Letter from the Dean

Subject: ITC Reorganisation – Building a Stronger Future Together 

Dear ITC Alumni, 

We would like to share an important update about the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). After a careful process and in close dialogue with the University of Twente’s Executive Board, and our Faculty Council, ITC has officially started a reorganisation process. 

This decision was not taken lightly. We are facing significant budget cuts on our base funding, announced on Prinsjesdag 2024. To ensure a financially sustainable and future-proof faculty, ITC must reduce its structural costs by €2.5 million by 2029. Unfortunately, this means that several valued colleagues will leave ITC in the coming period. We recognise the personal impact of this news and are committed to supporting everyone involved with care, respect, and transparency.  At the same time, we want to stress that this reorganisation is not only about reducing costs, it is about strengthening our foundation for the future. 

Towards a Future-Proof Faculty 
In the new structure, ITC will become more focused, agile, and connected. Our four scientific departments will align with ITC’s key profiling themes: 

• Disaster Resilience 
• GeoAI 
• Resource Security 
• Urban Futures

These themes reflect ITC’s enduring mission: to build capacity worldwide by applying geo-information and earth observation to tackle pressing global challenges. Our vision remains the same, a world where researchers, educators, students, and partners work together across disciplines and borders to create sustainable, fair, and digital societies. 

 Looking ahead with Hope and Confidence 
Even in this period of transition, our commitment to our global community, including you as alumnus, remains stronger than ever. ITC’s identity has always been shaped by resilience, collaboration, and the drive to make impact where it matters most. We are confident that, together, we will emerge from this reorganisation as a stronger, more focused faculty, ready to continue our mission of education, research, and global partnership. 

Thank you for your continued connection and support. You are an essential part of the ITC community and of the future we are building together. We will continue to to inform you and are available for questions. You can reach me directly by email.   

With warm regards, 
Freek van der Meer, Dean 
On behalf of the ITC Faculty Board