Annual Report UT Ombuds Officer: Slight increase in staff reports, limited number of student reports

The Ombuds Officer of the University of Twente has published the new annual report for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Reports from staff

This year, staff submitted 44 reports to the Ombuds Officer—slightly more than in previous years. Several cases appeared to be interconnected and shared a common underlying cause. Disrupted working relationships and employment law issues made up the largest category of reports. In six cases, the disrupted relationship was directly linked to an employment law conflict. Reports concerning unequal treatment, discrimination, and cultural differences remained relatively low.

Reports from students

As in previous years, the number of student reports remained limited: eight reports were received in 2024–25, varying in nature. Although students can contact the Ombuds Officer directly, most choose to go through Student Services (Contact Centre) instead. There, they are referred to the most appropriate form of support, and if necessary, subsequently to the Ombuds Officer.

Transparent and correct decision-making processes

Conflicts sometimes arise from decisions made by the UT, or from the way these decisions are communicated. A correct and transparent decision-making process at the decentralised level can help prevent decisions from leading to damaged professional relationships. It can also reduce the risk of academic or organisational disagreements escalating into personal conflicts.

The Ombuds Officer recommends strengthening the secretary role within faculty boards. Greater attention to this role can safeguard the collective nature of decision-making and promote objective and clear communication about how decisions are reached.

Organisational learning

The Executive Board expresses its appreciation for the annual report and considers the findings and recommendations valuable. The UT aims to learn from these insights together, and the outcomes will therefore be included in discussions in various governance bodies of the university. The Ombuds Officer’s signals and advice are, for instance, being discussed with the EB, deans, faculty operational management portfolio holders, and service directors, enabling a joint effort to further strengthen a safe and supportive working and learning environment at the University of Twente.

About the Ombuds Officer

Since 15 October 2019, the University of Twente has appointed an independent Ombuds Officer—Han Warmelink—to provide easily accessible support to both students and staff. As part of the wider support structure, he acts as a confidential point of contact, advisor, and, when needed, mediator or investigator in matters such as inappropriate behaviour, workload concerns, performance-related issues, or conflicts arising during study or work.

The Ombuds Officer reports annually to the Executive Board on trends and patterns relating to social and institutional safety. The full report can be accessed via https://www.utwente.nl/en/service-portal/dossiers/integrity/ (under Ombuds Offficer).