Koen Goethals, president of HOGENT, takes over the chairmanship of the U!REKA Steering Committee from Riitta Konkola of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences for the next two years.
We asked him about the importance of this chairmanship and the focus he intends to set. "First and foremost, the coordination of the U!REKA European University remains with our Finnish partner Metropolia. U!REKA has a clear project structure with various work packages that we have to report on to the European Commission, so it is certainly not my intention as chair to suddenly implement any changes of course. That is not within my mandate at all," explains Koen Goethals.
However, it is up to the chair of the Steering Committee to “keep things together” and ensure that work is carried out with sufficient speed and efficiency. Although things are going quite well in that respect, Koen Goethals emphasises: “We are on track with many of the work packages. At most, a few minor adjustments are needed here and there.”
The chairperson can play an important role in attracting new partners and in profiling U!REKA. "As chairperson, I want to highlight the position of universities of applied sciences in the international higher education landscape. Universities of applied sciences play a complementary role to universities, also internationally. They are not the smaller counterparts of universities, but equals, with their own specific characteristics. Universities of applied sciences can make a difference in Europe because they are more flexible and agile when it comes to responding quickly to the needs of the labour market, for example," says Koen Goethals, adding that he is working with the rectors of the U!REKA partners on a joint statement in this regard, which will be distributed shortly.