New Rector Magnificus Erasmus University

The Supervisory Board of Erasmus University Rotterdam is pleased to announce that it has appointed Professor Dr H.A.P (Huibert) Pols as rector magnificus.

On 8 November 2013 he will succeed Professor Dr H.G. (Henk) Schmidt who will be retiring. Pols is currently dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FGG) and vice-president of the Executive Board of Erasmus MC.

Huibert Pols enjoys national and international renown as a researcher and administrator in internal medicine. Drs. Anton van Rossum, chairman of the Supervisory Board: "Huibert Pols is not only a highly respected scientist, but also an executive with a lot of  experience. He will be a rector magnificus who is more than capable of implementing the new strategy of Erasmus University that is currently being developed. I am therefore pleased that he is willing to take up this appointment.”

The Supervisory Board made the appointment after consulting the confidential committee of the University Council, members of the Executive Board, the deans and other managers of the university. The response to the nomination was unanimously positive.

Pols is appointed for a four-year term. As rector magnificus he will focus primarily on teaching and research, students and science information. In the coming months Pols will be dealing with the arrangements for his replacement at Erasmus MC. “I am looking forward to working on further strengthening the position of Erasmus University, together with the other members of the Executive Board. There are great challenges ahead, including strengthening  cooperation among the faculties, strengthening excellence groups and the further internationalization of Erasmus University, in particular in education.”

About Huibert Pols

Professor Dr Huibert Pols (1952) was trained as a doctor at Erasmus University. He took his medical finals in 1977 and was awarded his doctorate in 1988. The professor of Internal medicine has worked at Erasmus MC since 1983. In 2000 he became departmental head of internal medicine. In that position he has contributed, among other things, to the introduction of problem-solving teaching in medical training. Since 1 October 2006 Pols has been dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FGG) and vice-president of the Executive Board of Erasmus MC.

Huibert Pols is married and has two sons.

Professor Dr Henk Schmidt (1947) has been rector magnificus of Erasmus University since 1 September 2009. Schmidt will retire on 8 November 2013, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Erasmus University. The university will be celebrating its centennial in the 2013-2014 academic year.