René Teunissen

René Teunissen (MSc) serves as Head of Internationalisation and Senior Policy Advisor Internationalisation at Erasmus University Rotterdam, within the central administration’s Strategy & Academic Affairs department. He brings extensive expertise in international education, project management, curriculum development, partnership building, Erasmus+ grant advisory, and the design and implementation of institutional internationalisation strategies.

In his current role, René leads the development and execution of the university’s internationalisation strategy, aligned with its recently introduced institutional strategic framework. He acts as a trusted advisor to faculties, the International Office, and the Executive Board. His work is guided by the principles of comprehensive and systemic internationalisation, as well as a strong commitment to inclusive and responsible internationalisation.

In addition, René plays an active leadership role within the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and the European University Foundation, contributing to the advancement of international cooperation and policy development in higher education across Europe.

In parallel, René serves as Secretary of the university’s Advisory Committee on Sensitive Collaborations. As a civic institution, Erasmus University Rotterdam actively engages with a broad range of societal partners through academic and business collaborations at national and international levels. Many of these partnerships take place in complex contexts marked by geopolitical tensions, ethical considerations, or human rights concerns. In this capacity, René supports the committee’s work in assessing such collaborations holistically, with careful attention to risks related to human rights, ethics, knowledge security, and institutional reputation.

The committee, established in 2024, functions as an independent advisory body to the Executive Board and faculties. Its mandate is to evaluate whether proposed collaborations align with the university’s core values, ensuring that its activities uphold and promote human rights and the university’s Erasmian values. Beyond its advisory role, the committee also facilitates dialogue across the university community on responsible engagement in international partnerships.