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The Chair of the Executive Board, Heleen Jumelet, leaves HKU

  • 01 mei 2025
The Supervisory Board of HKU announces the departure of Heleen Jumelet, Chair of the Executive Board, effective August 1. She is making way for a new team of executives who, together with the employees, will energetically take on the implementation agenda of the HKU Long-Term Strategy Plan 2030, subtitled For The Arts! and the challenges of the years ahead.
The Chair of the Executive Board, Heleen Jumelet, leaves HKU
The Supervisory Board of HKU expresses its gratitude to Heleen Jumelet for her dedication, strategic vision, and the results achieved during her board term. In the coming months, Heleen will work closely with Judith Meijer, the interim executive who will replace Edwin Jacobs as of May 6. The Supervisory Board will soon begin the search for a new Chair and an additional member of the Executive Board.

Now that the new HKU Strategy Plan has been launched, HKU is in an excellent organizational position, and Heleen is still overseeing the development of the implementation agenda for the strategy, the start of the new academic year marks a fitting moment for her departure. Following the summer, Heleen has chosen to take a short sabbatical to fully recover after her surgery and period of convalescence, after which she plans to apply her experience and insights elsewhere.

Heleen Jumelet: “HKU is ready for its next phase. I am confident that, especially in the challenging times ahead, HKU’s foundation is strong enough to continue fulfilling its mission. It is the staff and students who, day in and day out, bring the quality of arts education and research to life. As a board member, it has been a privilege to support and facilitate this. I, too, am entering a new chapter, but I will deeply miss the students, the colleagues, and the collaborative work around the reflection, beauty, innovation, and solace of arts education and artistic research. Especially now, as the cornerstones of a resilient society and democracy are under pressure, the proper education of artists, art educators, and makers is more essential than ever. For the arts and for one another: that is HKU!”

Gabriëlle Kuiper, Director of Research, Education, and Innovation: “Under Heleen’s committed leadership, HKU has chosen a clear direction focused on preparing our students for a professional career as impactful creators in society. Creative technology and entrepreneurship have been structurally embedded in our educational offerings. With initiative and vision, Heleen has fostered collaboration between academies and support services to jointly realize our mission. This has firmly positioned HKU within higher arts education and laid the groundwork for continuing this course together.”