It is the first TU/e-wide plan, for until now each department had its own rules and criteria. It is expected that the plan will be implemented within several weeks. New elements are that postdoc contracts cannot be stacked anymore and that there is no longer a staff establishment principle, but a development principle. This means that scientists will not always have to wait for a position to fall vacant by accident anymore, but will sooner be encouraged on the basis of their qualities and achievements to develop further.

In addition, the organization aims to get more women in top positions. Drs. Anja Klomps, head of the Personnel and Organization Department, has developed the plan. “It is essential that the organization should indicate candidly at the earliest stage possible what kind of prospects there are for a scientific staff member. In the interim period it should also be carefully monitored what goes well and what may be improved. Unambiguous, clear agreements need to be made.”

The TU/e also wants to introduce binding study advice as of September 2009. First-year Bachelor students without any chance of success will then be compelled at the end of the year to stop their training. This implies that criteria will be sharpened in this respect also. Peter van Dam, spokesman for the Executive Board, informs us that there is no direct connection between the two plans. /.