The rector of Amsterdam’s Vrije University, Lex Bouter, resigned on Friday after faculty deans said they no longer have confidence in the functioning of the board.

The internal dispute follows the publication of a critical report which said the university does not have a concrete educational vision. The report was a precursor to a new accreditation system for Dutch universities which is being introduced next year.

‘There is nothing wrong with the quality of the education but the policy is not clear enough and does not translate across the faculties,’ said works council spokesman Ottho Heldring. ‘That has led to the mess.’