To bring research and education more in line with social issues such as digitalisation and energy transition, TU/e is considering adjusting the current structure with faculties. A 'Governance' working group is investigating what 'is the best organisational structure to make our university future-proof'.
The current structure with classical faculties such as mechanical engineering, architecture, electrical engineering and physics is not ideal. To develop technology for energy transition, for example, knowledge in many fields plays an important role. In a message on the intranet, the university expresses the expectation that 'fewer units' will make the organisation 'clearer and easier in terms of mutual coordination'. 'For example, decision-making is clearer, research lines are better delineated, young researchers can find their way more easily and there is more equality.'
Reorganising the university organisation sounds like a major operation. But Edwin van den Heuvel, dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science and chair of the working group, says in the message: 'What I want is to bring about as many changes as possible with as little effort as possible.'
If fewer but larger faculties are created, 'this in turn gives other opportunities to involve the departments better in the primary processes.' A new organisation should reduce the distance between the larger faculties and the services. What that will look like is not yet clear.
Impact on institutes
The working group is also looking at what a new organisation will mean for the 'top structure'. At least as important is the impact on the institutes, which were created precisely to provide better answers to social issues.
Because it is a substantial intervention in the organisation and affects the daily work of many staff and students, information sessions will be organised on 7 March, both in Dutch and English. You can register here.
The outcome is by no means fixed. 'There are many different opinions on this subject, also within the working group. That certainly makes it difficult,' Van den Heuvel said on the intranet.
In April, the Executive Board will organise strategy days, where Governance will have a prominent place on the agenda. Before the summer, the working group will deliver a report with recommendations to the board. After that, the working group will be disbanded and the Executive Board will have to decide on the follow-up path.
Source:Cursor News
Photo: Bart van Overbeeke
