory Board of Naturalis. In addition, Smits will remain as a member of the committee of the National Growth Fund. He is on the Advisory Board of the Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation, and he has been asked to review Iceland's research innovation policy.
Different role
"I have more than enough to focus on. But I no longer want to be responsible for a large group of people and a lot of money; I have done that for forty years. It's time to play a different role."
Although Smits believes that 'gone is gone,' he will certainly visit TU/e in the future. "I will be back for the celebration of MomenTUm. And I aim to visit Studium Generale activities and films more often. The cinema in the Zwarte Doos has just been renovated with a larger screen and better sound, and they have a good film program."
He laughs at the comment that he then belongs to the group of retirees who continue to attend SG activities. "Although I don't feel like someone who is retiring at all. It's like in Peter Koelewijn's song: 'Je wordt ouder papa, geef het maar toe' [You're getting older dad, just admit it, ed.]."
In conclusion
"I hope that over the past six years, I've been able to help everyone progress. I'd also like to encourage our community to stay on the path we've set and continue supporting each other so we remain the tight-knit community we are."
