14 July 2022 — On 11 July, Professor Wim van de Donk, former Commissioner of the King in North Brabant, and now both Rector Magnificus and Chairman of the Executive Board of Tilburg University, spoke to a group of young people about his social career and the role his personal beliefs played in it.

The young, participants of the young professionals program of Socires and Stichting Thomas More, Professor Van de Donk asked about his experiences as a director and the special double role he has as chairman of the Executive Board and rector magnificus of a Catholic university, at a time when identity seems to play more and more a role in the background. What followed was a special insight into the practical and ideal side of the board of a special institution like Tilburg University.

"Professor Van de Donk says, decisively, is the human image on which policy is based. This is the model for the establishment and task of institutions and society as a whole. He told how, from his Catholic conviction, the relational image of man acts as his guide; People flourish in the relationships they have to others. He's carrying this out, and that's how he wants the university to be set up. This is reflected, inter alia, in the language used. According to him, the uni is not an organization, but a community. Also in concrete decision-making the driver tries to pay attention to the individual person. For example, Tilburg University, with its Catholic signature, must offer an inclusive environment.

The young professionals program continues in September with a conversation with Jan Peter Balkenende. For more information, also on the next cycle starting on 21 October, see: https://www.thomasmore.nl/net-graduates/young-professionals-program/