Ernst Kuipers resigned as outgoing Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport at the beginning of this year because he wanted to apply for a job in Singapore for which he has now been appointed.
bee In 1 And in Norwegian Refugee Council Kuipers admitted that he did not yet have a new job when he resigned. Previously, the common belief was that he had already been appointed to another position.
Singapore's Nanyang Technological University announced Thursday that Kuipers will work there. The former minister will become deputy head of the research department.
Kuipers had never told anyone what job or position he was leaving Binnenhof for, not even to outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his D66 party leader Rob Gitten. This led to severe criticism of Binnenhof, because a few weeks later the health care budget was discussed in the House of Representatives. Outgoing Long-Term Care and Sports Minister Connie Helder had to replace him.
Kuipers is disappointed by the hype, but points out that he has been committed to health care for forty years and, as minister, also to public affairs. He says that with specialist ministers like himself, there is also a greater chance that offers will come from this sector. Other ministers who have risen in politics are likely to move to another administrative position.
Kuypers actually wanted to remain a minister
Kuipers preferred to continue as minister, but due to the D66's disappointing results in the elections in November, that was no longer an option. He said he had already received several offers for positions in the previous months – since the fall of the government in the summer – but he had rejected them all.
It was only when the Singaporean university came around again at the end of last year and perhaps wanted to continue with someone else, that he decided to apply. The process took a long time because multiple agencies were involved in the recruitment.
Kuipers emphasizes that in his new position he also has indirect value in the field of healthcare in the Netherlands, because Nanyang Technological University is known for innovation and improvements in healthcare.
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Opgestapte minister Ernst Kuipers gaat werken bij universiteit in Singapore
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