'I want to have an open outlook on the world and provide answers to societal challenges'

Professor Debbie Jaarsma is Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Career
Jaarsma studied veterinary medicine in Ghent and Utrecht from 1992 to 2000. She then gave up her pathology specialization to become a college professor at the HAS University of Applied Sciences in Den Bosch (2001-2003). In 2008  Debbie received her PhD in veterinary education in Utrecht. She then became a professor at the University of Amsterdam. And since 2014 she holds the chair of Research and Innovation  in Medical Education in Groningen and leads the research group LEARN (Lifelong Learning Education and Assessment Research Network).

Open outlook
The faculty has become more visible to the outside world in recent years. Jaarsma considers this connection with society to be important. 'I want to have an open outlook on the world and provide answers to societal challenges. The Board has been working hard to build a new organisation over the past few years. Now we'll have to make sure those changes really take root and keep everyone here happy.' Jaarsma believes that if you can do that, you'll have the right preconditions for that open-minded outlook on the wider world. 'That will ultimately lend the faculty the new energy and momentum it needs.'