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29 March 2024

Campus
& Culture

Mirjam van Praag steps down as President in September 2023

Mirjam van Praag will stop as president of the Executive Board as of September 2023. She wants to spend more time on her private life, science and entrepreneurship, says a message on the VU-website.

Van Praag’s decision is striking, as she started her second term as President in March of this year. During the opening of the academic year last September, Van Praag predicted that ‘loneliness at the top’ would come to an end: That top will even disappear completely, for leadership will be placed at the heart of the organisation.

Van Praag explains her decision on the VU website: ‘I fulfil this beautiful position at our wonderful university with great ambition, pride, enthusiasm and energy. Every day I am grateful for the collaboration and connection in our VU Amsterdam community, because every day I also speak to colleagues or students from whom I learn a lot and of whom I am proud. All this requires a 200% commitment and with that commitment and dedication I will continue for another year. After that, I would like to devote more time to my private life, to science and entrepreneurship’.

‘Turbulent times’

Ron Teerlink, chairman of the Supervisory Board, says the following about Van Praag: ‘Mirjam has impressively led developments important to VU Amsterdam in sometimes turbulent times. She will continue to do so in the coming year. Although we would have liked to benefit from her leadership for longer, we obviously respect her decision.’

Van Praag has been President of VU Amsterdam since March 2018, when she succeeded Jaap Winter. From September 2023, she will start working as professor of Entrepreneurship & Society at VU Amsterdam School of Business and Economics. The Supervisory Board is meanwhile looking for a successor.

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