The Chancellor first thanked the outgoing members of the Board of Directors and welcomed the newcomers:
- Cédric Visart de Bocarmé: Outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors (2022-2026)
- Guido Jardon: Outgoing External Director (2022-2026)
- Laurent Boulanger: Outgoing internal director (2022-2026)
- Jacques Gérard: Internal Director (2026-2030)
- Pierre Crevits: External Director (2026-2030)
- Carine Schadeck: External Director (2026-2030)
"As Rector, I would like to thank the General Assembly for its work in preparing for these important elections and for its wise choices, which will enable the Board of Trustees to draw on high-quality internal and external expertise. Given the challenges we will face in the coming years, these skills will be invaluable and will help us make the best decisions to ensure the development and sustainability of this university that is so dear to us."
The Rector also discussed the current budgetary context in which UNamur operates and the levers available to the university to address it.
"The challenges facing the university are significant. (...) It clearly shows that the first challenge is budgetary. (...) Provided that the cost-saving measures we are being asked to implement by the different governments do not have a greater impact than what we are currently experiencing, we are confident in our ability to cope and to find the means to invest in the university. Because that is what it is all about: if we want to continue to be a university of excellence, we must continue to invest in the university's missions, teaching and research, and therefore in people. We must be able to finance an ambitious campus renovation plan that limits our environmental impact and aims to provide staff and students with a high-quality environment conducive to pursuing their studies in the best possible conditions and to carrying out the university's missions with ever greater creativity and innovation."
"There are many legitimate expectations. It is essential to listen to them and find ways to address them so that everyone can flourish in their studies and careers by benefiting from the best working conditions. It is also essential to inform these expectations with a view to new needs in terms of research infrastructure, premises adapted to new teaching methods, the growing use of teleworking, etc. (...)
Some will question the advisability of investing in these ambitious projects when the budgetary situation is precarious. Of course, we must remain reasonable. Of course, we cannot do everything, and we need to be bold in our choices. The Board of Trustees is well aware of this. But it is essential to avoid turning in on ourselves. Especially in a crisis situation. We must dare to reinvent ourselves and dare to innovate. Without boldness and vision, there is a significant risk that the institution will become ossified and lose its appeal. And UNamur is worth it. This academic year, we are attracting almost 10% more new students, representing an overall growth of around 3.5%. So yes, the university is attractive! Furthermore, the results of the various FNRS calls for proposals are remarkable. With the exception of one instrument, UNamur significantly exceeds the average success rate of the various calls. So yes, UNamur offers research excellence in all its faculties. Let us be proud of our university and confident in its future, despite the headwinds."
