In addition to facts, figures and of course the financial statements (Dutch only), the annual report also outlines the progress already achieved, the highs and lows and the wellbeing of students and staff.
Engaged with each other
Although 2022 started with yet another lockdown, throughout the year the university was able to give more and more substance to the theme of ‘freedom’. At the opening of the 2022-2023 academic year, everyone was able to attend on-campus once again, to the relief of many. However, the pandemic had a lot of impact on both students and staff. As a result, extra attention has been paid to their mental health over the past year through a range of initiatives and by advocating for equal opportunities for all and for a safe environment. For instance, the Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was launched and the Vision on Recognition and Rewards was finalised. The student-staff ratio has also decreased over the past year and support for students has been expanded. The university’s educational vision states that interaction among students and between students and lecturers is essential for the learning process. But not only for that reason— after all, education is about more than just study credits.
Read more about what the university is doing to ensure that students and staff feel good about themselves and at home here.
Heart of the university
The faculties form the heart of Radboud University. How did staff members and students experience 2022? From the highs and lows, the consequences of Covid-19 and the choice for in-person education to research results, impact and visibility, members of each faculty reflect on the year. José Sanders, appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Arts in 2022, mentions the Languages Week (Week van de Talen) held in May as a high point. “In the context of this week, we organised Nijmegen Language Capital (Nijmegen Taalhoofdstad) to show everyone how important languages and culture are. For us, but also more broadly for the entire university. During that week, an Honorary Doctorate was awarded to the writer Adriaan van Dis for his achievements in multilingualism, interculturalism and tolerance. He gave an acceptance speech on the importance of understanding each other's language and culture, which made a big impression.”
Read the full interview with José Sanders from the Faculty of Arts here.
Other reflections per faculty:
- Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
- Faculy of Arts
- Nijmegen School of Management
- Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Progress achieved
The Executive Board is positive about the progress that has been achieved in the past year. “For instance, weaving sustainability issues into the curricula of all study programmes has been energetically taken up and we have signed collaboration agreements with parties including Maastricht University, regional schools, the Municipality of Nijmegen and Alliander,” says President Daniël Wigboldus. “By doing so, we encourage interdisciplinary research. We also do that in other ways. We have been assigned several large growth fund projects, and major grants have been awarded to Radboud researchers across the spectrum of sciences.” Wigboldus also finds positive aspects in the revaluation of the campus. “Before the pandemic, everyone was like a fish in water on campus, unaware of how important that water actually was. Now we have experienced what it feels like to miss it, and we are more aware of the importance of togetherness and chance encounters.”
Read the full interview with the Executive Board here.