In all business operations pillars, we are investigating how to make services more efficient and what savings can be achieved as a result. This is done in a systematic way by drawing up and assessing savings hypotheses, a process known as a deep dive. Saving means more than simply balancing income and expenditure. It also calls for better and more efficient collaboration. We are therefore working on a renewed business operations model, with clear services, clear roles, and uniform processes wherever possible.
Marcel Wintels, Vice President of Radboud University: “Many colleagues ask me whether the cuts are still necessary given the new coalition agreement. Unfortunately, the answer to that is: yes, we need to continue saving as much as ever. On the one hand because of the expected decrease in student numbers and increase in costs, and on the other hand because we need to free up more resources for education and research. But of course, as a university, you always have to look at how to spend your public funds – which are mainly intended for teaching, research, and impact – as efficiently as possible. We understand that this affects our staff. That is why we are trying to clarify as soon as possible for all pillars what this means for individual employees.”
Update by business operations pillar
We are working hard within each pillar: formulating hypotheses, assessing hypotheses in a deep dive, preparing implementation, and implementing measures. You can read more about what exactly is happening in these phases on the programme's project page. Pillars differ in the timing and tempo with which they move through these phases. Below is a brief update on the individual pillars, with a link to the project page where you can find the latest status.
Finance & Control (FC)
In recent months, a lot of time and energy has gone into the deep dive. The savings initiatives have been developed into a final report, which was delivered in early December and discussed by the Executive Board. The savings initiatives primarily focus on bundling, automating, and optimising processes and systems. You can read more about the savings initiatives on the project page. There is also a separate track for achieving savings through stricter procurement and better contract management.
For more information, see the project page
Housing & Facilities (HF)
In autumn 2025, several project groups worked on translating the various savings initiatives into concrete savings proposals. The H&F core team is coordinating the elaboration and a number of measures are already under way, such as the cleaning services and the ‘Opening hours in line with usage’ pilot. For other savings measures, further research is needed and concrete proposals are being prepared. A decision is expected to follow later this spring. You can see an overview of the savings measures on the project page.
For more information, see the project page
Human Resources (HR)
The HR pillar has taken the first step towards the new HR organisation. In 2025, the HR pillar went through the deep dive, and the proposed savings initiatives are currently being phased in. In early February, the Executive Board took a final decision to organise operational HR tasks (such as changes to contracts) in a bundled way. The Works Council is involved and asked for their input at each stage.
For more information, see the project page
ICT & Library Services (I pillar)
Following the completion of the deep dive in 2025, several projects were launched to organise the I pillar more efficiently and implement improvements. With the development of the I strategy, the pillar's course is set. This course and a thorough analysis of the I pillar form the basis for an improvement and reorganisation plan. In addition, some savings measures within the pillar are already being implemented, such as increasing self-service options for ICT queries. The improvement plan, the reorganisation plan and the other savings initiatives are currently in the decision-making process. A decision is expected to follow in spring 2026. You can find an overview of ongoing projects on the project page.
For more information, see the project page
Marketing & Communications (M&C)
The deep dive was completed in autumn 2025 and savings initiatives were shared with the pillar's staff. The ‘Saving through bundling and uniform cooperation’ initiative was developed into an improvement plan and submitted to the steering committee in January. The other initiatives (such as saving on student staff and material budget) are more concrete, and have been developed into project maps. They have been established and are already being implemented.
For more information, see the project page
Education Support (Owo)
The savings target in the Education Support pillar will be further shaped and developed in the coming months. The approach and organisation of the deep dive is currently the main focus of attention. Once this approach and the governance structure are elaborated, savings hypotheses can be assessed. Two meetings are planned in late February during which employees will be provided with further information.
For more information, see the project page
Research Support (Ozo)
The Research Support pillar has started drafting savings hypotheses. At the moment, consistency with the new strategy is being further analysed to determine whether projects and initiatives can be bundled and organised jointly.
For more information, see the project page
General Affairs (AZ)
The AZ pillar organised its first staff meeting in December. Prior to this meeting, hypotheses were drawn up for three sub-areas within the pillar. These will be assessed by three different project groups in the coming weeks. The results are expected in early April.
For more information, see the project page
Do you have any questions?
Do you have questions about the programme or do you have ideas that contribute to the objective of the Savings Operations programme? If so, please contact us at besparingsprogramma [at] ru.nl (besparingsprogramma[at]ru[dot]nl).