First female university president? Tine Baelmans to run in upcoming elections

Rumors had been circulating for some time that Baelmans would run for rector, and she has now confirmed this to Veto. 'Our university is navigating a complex economic and geopolitical landscape. That’s why we need a rector with policy experience, someone who knows KU Leuven inside out and has a broad network', Baelmans says.

However, this does not mean she will simply continue the policies of the past eight years under Luc Sels, during which she served as Vice Rector for Education Policy. Instead, she envisions a fresh start, balancing continuity with new perspectives and clear personal accents. 'A lot of hard work has been done, and many things are now in place. It’s time to go back to the basics. We should keep what works well, but we should also be willing to evaluate, prioritize, and cut where necessary. This must be a collective effort involving the entire university community.'

'I want to be a rector who strengthens discussion and intellectual debate in an accessible way', Baelmans states. 'Over the past years, I have shown that this does not conflict with leadership, making tough decisions, and handling complex issues. A rector needs to have a deep understanding of the institution, remain independent, and listen carefully to professors, staff, and students.'

A Broad Policy Perspective

Baelmans emphasizes the importance of considering a wide range of perspectives in university policy: 'For me, the most important thing is to listen to all viewpoints and bring them together in well-supported decisions. We must avoid becoming inward-looking and always relate our work to society. As a university, we play a crucial role in society, and we must actively embrace that responsibility.'

This aligns with previous discussions within the Faculty of Social Sciences, which has advocated for greater social engagement from the university. Baelmans agrees: 'We need to leverage our expertise even more, just as we did effectively during the COVID crisis. Back then, we acted as a bridge between policymakers and our experts, allowing them to influence decisions.'

Baelmans also sees a role for the rector in public debate: 'I value collective input, but that doesn’t mean a rector should take a neutral or vague stance.'

No Diluted Standards

Baelmans has extensive experience in university governance. From 2009 to 2013, she served as Vice Rector for Student Policy under Rector Mark Waer. In 2013, she ran for rector but lost to Rik Torfs. Four years later, she joined Luc Sels' rectoral team. Now, she is one of the most experienced administrators at the highest level of KU Leuven.

Would becoming rector be the crowning achievement of her career? 'I have always approached my work with enthusiasm. For me, this is not about my personal career but about the university. I believe my experience, particularly in times of crisis, and the broad network I have built over the years can be valuable assets for KU Leuven in the challenging years ahead.'

Her decision to run was driven by her vision for the university: 'I asked myself if I would apply for this role if it were a job opening, and the answer was a resounding "yes." KU Leuven is very important to me, and I want to give voters the opportunity to choose someone with my profile.'

Baelmans wants to set high standards for education, research, and service, while respecting every individual. 'I don’t support an approach that waters down education or research. We must challenge our students, researchers, and lecturers—but we must do so in dialogue with them, ensuring they are part of the process.'

A historic first?

If elected, Baelmans would be KU Leuven’s first female rector in 600 years. Along with Karen Maex, she was one of the first women to run for the position in 2013. Maex came close but ultimately fell short by a few dozen votes.

KU Leuven has historically lagged behind in gender diversity. Even in 2022, over 70% of full professors were men, and about 78% of senior professors were male. This so-called "leaky pipeline"—where fewer women reach the highest academic ranks—is partly due to slow faculty turnover, with professors often staying until age 65 or even 67. However, the university has become significantly more gender-diverse in recent decades.

'Yes, it is high time for a female rector', Baelmans acknowledges. 'A woman in this role would reflect the increasing diversity at our university. But more importantly, leadership should involve engaging all perspectives. That isn’t something unique to women.'

If elected, Baelmans would also mark the end of 12 years of leadership by Humanities scholars at KU Leuven. The last rector from another discipline was biomedical scientist Mark Waer. The term of the most recent rector from the Science & Technology group, André Oosterlinck, ended in 2005.

This article was translated by use of AI and afterwards revised by our own editorial staff.