Former Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Ernst Kuipers (D66) will work at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore from May. The Singaporean educational institution has that announced on Thursday. The D66 member will take up the position of vice-chairman of the research department there.
Last month he announced his departure from the outgoing cabinet in exchange for an undisclosed job abroad. The fact that Kuipers did not make it clear which position exactly concerned him was the subject of criticism. Outgoing Minister for Long-Term Care and Sports Conny Helder (VVD) took over Kuipers’ role as minister. The medical care portfolio fell into the hands of his party colleague Pia Dijkstra.
The ministership, which lasted for two years, also meant Kuipers’ first steps in national politics. As a former doctor and director of the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, he succeeded Hugo de Jonge (CDA). Although there was a hard lockdown just before he took office, the pandemic played an increasingly smaller role later in his cabinet period.