On 14 November 2023, the closing ceremony of the student association In Duplo took place. During this ceremony, personal attention was given to graduating students in Economics & Law and Law & Business Administration. Alumni Hilke Schuurmans en Joar Duvekot reflect on the evening.
Representatives from Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus School of Economics, and Rotterdam School of Management attended the closing ceremony. Notable figures such as Dean Harriët Schelhaas, Philip Hans Franses, Jan-Peter Balkenende, and Daan Stam delivered speeches emphasising the remarkable achievement of these newly graduated alumni, who completed not one but two university degrees. Double degree coordinators Mark de Mooij and Louis Visscher also addressed the alumni.
In Duplo Student Association
In Duplo is the student association for students pursuing double degrees in Economics & Law or Law & Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Both programmes are completed in six years, making them accessible only to the most motivated students.
Reflection
Hilke Schuurmans, alumna in Economics & Law, and Joar Duvekot, alumnus in Economics & Tax Law, reflect on the closing ceremony.
“The closing ceremony was a fantastic conclusion to the double-degree program”, says Hilke. “A celebration to reflect on all the years dedicated to this program and how this phase of life has now truly come to an end.” Joar also looks back positively: “The closing ceremony was a fantastic way to reflect on achieving my goal of becoming Mr. Drs. and that I did this together with friends. Experiencing the ceremony with family and friends was also amazing.”
What stood out the most for them that evening? Hilke answers: “The bar stool session was quite special: the part of the evening where you sit on a bar stool with a few friends in front of the entire audience and are interviewed by Jan Peter Balkenende. This is the moment to truly reflect on your own study time and how you have experienced it.” Joar agrees with her and mentions another highlight: “That the majority of my friends were in the audience as graduates. It was beautiful that my parents could see us 'in action' and that we all crossed the finish line together.”
Currently, Hilke is travelling through Asia for three months. She will start as a Data Consultant at Capgemini on 1 April. Joar has been working as a tax advisor at PKF Wallast in Rotterdam for some time.
Dean Harriët Schelhaas also reflects on a successful evening: “It was an incredibly beautiful evening where we celebrated the impressive achievement of these double-degree students. We hope that our new alumni can and will make an impact with their extensive knowledge and skills!"