Ombuds Officer now a permanent position at the UT

11 / 11 / 2021 | Redactie

After a two-year pilot, the UT has decided to make the post of Ombuds Officer a permanent position. The appointment of the current ombudsperson Han Warmelink has been extended by four years until 2025.

Photo by: RIKKERT HARINK

UT ombudsperson Han Warmelink

The position of an Ombuds Officer was introduced at the University of Twente in 2019 as part of the Ombuds pilot project, that aims to create a safer working and learning environment at universities. Han Warmelink has served as the UT’s first ever ombudsperson. After a successful evaluation of the two-year pilot, he will remain in the post for another four years until October 2025.

Read also: Interview with new ombudsperson Han Warmelink ‘I’m not a judge, I’m a mediator’

The Ombuds Officer is an impartial and independent negotiating partner who is approachable for those who work and study at the University of Twente. The now permanent position complements the current confidential counsellors, complaints committee, student psychologists, study advisors and the student counsellor. All UT employees and students can turn to the Ombuds Officer to report problematic situations related to working or studying at the university.

Recommended

‘Het besef dat klachten hier thuishoren, duidt op volwassenheid’

Ombudsman Han Warmelink is in zijn jaarverslag positief over de zelfreflectie die de HR-afdeling toonde en constateert dat de UT minder paniekerig omgaat met conflicten. Daarentegen zijn er wel zorgen over de kwetsbare positie van bepaalde PhD’s.

'Being aware that complaints belong here is a sign of maturity'

Ombuds officer Han Warmelink's annual report is positive about the self-reflection shown by the HR department and notes that the UT is handling conflicts less 'panicky'. However, there are concerns about the vulnerable position of certain PhD candidates.

‘Op de UT spat de goede wil er vanaf’

De UT heeft nu ruim een jaar een ombudsfunctionaris, in de persoon van Han Warmelink. Hij kijkt tevreden terug op zijn eerste jaar. ‘Het lukt niet altijd om belangentegenstellingen te overbruggen, maar op de UT spat de goede wil er wel vanaf.’

'At the UT, good will is certainly there'

The UT has had an ombudsperson for over a year now, in the person of Han Warmelink. He looks back on his first year with satisfaction. 'It's not always possible to overcome conflicts of interest, but at the UT, the good will is certainly there.'

Solar Boat Twente onthult verfrissend witte zonneboot

Studententeam Solar Boat Twente presenteerde dinsdagmiddag hun nieuwe zonneboot. Meerdere innovaties kenmerken de zonneboot, waaronder een nieuwe vorm en een verfrissende witte kleur.

Nog altijd grote verschillen in stagevergoedingen

Studenten krijgen lang niet altijd een passende vergoeding voor hun stage. 'Dat moet echt anders', vindt demissionair minister Robbert Dijkgraaf. Hij overweegt stagevergoedingen verplicht te stellen.