Prof. Caspar van den Berg new president of the Universities of the Netherlands (UNL)

Prof. Caspar van den Berg has been appointed as president of UNL, which unites the fourteen universities of the Netherlands. Van den Berg succeeds interim-president prof. Jouke de Vries as of June 1. The position of UNL president became vacant following the departure of Pieter Duisenberg.

Van den Berg has been professor of Global and Local Governance at the Faculty of Campus Fryslân of the RUG since 2017. He has been interim dean of the same faculty since February 2023. The procedure for his succession as dean is expected to be completed shortly.

Caspar van den Berg will remain at the faculty in Leeuwarden as an honorary professor.

Caspar van den Berg on his move to UNL: ‘With great pleasure I have worked at the RUG Campus Fryslân for the past seven years. Campus Fryslân is a unique faculty that makes a great contribution to the scientific education and research of the RUG, but also to the tasks of the Fryslân region. In this, Campus Fryslân is a pioneer for other faculties and universities. At the same time, I am very happy with my new role.’

Jouke de Vries, president of the University of Groningen, on the appointment: ‘As interim president of UNL, I am extremely pleased that we have found a new president. Caspar has made a great contribution to the University of Groningen and Campus Fryslân. With his experience and view on the future he can represent the interests of Dutch universities well.’

Caspar van den Berg: ‘UNL stands for the entire university sector of the Netherlands, a sector that is invaluable for our society and for the future. It is of great importance that the Netherlands remain a  knowledge society at the highest level and I want to make an effort for that in the coming years. I am certainly going to miss Campus Fryslân and Fryslân, and I am glad that as an honorary professor I can nevertheless remain connected to the faculty and the region.’