Inge Grimm’s first 100 days at Saxion ‘I made a conscious choice to come to Saxion, so I could give it my all’

We meet on a beautiful autumn day, with the low-lying sun casting the Deventer skyline in a golden glow, but with the biting-chill of an autumn wind. A time of transition between seasons, one which seems to be accompanied by a cautious sense of symbolism. For the conversation with Inge Grimm will also be delving into the difficulties and delights of the times Saxion is now going through. She is open and realistic about it, with a great sense of commitment. First, we look back at her start at our university of applied sciences: “I arrived in June, when everyone was in the last dash before the summer holidays. What I saw then made me very happy. I thought: ‘Yes, this is precisely why I want to work for this knowledge institution.’ At Saxion I see that magnificent focus on living technology: first people and then technology, which in turn is there to serve them. Plus, of course, other fields, such as healthcare and education. I see so many driven professionals, committed to wonderful and good education and to research that counts! Saxion is highly-motivated and keeps on going, I concluded.”

World of difference

After the summer, things continued at full speed, with the INTRO and the Opening of the Academic Year, she recalls. She thought it was great to get so much out of the INTRO in her new role. “All those partying students, on the threshold of a new study, a new phase in their lives. It was such a nice atmosphere. In Enschede I was at the INTRO party in the Volkspark and in Deventer I met the new students in the Deventer Schouwburg theatre. I also took time to speak to them albeit briefly, while I was there: ‘Enjoy your new study, but promise me that you will also seek help if a time comes when things go wrong, or if you no longer know what to do. Talk to someone close to you. But also know you can come to us at Saxion: a lecturer, a student counsellor or psychologist. There is nothing wrong in asking for help.’ I hope that message sticks somewhere. Because that’s the kind of applied university we want to be. There are setbacks in every life, they can also happen when you are studying. You don’t have to pretend to be tougher than you are. Sometimes a few conversations can make a world of difference.”

Unique character

In the meantime, Inge has become fully acquainted with Saxion’s different locations, departments and research groups. "For me, it takes some getting used to that we are spread across three locations: Apeldoorn, Deventer and Enschede. I clearly see one cohesive university of applied sciences, but I also see that each campus has its own unique character. Ideally, I would like to be everywhere at once. This also applies, for example, to the research groups, a few of which I have already been able to visit. I’d also gladly clear my schedule for this, to see everything in a short time and speak to as many people as possible. I need to make more time for this, to ensure I meet all the teaching teams as well. That’s something I really want to do. We will certainly talk. About what is going well or can be improved. I greatly appreciate that direct, personal contact. Our organisation is full of dedicated staff who give their all. They support our students day in and day out. As do colleagues, for example, from the Education and Student Support Service and Marketing and Communication Department, who put so much energy into that successful INTRO. Together with all colleagues, they show: ‘This is what we stand for, this is Saxion.’ I think that's a great feat, especially in the complex times we live in, with cutbacks in higher education and social unrest. I have great respect for that.”

Connection

In light of the complex times we’re experiencing, the societal landscape in which Saxion operates has changed fundamentally compared to five years ago, says Inge. “Saxion is a community in its own right, and as such, it also mirrors the diversity and complexity of society. What happens outside the walls of our university of applied sciences, in terms of discussion and debate, also finds its way into the workplace and classroom. This is a good thing, because I’m someone who values dialogue. There is room here for having different perspectives, as we experienced during the Opening of the Academic Year, which we organised together with the University of Twente to celebrate Enschede’s 700th anniversary. At the same time, I also realise that in my role as President of the Executive Board, I can't please everyone. However, there is - and will always be - room for dialogue and exchanging ideas. And I know what these times demand of lecturers in the classroom, from team members also committed to open dialogue. It’s important to engage in respectful dialogue and focus on what unites us as a university of applied sciences: our valuable research and high-quality education.”

Difficult message

Cutbacks. The word had already come up - and now once more, when Inge is asked what has touched her personally during her first months at Saxion: “What touches me, of course, is that Saxion has to make significant cutbacks. Higher education is being hit twice: student numbers are declining, as is national funding. This development has severe consequences nationally and therefore also for Saxion. To this end a difficult message had to be shared at the start of the academic year: that temporary contracts could not be converted into permanent positions. It also applies to people who roll up their sleeves here every day and have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to our university in recent times. I have spoken to a number of them and that touches me of course. You’d rather avoid having to make these kinds of decisions. And even though employees may understand why it’s necessary, at the end of the day, everyone wants to feel in control of their own life and career. A message like that makes you feel like you've lost control for a moment and that you need to change tack. That you think: what should I do now? I fully understand the impact this has.

Effectiveness

According to Inge, the recently announced adjustment to the organisational structure, which involves merging schools and services into larger units, is a necessary step. Saxion enjoys a strong reputation both regionally and nationally, and is internationally renowned in a number of specific fields.  There are strong external collaborative partnerships with regard to education and research. These developments call for adjustments to the internal organisation, Inge explains. “In order to maintain our effectiveness in the future, we must move towards a more compact organisational model. I think it is quite early in my own presidency to have to make these decisions, but these developments are happening now and I fully support that they need to take place. So we take this responsibility as Executive Board, as I do too, in my role. Of course while taking account of all the necessary steps in this process, which also require a great deal of care. But it is also important to provide clarity. I fully understand the concerns. Clarity brings calm and enables us to prioritise and focus on outstanding education and world-class research. Both of which are firmly connected here at Saxion. Strengthening these priorities requires us to evolve into larger organisational units, with each having sound internal support. This enables Saxion to remain the strong university of applied sciences, or rather knowledge institution, that we are for our regions, And also beyond.”

Cyber security

Of course, the cutbacks are a priority in the coming period, but according to Inge it is also important to draw more attention to the “strong ties between Saxion and the outside world,” as she puts it. These go far beyond Saxion’s regional and national role in education and research projects. “Our research has an impressive track record, reaching as far as Vietnam. When I look closer to home, in Apeldoorn for example, I also see what we have managed to achieve there with our partners. For example, at the Centre for Security and Digitalisation and associated research in the field of Cyber Security, by our professor Remco Spithoven. Our ambitions in Apeldoorn require realism, but that still means we want to move forward there in the coming years, with education and research. With the right focus, we can also experience good qualitative growth there.”

Critical and proud

It was a busy and intensive start, Inge concludes. “But it's also what I want to commit to, do my best for. It was my own choice to come and put my shoulder to the wheel here at Saxion. This means I want to see both the delights and the difficulties. As a university of applied sciences, we have a very strong position. It is now important not to shy away from difficult decisions, so we can safeguard that position for the future and build on it together. Let’s preserve and perpetuate what is good, but also continue to build on the future of Saxion. We owe this to our students, staff and of course all partners we work with. Or, as our Saxion slogan says: ‘Be Unique. Let’s grow together.’

Inge believes it is important to stay focused and remain proud of what we have achieved, she emphasises at the end of our conversation. “With everyone at Saxion we make it happen every single day. Through education, research and – not to forget – all colleagues working in support. I even sense this pride when I’m walking down the corridors here. We do it for the students, and I hope that they remain critical and proud of Saxion. And that they continue in the coming years, to feel most welcome to take a step towards their future here.” 

Photography: Thomas Busschers

Translation: Graeme Cunningham and Diane Huibers-Ritchie