UGent-Rector defends decision to have Reuzegom member master’s tests guided: « I respect the indignation, but also respect for the rule of law » (Ghent)

He says that he has eliminated an earlier ban, which was dedicated to the controversy of the man’s recruitment. The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture was then able to make a decision. The faculty then decided internally not to have the man performed accompanements for the time being, the rector did add.

Van de Walle’s intervention comes after The morning For the debate, JJ, convicted in 2023 for unintentional killing and degrading treatment of Sanda Dia, is mentioned as a supervisor at various master’s theses at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. That encountered indignation, because in his appointment UGent had explicitly promised that he would not record teaching tasks, including guidance of master’s tests.

Van de Walle recognizes the sensitivity of the file, but points to the importance of the rule of law: « I respect the indignation. But I also respect the rule of law. No matter how difficult it is to accept that, it is crucial that we accept statements of the judiciary. » He has added: « Can you recruit such a person as a university? We think so. It can surprise you, but there are people who have been convicted with us lessons. Those people also deserve opportunities. »

Decision of the faculty

According to the rector, the decision to abolish the earlier ban was not on his initiative, but at the request of the competent faculty. « It does not happen to the rector to say who should or should not be a supervisor. The faculty is free to have the man performed or not or not. »

The question of having JJ Master’s tests guided came after a year and a half and was thoroughly weighed according to Van de Walle. « In a setting where he would never be the only one in a lab and closely followed by his various promoters. »

The commotion arose because students and staff only recently discovered that JJ is effectively carrying out guidance assignments. In the meantime, the Faculty Council has voted to stop those tasks for the time being and first have the file again viewed by a training committee.

The discussion is bursting at a symbolic moment: in a week UGent will choose a new rector. Petra De Sutter, from the Walles counter -candidate, reacted cautiously: « If there was a clear framework in which he could do the doctorate, it seems logical to me that that condition must remain fulfilled, unless there is a good reason to deviate from it. »