Ban on the word ‘UvT’

With the launch of the new website of Tilburg University, the Dutch abbreviation ‘UvT’ is slowly disappearing from the digital scene. From now on the official name will be the English name: Tilburg University.

“With this more unambiguous presentation, we want to increase the recognisability of the University in the Netherlands and other countries”, explains Head of Communications Walther Verhoeven. “From now on, the faculties and services are also referred to by their English name, like Tilburg School of Economics and Management and Facility Services.” Contracts with employees and third parties, printed matter, websites and press releases; in all formal statements, the Dutch term ‘Universiteit van Tilburg’ or the abbreviation ‘UvT’ has to be replaced with the English name Tilburg University.

Twitter
But the remarkable thing is that rector magnificus Philip Eijlander still posts messages on Twitter with the screen name Rector_UvT. According to Verhoeven, this does not have to end. “We do not see social media like Twitter and Facebook as an official medium of publication. A post on Twitter is more like a random meeting and we will not set up rules for that. Students and employees can still use the Dutch term in conversations if they wish.”

There are already some discussions on Twitter about the term Tilburg University. A logical abbreviation if you can only use 140 characters is TU, but everybody associates that abbreviation with the Universities in Delft and Eindhoven (Technical Universities). Verhoeven: “I do not expect people to use an abbreviation. The name Tilburg University is not that long.”

Train station
On Monday 13 December, in the afternoon, the municipality Tilburg, Tilburg University, the National Rail service (NS) and ProRail will together rename station Tilburg West to station Tilburg Universiteit. An odd choice, in light of the internationalization. “ProRail would not allow the name Tilburg University. English station names are not allowed anywhere in the Netherlands. But everybody does understand where they have to get off the train to get to the university.” [Translation: Charles Peter]