Han de Winde steps down as vice-dean of Faculty of Science
Han de Winde will step down as a member of the faculty board of the Faculty of Science from 1 September 2018. De Winde had been vice–dean at the faculty since 2013. As director of education he was responsible for the bachelor's and master's programmes at the faculty.
Increasing student numbers and educational innovations
De Winde saw the influx of students tripling during his term as vice-dean: from about 480 students in 2013 to over 1,200 applicants for the academic year 2018 - 2019. An important theme within his portfolio was educational innovation in the broadest sense. He faced the challenge of maintaining the quality of education while student numbers were increasing rapidly. ICT in education and the various forms of activating education were important themes, and will continue to be so for De Winde's successor. De Winde also played a major role in the development of the new International Bachelor of Bio Science programme.
Next steps
De Winde will remain affiliated with the faculty as professor of Industrial molecular biotechnology at the Institute of Biology Leiden, where he will engage in research and education. Also at university level De Winde will remain active, among other things as chairman of the steering group that will supervise the implementation of the new learning management system Brightspace, the successor of Blackboard.
Interim vice-dean
Bart de Smit has been appointed as interim vice-dean and portfolio holder for education at the Faculty of Science for two days per week, starting on 1 September and for a period of four months. De Smit will also continue to perform his duties as professor of Algebra and number theory and director of education for Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute. Janneke Kuijken has been appointed as temporary director of education and will assist De Smit with faculty-wide education issues.