Managing directors leaving TU/e ​​are not uncommon, but usually not when the director in question just returned after fighting his position in court. Mark de Graef, managing director of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, reported ill on September 1, 2023.

When he recovered in early January 2025 and wanted to return to work, his job was already taken over by Sham Moodliar. Moodliar was appointed as De Graef's replacement, and TU/e ​​immediately gave him a permanent contract.

With this action, TU/e ​​violated its own policy. The university stated in court that it sometimes deviates from its contract policy when labor market conditions warrant it. Moodliar allegedly requested a permanent contract during the contract negotiations.

Ruling

De Graef went to court. He had recovered within the statutory two-year period and wanted to resume his position. TU/e, on the other hand, wanted De Graef to leave, appealing to poor performance. The university cited an internal investigation report to support this claim.

The report of September 13, 2023, also known as the Schouten report, presents findings on social safety, career prospects, and the management culture within the CE&C department. The report also criticizes the management of CE&C, mentioning the managing director.

The judge found this insufficient evidence that De Graef was not performing his duties properly. Problems within the department existed already before he took office.

In the ruling, the judge ordered that De Graef be allowed to resume his work as managing director of CE&C as of October 1, 2025. Despite questions from Cursor, it remained unclear how TU/e ​​would deal with this ruling. 

Departure

Until November 10: on that day, the department was informed that two managing directors had been there for a short time, but that Mark de Graef had left the university.

For privacy reasons, the university cannot say whether De Graef left on his own initiative and whether there was a severance deal. Also De Graef did not explain what caused his departure.