Saskia Lavrijssen, Bert van den Brink en José Sanders

The Commercialization of the University | Academic Affairs with rector magnificus José Sanders, dean PTRS Bert van den Brink and dean of NSM Saskia Lavrijssen

17 June 2026 Report

Is the university becoming too business-oriented? In recent weeks, a discussion has flared up about the supposedly corporate way in which the university is being governed. Is a focus on money crowding out the university’s core values? Rector magnificus José Sanders, PTRS dean Bert van den Brink, and NSM dean Saskia Lavrijssen engaged in a discussion with each other and with participants about the direction of the university.

Wednesday 17 June 2026 | 12:30 - 13:15 hrs | Maria Montessorigebouw, MM 00.025.

Quotes

Rector Magnificus José Sanders tijdens een Academic Affairs bij Radboud Reflects over de verzakelijking van de universiteit

I am here because I want to act on the signals I have picked up about the dissatisfaction at the university. I want to engage in dialogue and think about how we move forward together. And how we continue to do what Radboud University already does well: education and research. That is what I stand for. _{^{Rector Magnificus José Sanders}}

Decaan FFTR Bert van den Brink tijdens een Academic Affairs over de verzakelijking van de universiteit

In my view, it is a good thing that the university is becoming more business-oriented, as long as we first have a clear vision of where we want to go together. From such a clear vision, becoming more business-like means reflecting on what the right structure is and what appropriate ways there are to move toward our goals. _{^{PTRS dean Bert van den Brink}}

I am certainly willing to acknowledge that mistakes have been made. When I look back at how the strategy was developed, I think some things could have been done more cautiously. But there is a middle ground between thinking “that could have been done differently” and reacting in blind panic about the consequences. That middle ground is to reflect on what we can do differently now, so that we can learn from what did not go well._{^{Rector magnificus José Sanders}}

Contact information

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Contact: M.J.H. Verbeek (Marie-José)
Organizational unit: Radboud Reflects
Theme: Philosophy, Society, Science