Maastricht University (UM) official announcement

Professor Martin Paul appointed as President of the Executive Board
The Supervisory Board of Maastricht University (UM) is pleased to announce that professor Martin Paul has been appointed as President of Maastricht University’s Executive Board.

The appointment is effective 1 May 2011 and will last for four years, with an optional second term of another four years. Professor Martin Paul succeeds dr Jo Ritzen, who retired on 1 February after two full terms of office.

The Supervisory Board is delighted that Martin Paul responded positively to its request to assume the Presidency. "Martin Paul is an experienced academic leader, and very capable with regard to strategic development of research and education. He is very committed to colleagues and students and has significant experience in international and national collaborative projects," says Ad Veenhof, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

His appointment has wide support from all the various departments of the university. Martin Paul adds: "I feel extremely honoured to be offered this position and appreciate the trust of the Supervisory Board in my capabilities. Once again UM has proven its international character by nominating the first foreigner as president of a Dutch university." 

For the past three years, professor Paul has been the Dean of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University and a member of Maastricht University Medical Centre+’s Board. Before that, he was the Dean, and an Executive Board member, of the Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, one of Europe's largest University Medical Centres, with an excellent international reputation.

Since his appointment to Maastricht University, he has been very active in expanding and reinforcing Maastricht UMC+ and biomedical knowledge valorisation, the most striking examples of which are the Maastricht Health Campus and the Chemelot Campus in Sittard-Geleen.