Frans van Vught

Franciscus Adrianus (Frans) van Vught (born July 23, 1950) is a Dutch social scientist and Professor of Higher Education Policy at the University of Twente, known for his work on the theory of higher education innovation, higher education policy and relationship between government and higher education.

Born in Montfoort, Van Vught obtained his MA in urban planning, regional planning and sociology at the University of Utrecht in 1975. Subsequently he held a postdoc position in urban studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1982 he obtained his PhD in Public Administration from the University of Twente with the thesis entitled "Experimentele beleidsplanning : bestuurskundige expedities in de jungle van het planningsdenken" (Experimental planning: public administration expeditions in the jungle of the planning thought).

After his graduation in 1982 Van Vught started his academic career as Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration of the University of Twente, where in 1986 he was promoted to Professor of Planning Methodology. From 1997 to 2005 he was rector and president of the University of Twente, and since 2005 he is Honorary professor of Higher Education Policy. In 2005 he joined the board of the European University Association, and from 2005 to 2014 Van Vught was also President of the European Center for Strategic Management of Universities.

In 1995 he co-founded the Dutch Institute of Government (NIG), a research school of Departments of Public Administration and Departments of Political Science of the Dutch Universities, and became its first director. In 2002 he was elected member of the Social-Economic Council. Since 2006 he is director of the Netherland House for education and research (Nether), national research school.

In 1999 Van Vught was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent for his great merit for science policy and administration, and in 2007 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow for his influential publications and higher education research.

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