Candidate Board of Directors University of Antwerp
Thank you for your support!!! I have been re-elected to represent the AAP/BAP in the Board of Directors. I will continue to work with VABAP and all other stakeholders towards a better university. If you have any remarks, feel free to contact me!
Dear colleague,
Over the last years, the University of Antwerp has shown steady growth in number of students and research output. As largest group in the University’s work force, we, the researchers and educators in the assistant/supernumerary academic (AAP/BAP) statute, play a key role in enabling this growth. However, different surveys have shown that this growth comes at a cost: stress levels within AAP/BAP staff group are high.
During my term as representative of the AAP/BAP in the board of directors, I have worked closely with VABAP (the Association of Assistant and Supernumerary Academic Staff) to bring attention to factors that influence the work quality of AAP/BAP personnel. Together with different key players within the University, we are working at ways to take away barriers for a successful career at the University of Antwerp.
For instance, a survey among international PhD candidates, demonstrating the lack of clear information for these PhD candidates, has led to the creation of the “Practical guide for International PhD students”.
In addition, I have been involved in the different initiatives to establish a middle level of educators and researchers. A framework for educational and research middle levels positions has now been approved. The creation of “fall-back” grants for FWO postdoctoral fellowships has allowed talented researchers to strengthen their postdoc project and re-apply successfully.
Recently, I have been heavily involved in the reform of the rectoral elections. From now on, every member of AAP/BAP will be able to directly vote for our next rector, without the middle man of the electors. Hence, you will have a direct say in who will lead our University into the future!
Of course, there is still much work to be done. Hence, I would like to ask for you vote to renew my mandate as representative of the AAP/BAP in the board of directors of the University of Antwerp.
Subjects I would focus on include:
- A single point of contact for all PhD-related questions at the start, during and at the end of your PhD to reduce the administrative burden and free up time for research of both PhD candidates and post-docs
- The upcoming reform of the AAP/BAP statute, which should lead to a clearer definition of the position of our large staff group within the University
- More funding for the establishment of research and educational middle level.
Of course, I remain available for all your comments and questions regarding the policy of the University of Antwerp.
With your vote, I hope to continue working on a better University of Antwerp, not only for AAP/BAP, but for all stakeholders!
With kind regards,
Timon.