Ramon Puras

Secretary General at Aurora Universities

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

About

As an accomplished educational leader in higher education, I am driven by a profound passion for cultivating innovation and advancing the quality of higher education programs, as a dedicated advocate for continuous improvement. I am a conceptual thinker with the ability to analyse complex challenges in the sector, I possess the capacity to envision and conceptualize strategic goals that lead to tangible and actionable results. Through my work with local and international networks, I bring together stakeholders from different backgrounds and perspectives, fostering an environment that encourages the development of the best possible educational experiences for students. I am currently the Secretary General of AURORA universities, a consortium of research-intensive universities deeply committed to the social impact of their activities, and with a history of engagement with their communities. Drawing on my extensive experience in higher education, I am committed to leveraging the cutting-edge research and technologies to continuously improve and innovate higher education programmes. I also did so during my previous role as Dean of the Faculty of Education at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences; I led a diverse team of over 400 colleagues, overseeing the educational journey of more than 5,500 students. Under my leadership, we expanded the scope and impact of our offerings, including an extensive range of Dutch teacher education programs, post-graduate education, and pedagogy. These initiatives were conducted in collaboration with a comprehensive research centre focused on Urban Education, ensuring that our applied research programs not only met high standards of excellence but also addressed the specific challenges of urban education environments. As a first-generation student with a bi-cultural background, I firmly believe in the paramount importance of equal opportunity and accessible higher education for the future well-being of our society. Alongside my managerial responsibilities, I am also privileged to teach an exciting course on the art and science of cooking, which underscores my passion for exploring the intersection of science and education. Key expertise: - Institutional Strategy and Outreach - Liberal Arts and Science - Teacher Education - Digital Innovation in Education - Innovation in (Science) Teaching - Faculty Development - Internationalisation in HE - Biomedical Research - Science and Cooking

Experience