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Key points from the SURF Members' Council of 12 June
Annual report 2023
The 2023 annual report includes all activities and financial resources from the previous year. It shows the results and whether this is balanced with the money spent in the process. After the audit opinion of an independent auditor, the annual report was adopted by the Members' Council. A concise overview of SURF's activities for the year 2023 can be found here.
Two new members
Two new members were approved during the Members' Council. With the Gerrit Rietveld Academy's membership, all universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands are now members of SURF, a nice milestone. The Cultural Heritage Agency is also joining our cooperative, having previously purchased separate services from SURF.
AI facility
Earlier, the Members' Council was updated on the possibility of developing a large AI facility in the Netherlands. This Members' Council was presented with a current state of affairs and discussed several possible scenarios for achieving capacity on an AI facility for education and research. These scenarios are also reflected in the parliamentary letter recently sent by the government on the AI facility.
Think Tank Digital Transitions
The member satisfaction survey within SURF revealed a need among board members of our members to have more of a substantive conversation about what SURF does. Following this outcome, it was discussed to ask a group of board members to explore a particular strategic theme for one year. Participation is by invitation and on one's own initiative. The group will be filled and launched in the coming period, possibly also changing its name.
Rates and core package
An important role of SURF is to provide services to our members. Each year, the core package of services is set. This Members' Council adopted the core package of services for next year without any changes compared to this year. However, the cost allocation for these services will change; a new calculation method has been discussed to this end. This methodology will be further explored with one sector, after which it will probably take effect this summer.
Reappointments and regulations
At the Members' Council, Dorien Jongeneel was reappointed from 1 January 2025 for a 4-year term on the Supervisory Board. In addition, Andrea Klaeijsen and Lynda Hardman were reappointed for a second 3-year term from 9 June on the Scientific Technical Council (WTR). It was also decided to amend the member council regulations to do the self-evaluation every other year from now on, instead of annually.