The Education Support pillar is a column with approximately 375 FTEs, making it the largest pillar within the operational management. This column offers a wide range of activities and services.
Future-proof structure
The world is changing rapidly: geopolitical developments, economic uncertainties and social developments are putting us to the test. If Radboud University wants to continue to excel in education and research, it is necessary to set up educational support for the future. This structure must be in line with the university's new strategy, the operational management model, and the reports of the task force on educational organisation and educational innovation. This also means that budgets are needed to keep the university financially healthy. In January 2026, the Executive Board determined that, by the end of 2029 at the latest, €3.6 million in structural savings must be achieved in the OWO column compared to the realisation at the end of 2024.
Planning current phase
Preparation (January-February 2026)
During this period, the final assignment will be formulated and the project team will be assembled.
Start-up phase (March-April 2026)
First, a draft service catalogue will be developed. This catalogue will include a “menu” of services from the educational support column. At the same time, the hypotheses will be reassessed:
- identifying what OWO is already working on;
- identifying what is easy to achieve;
- preconditions and clustering of different hypotheses;
- reviewing existing hypotheses in light of the strategy;
- identifying differences between the draft service catalogue and current practice.
Data collection and assessment I (May-early July 2026)
The delivered draft service catalogue and the reassessed hypotheses will be tested during this period and the differences between the current and desired situations will be mapped out (the so-called “deep dive”). This will be done in expert groups of employees and through panel discussions with stakeholders (students, lecturers, employee participation bodies).
Data collection and assessment II (July-August 2026)
The summer period will be used to address outstanding issues and refine the service catalogue. This refined catalogue will reflect the desired structure of educational support.
Drafting of final report (September-October 2026)
The desired structure of educational support is known and will be elaborated in a final report, including a definitive proposal for the service catalogue. This final report will then be submitted to various bodies for approval (from November 2026).