Prof. Victor Bekkers, Dean of Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), has appointed Dr. Gera Noordzij as Director of Education and Director of Erasmus University College (EUC). She succeeds interim-dean Prof. Semiha Denktaş. Her experience and reputation within EUC made her an obvious candidate for the role.
Victor Bekkers: “I’m delighted to appoint Dr Noordzij to this role. Gera has already demonstrated the commitment, skills, and expertise to lead, strengthen and enrich EUC during her association with EUC from its start. Gera has contributed greatly to the innovative teaching and engagement beyond the college, which are key parts of the unique role EUC can play in connecting Erasmus University Rotterdam to the city, its citizens, and the city council. Gera’s appointment as Director of EUC will also help strengthen the connections and collaborations between EUC and ESSB and enable EUC to build and make plans for the future.
Gera Noordzij: “I am excited to take on the responsibility for EUC as it is about to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. The combination of enthusiastic, specialist teaching staff and committed students makes it a wonderful place to work and a very special part of EUR. Teaching students through engagement with real-life problems and providing a multidisciplinary broad-based education seems more vital than ever.”
Dean Victor Bekkers expresses his appreciation for Professor Semiha Denktaş’ work as interim dean, especially her efforts and commitment to the well-being of employees and students.
About Gera Noordzij
Dr. Gera Noordzij started her academic career in 2002 at the EUR after 25 years of working as a manager and nurse in healthcare. She obtained her master’s degree in Work & Organisational and Clinical Psychology in 2006 and her PhD in 2013 at EUR. Her research focuses on self-regulation and learning. Within this field, she studies different self-regulatory factors influencing motivation and performance in work, health, and education. She believes that her research should have an impact on society, including the way how we should organize our education.
In 2013 she was asked by the former rector of EUR, Prof. Henk Schmidt to play a role in the founding of EUC by co-developing the EUC curriculum. Later, she took up the role of Head of Department, and for the last two years, she has been EUC's Educational Director.
About Erasmus University College
Erasmus University College was founded in 2013 and provides a three-year English language bachelor programme in Liberal Arts & Sciences. A key component of a Liberal Arts & Sciences curriculum is that it aims to provide a broad general knowledge and development of students' academic skills and intellectual capacities. It also allows for the opportunity to specialize in one particular field of study, termed a Major, with the possibility of supporting that with another field, termed a Minor. Another characteristic of Liberal Arts & Sciences, including at EUC, is the close involvement of staff in students' personal and academic development. Education is also small-scale and connected; most study groups are smaller than 15 students, and first-year students are required to live together in dedicated student accommodation in the city centre.
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Marjolein Kooistra, Communications ESSB, kooistra@essb.eur.nl, +31 6 83676038