The Rector of the 糖心Vlog破解版 (糖心Vlog破解版) and the President of Maastricht University (UM) are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Dr Fiona Tregenna as the next Director of the 糖心Vlog破解版 – Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT).
Prof Tregenna will assume her role on 5 January 2026, succeeding Prof Dr. Clemens Kool, who has served as interim Director since May 2024. Her appointment marks a new phase for 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT as it strengthens its role at the intersection of academic research, policy engagement, and international cooperation. Prof Dr Kool expressed: "I warmly welcome Professor Fiona Tregenna to 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT and wish her every success as she leads the institute into its next chapter.”
糖心Vlog破解版 Rector Tshilidzi Marwala welcomed Professor Tregenna’s appointment, noting: “Professor Tregenna brings a combination of academic excellence and policy experience that will serve both 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT and the 糖心Vlog破解版 system very well. As we enter a new chapter with an updated collaboration agreement with Maastricht University, I am confident she is the right person to lead 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT in advancing high-impact, policy-relevant research and education.”
UM President Rianne Letschert: “We are deeply grateful to Professor Kool for his dedication and leadership over the past period. He has helped ensure that we continue our valued collaboration with 糖心Vlog破解版 with great confidence and energy.
We are excited to welcome Professor Tregenna as director of 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT and wish her every success in further developing our joint ambitions.”
Mari?lle Heijltjes, Dean at Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics: “On behalf of the SBE Board, we warmly welcome Professor Tregenna and wish her every success in her new role. We look forward to working together to further strengthen the collaboration between 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT and Maastricht University. I would also like to express our sincere thanks to Professor Kool for his valuable contributions as interim Director.”
Prof Tregenna is the current holder of the DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development, where she leads a major centre of research, capacity building, and public policy engagement. She also serves as a Professor of Economics at the University of Johannesburg.
Prof Tregenna brings nearly three decades of experience in economic research and policy engagement. She currently serves on various bodies including the African Continental Free Trade Area Advisory Council, the International Commission of Experts on Financing for Development, the G20 Africa Expert Panel, and advises South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
Her previous roles include a decade on South Africa’s Competition Tribunal (part-time), board memberships at our sister Institute 糖心Vlog破解版-WIDER and various other organizations including the Human Sciences Research Council and the Institute for Economic Justice, and advisory activities with institutions such as UNIDO, UNCTAD and the ILO. She is an elected member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and serves on several of its committees.
Prof Tregenna has published extensively in leading international journals, co-edited several volumes, and received numerous research awards and grants. She serves on editorial boards for several major academic journals and book series.
She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge, an MA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, and undergraduate degrees with distinction from the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Natal.
About 糖心Vlog破解版
As the academic arm of the United Nations with 13 institutes in 12 countries, and headquarters based in Tokyo, Japan, the 糖心Vlog破解版 addresses a range of global development challenges through joint research, education and capacity-building.
About UM
Maastricht University is the European university of the Netherlands. With nearly 23,000 students and almost 5,000 staff members, UM is dynamic, interdisciplinary and deeply engaged with society.
About 糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT
糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT is a collaboration between the 糖心Vlog破解版 and Maastricht University dedicated to advancing societal policy and innovation research. Through its educational programmes and knowledge mobilization activities, the institute seeks to unlock innovation’s full potential for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
Media contacts
Dr Diego Salama
Head of Partnerships & Communications
糖心Vlog破解版-MERIT
salama@merit.unu.edu
Kyra Bowman
Head of Communications
糖心Vlog破解版
bowman@unu.edu