The Fund has a General Board and an Executive Board (part of the General Board). The Chair is the King’s Commissioner in the Province of Limburg. The Board consists of representatives from the business community, alumni, and the academic and administrative staff of Maastricht University. They perform their duties as members of the Board of the University Fund Limburg on an unpaid basis.
The Chair of the University Fund Limburg/SWOL is the King’s Commissioner in the Province of Limburg. The President of the Executive Board of Maastricht University serves as Vice-Chair. The Board further consists of representatives from the business community, alumni, and the academic and administrative staff of Maastricht University. They perform their duties as members of the Board of the University Fund Limburg on an unpaid basis. We are pleased to introduce the Board members to you personally.
At the end of 2022, Theo Bovens was appointed Honorary Member. Between 2011 and 2021, Theo Bovens served as Chair, a position he held in connection with his appointment as Queen’s, later King’s Commissioner in the Province of Limburg, a role he fulfilled with great dedication. Previously, the University Fund Limburg appointed Dr J. Kremers (Chair, 1977-1989), Mr B.J.M. Baron van Voorst tot Voorst (Chair, 1993-2005) and Drs W. Blind RA (Treasurer, 1990-2005) as Honorary Members.
Since 2021, Emile Roemer has held the office of King’s Commissioner in Limburg, a position also referred to as Governor within the province. Traditionally, the annual UM Dinner is hosted at the Government Building.
‘The Governor of Limburg is qualitate qua Chair of the Fund, which was established twelve years before the university was officially opened in 1976. Charles van Rooy, at that moment in time the King’s Commissioner, took the initiative to found it. I am now the eighth Governor to have the honour of holding the Chair’s gavel. In my role as Chair of the Board of the University Fund Limburg, I witness a remarkable synergy between education, research and society, enabling us to build a better future together. I see the Fund as a crucial link in bringing together academic excellence and societal needs. We not only achieve scientific breakthroughs, but also offer concrete solutions to the challenges facing our community.’
Prof. Dr Pamela Habibović is Professor of Inorganic Biomaterials at Maastricht University. From February 2022 to March 2026, she served as Rector Magnificus, after which she was appointed Interim President of Maastricht University’s Executive Board. In this capacity, Habibović also serves as Vice-Chair of the Limburg University Fund’s board.
‘The year 2026 marks a special moment for Maastricht University: our 50th anniversary. It is therefore also an important year for the Fund, which has been a driving force behind the development of UM from the very beginning. Since the university’s founding, it has provided financial support to researchers and students, particularly in areas where regular funding is lacking. In addition, the Fund strengthens the relationship between the university and society, and supports innovative projects that foster new networks and encounters, both within our region and far beyond. From this strong sense of connectedness, we work as an international university on urgent challenges that require collaboration across borders. That is where our strength lies. Let us use this anniversary year to share the Fund’s story even more widely, so that together we can continue to help UM grow.‘
UM alumna Nicole Niessen graduated from the Faculty of Law in 1993. Many years later, Niessen returned to her alma mater as a university lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law, after which she moved into legal practice. Since 2020, Niessen has been a partner at Boels Zanders Advocaten. Within the Fund, Niessen serves as Secretary.
‘As an alumna, I hold UM close to my heart and I am pleased to contribute by giving something back. I am therefore grateful for the honourable opportunity to do so in my role as Secretary of the Fund. The Fund makes a valuable contribution to strengthening the connection between UM and society by financing research into societal issues. In addition, it provides a home for scholarships that promote equal opportunities among students. I find it inspiring that, in this way, we can help reinforce the mission and impact of UM.’
UM alumna Karin Leers graduated in 2008 from the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics. She is a Partner in Assurance Services at EY Accountants, where she focuses on performing and overseeing financial audits, with particular attention to quality, governance and societal impact. In 2025, Leers joined the Executive Board of the Fund, taking on the role of Treasurer.
‘As an alumna of Maastricht University, I am pleased to contribute to the University Fund Limburg in my role as Treasurer. UM plays an essential role in the region, and I believe that sustainably supporting education, research and talent development is of great societal importance. Drawing on my daily work in financial accountability and governance, I use my expertise and network to help ensure a financially sound fund that supports a strong future for Limburg.’
Marc Schreinemacher is Managing Director at KRECO NV and an alumnus of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University, where he also obtained his PhD. His academic background and many years of experience as a university researcher strengthen his connection to both Maastricht and the region. As a Board Member of the University Fund Limburg, he uses his expertise and network to further develop collaboration between UM and the business community.
‘From my own experience, I know how decisive support can be in the early stages of research. At the University Fund Limburg, I want to channel that strength into the themes that matter most for our region: equal opportunities in education, and health and care. It is special to be part of a continuous force that spans many years. With committed partners – alumni, businesses and the region alike – and by maintaining a critical mindset, we can continue to professionalise and grow the Fund step by step. In doing so, we connect talent with opportunity and turn ideas into tangible impact.’
Since 2023, Wim Hillenaar has held the office of Mayor of Maastricht. In this capacity, Hillenaar serves as a member of the General Board.
‘Maastricht cannot, and does not wish to, exist without its university; we are a university city. We must cherish that and make it visible. Every opportunity to contribute to this as mayor is one I seize with both hands. UM is a young university, firmly rooted in society and embedded in the (Eu)region. This is where the great value of the Fund lies, both for UM and for society as a whole. With the support of the Fund, it becomes possible to carry out high‑quality education and research on challenging and relevant societal issues. Moreover, the meaningful collaborations create opportunities for the labour market, and the scholarships open doors for young talent. These connections between the university and the world beyond it are invaluable.’
Ron Coenen serves as a Board Member of the Fund in his capacity as Chair of the Limburg Employers’ Association (LWV).
‘As Chair of the LWV, I aim to act as the figurehead and spokesperson for a business network of around 1,200 members. We represent more than 265,000 jobs in Limburg, nearly 50% of the provincial labour market. We therefore work hard to advocate for Limburg’s interests in The Hague and within the province itself. Strengthening the connection between education and the business community is essential for contributing to the development of our economic climate. It is from this perspective and role that I participate in the Board. By continuing to engage in dialogue, valuable new connections emerge. During my term, I hope to make the link between education, research and the business sector even more tangible for society, by ensuring that the Fund continues to respond to current issues as well as future developments and themes that matter to us all.’
Prof. Dr Yvonne van der Meer is Professor of Sustainability of Chemicals and Materials at the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
‘Partly because of my expertise in the field of sustainability, I was invited to join the Board. For me, there is also a personal motivation behind this. At the start of my academic career, I received a corporate donation through the Fund for research on sustainability. Among other things, the funding enabled me to appoint a PhD candidate. The Fund is a wonderful additional instrument that makes things possible within the university that we cannot achieve through other funding streams, especially when it comes to innovative activities. I am very happy to contribute to that. As a Board Member, I contribute as a connector and networker by establishing valuable contacts and developing new ideas. Above all, I see myself as an active supporter of those who represent the Fund and work with it on a daily basis.’
UM alumna Fancy van de Vorst graduated from the Faculty of Law in 1995. She currently works at the Next Nature Foundation as Manager of New Business. She also serves on the Board of the World Trade Center Brainport Eindhoven and is involved in the Guiding Coalition of Brabant C, the cultural fund of the Province of Brabant. In 2023, Van de Vorst joined the General Board.
‘As an alumna of Maastricht University, it is an honour to serve on the Board. I believe it is important that research addressing societal challenges is given the space it needs. New and innovative research in its early stages often falls outside regular grant or funding schemes. Thanks to the Fund, these projects can still be realised, something I am eager to contribute to. What inspires me most are the opportunities created for young people who would otherwise not have the chance to study. Scholarships offered through the Fund help make this possible. As an international UM alumni community, we can collectively promote the mission of the Fund and serve as a role model in the world. That is what I am committed to during my term on the Board.’
Peter Thissen is Honorary Ambassador of Limburg and former Chair of Ondernemend Venlo. Until 2016, Thissen was CEO of the family business Thissen Installatietechniek BV.
‘I was invited to join the Board by former Chair Theo Bovens, due to my position as Chair of Ondernemend Venlo. Maastricht University, with locations in Venlo’s city centre and on the Brightlands Campus, is regarded by Ondernemend Venlo as a valuable stakeholder. The presence of UM offers entrepreneurs in Venlo unprecedented opportunities; after all, the university provides the employees of the future. In addition, entrepreneurs can help support the financing of the Fund’s activities. Traditionally, a university has very little structural contact with the business community, even though this relationship is crucial for both sides. The Fund can help fill this gap. As a Board Member, I see it as an important task to actively contribute to this.’
Image © Zebra Fotostudio
UM alumnus Thomas Schok studied Medicine at Maastricht University. Schok works as a surgeon and Medical Manager of the Department of Surgery at VieCuri Medical Centre for North Limburg.
‘As a Board Member, I can give something tangible back to “my” university. It also gives me the opportunity to contribute to innovative projects with clear societal impact and lasting value, projects that might not flourish without additional funding. The Fund creates space for ideas that reach beyond purely scientific objectives. I am particularly drawn to projects that combine healthcare and technology, as they align directly with my ambition to integrate technology meaningfully into patient care. At the same time, my role on the Board offers me a broader perspective on societal challenges and solutions beyond my usual professional scope. During my term, I hope to help strengthen collaboration between UM and societal institutions, with a view to fostering innovation and promoting employment in Limburg.’
Prof. Dr Jaap Bos is Professor of Banking and Finance at the School of Business and Economics. In this capacity, Bos serves as a member of the General Board.
‘If we do it well, the Fund is what UM itself is: socially engaged, committed, diverse and innovative. The Fund is, par excellence, one of the ways in which we as a university stand firmly within society, with our own profile and contributing both our knowledge and our networks. In addition, the Fund is our gesture towards future generations, to whom we can offer a strong start together.’
Daisy Blaauw has been a Board Member of the University Fund Limburg since July 2020 and is committed to supporting education, research and societal initiatives at Maastricht University. As an alumna of both the UM Faculty of Law and University College Maastricht, she has a strong academic background and broad engagement with the UM community. In addition to her role at the University Fund, she has extensive experience in policy advice and strategic development, including in her current position as a consultant at ORGfit.
‘It is an honour to contribute to my alma mater as a Board Member of the University Fund. The mission of the Fund resonates strongly with me, and I am proud to help promote it. Supporting academic research and education is of great importance. Based on my professional background and personal motivations, I believe in strong connections between the university and society. Education and research do not stand alone; they are intertwined with, and contribute to, societal developments and challenges.
By raising funds and building bridges between the university, the business community and societal organisations, the University Fund Limburg creates impact: it brings ideas to life, creates opportunities for students and researchers, and contributes to a sustainable and innovative society, in Limburg and far beyond.’
Thomas de Klein is a Board Member of the University Fund Limburg and a notary at Noto Notarissen, specialising in inheritance law. With more than twenty years of experience in the notarial profession, he brings extensive legal expertise.
‘The University Fund forms the foundation for scientific research and knowledge development at Maastricht University. This is not only in the interest of UM’s students and researchers, but also of everyone in our region and far beyond. It is a privilege to be part of this as a Board Member of the Fund. In my daily work as a notary in Maastricht, I can contribute to the Fund with my specific professional expertise. I see that more and more people wish to support science through their wills or by making donations; well‑structured arrangements can offer significant benefits for both the recipient and the donor. The resources the Fund receives through legacies or (periodic) donations are the building blocks for research that can preserve and improve our future.’
Pim Teunissen is Vice-Dean of Education at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University, Professor of Workplace Learning in Healthcare, and a practising gynaecologist at Maastricht UMC+. In his work, he brings together his clinical experience, educational expertise and scientific research on learning and professional development in healthcare. He is committed to accessible and future‑proof education and training, preparing students and professionals for a complex and rapidly changing society. With his focus on high‑quality learning and working environments, interprofessional collaboration, technological developments such as AI, and the broader societal challenges in health and care, he actively contributes to knowledge development and workforce capacity in the region.
‘The major challenges in healthcare, health and society call for curious people who collaborate across boundaries and feel safe to grow and develop. In this region, science, healthcare and society come together in a unique way, and it is precisely this connection that creates opportunities for talent to flourish and for real impact to be made. Through the University Fund Limburg, I hope to contribute to initiatives that enable this growth: by connecting partners, stimulating new ideas and supporting projects that strengthen the region and help society move forward.’
