‘Every reason to look forward to 2019’

In her speech, Kristel Baele highlighted the events that took place in the ‘dynamic and memorable year’ of 2018. There were celebrations for EUR’s 105th anniversary including the Opening of the Academic Year in Laurenskerk and the Science Hotel and Science Open science festivals.

Prizes and appointments

Baele also stated that she was proud of all employees who had obtained a scientific prize or grant in 2018, such as the Stevin Prize for Professor Marion Koopmans and a Vici grant for Dr. Gijs van Soest. Six researchers received a Veni grant and eight received a Vidi grant in 2018. Iliass El Hadioui and Pieter Huisman were also reappointed as members of the Education Council.

Openings and new faces

On campus, Polak Building reopened and the Sanders Law Library, Food Lab and Education Lab opened their doors for the first time. Rutger Engels (Rector Magnificus) and Roelien Ritsema van Eck were appointed to the Executive Board, and there were also many new faces among the Deans.

New strategy

Kristel Baele also addressed the new strategy for 2024: “This is taking shape through real co-creation. Following the launch of the seven priorities, the Strategic Design Labs worked extremely hard on ideas for the strategic plan, which will be presented at the opening of the new academic year.”

Tinbergen year

The launch of the strategy is one of the events to which we can look forward, stated Baele. There will also be celebrations, including a special lecture, to commemorate Jan Tinbergen winning the Nobel Prize for Economics fifty years ago. The construction of a new sports centre will start on campus Woudestein and more study places will also be established.

Gift to Rotterdam

The 105th anniversary celebrations will continue in 2019. Linked to the anniversary theme (‘Science meets City’) the university’s gift to the city will consist of a series of children’s lectures by university researchers. “A fantastic way to share our knowledge and introduce children to science”, stated Baele. “We can be proud of what we have achieved so far and have every reason to look forward to what awaits us.”