Recognitions

Maastricht University gives out awards to people from both within and outside of the organisation, who have directly or indirectly contributed to either the university or society-at-large. UM's awards include honorary doctorates, the Dr. J.G.H. Tans Medal, the UM medallion of honour, the Wynand Wijnen Education Prize, the UM Award and the UM Student Award.

UM honorary doctor 2021 Jaap van Dissel certificate hand-over

Honorary doctorates

UM bestows honorary doctorates upon people who have made an extraordinary contribution to science or society. The following people have received an honorary doctorate:

YearHonorary doctorHonorary supervisor
2023Prof. Robert S. LangerProf.dr. Clemens van Blitterswijk / Prof.dr. Thomas Cleij
2021Prof. dr. Jaap van DisselProf. dr. Christian Hoebe
2020Prof. dr. Kathryn ShawProf. dr. Gerard Pfann
 Prof. dr. José M. PeiróProf. dr. Fred Zijlstra
2019Prof. dr. Michael IgnatieffProf. dr. Monica Claes
 Dr. Amitav GhoshProf. dr. Valentina Mazzucato
2018Prof. dr. Carole GobleProf. dr. Michel Dumontier
 Prof. dr. Lucy SuchmanProf. dr. Sally Wyatt
2017Joachim GauckProf. dr. Martin Paul
2016Prof. dr. med. Detlev GantenProf. dr. Martin Paul / Prof. dr. Thomas Unger
 Prof. dr. Susan-Rose AckermanProf. dr. Michael Faure
 Prof. dr. Paul de GrauweProf. dr. J. Muysken
2015Jimmy WalesProf. dr. Luc Soete
 Drs. Frans TimmermansProf. dr. A.W. Heringa / Prof. dr. Sophie Vanhoonacker
 Prof. dr. Wolfgang WahlsterProf. dr. Gerhard Weiss
 Prof. dr. Michelle CraskeProf. dr. Peter Muris
2014Prof. dr. Peter J. BarnesProf. dr. E. Wouters
 Prof. dr. P. LevittProf. dr. Valentina Mazzucato
 Prof. dr. Amy EdmondsonProf. dr. W. Gijselaers
 Prof. dr.Jürgen HennigProf. dr. R. Goebel
 Prof. dr. Paul CraigProf. dr. B. de Witte
2013Prof. dr. Fred H. GageProf. dr. Harry Steinbusch
 Prof. dr. Mohammad Hashem PesaranProf. dr. Franz Palm
 Prof. dr. Trevor PinchProf. dr. Wiebe Bijker
 Prof. dr. Paul CrutzenProf. dr. Pim Martens
 Dr. Feike SijbesmaProf. dr. Martin Paul
 Prof. dr. Christine van den WyngaertProf. dr. A. Klip
2012Prof. dr. A.L. GoldbergProf. dr. A. Schols
2011Prof. dr. P. AlstonProf. mr. M. Kamminga
 Prof. dr. Parsu Parasuraman PhDProf. dr. J. Lemmink
 Prof. em. dr. dr. H.C. B. KohlerProf. dr. T. Blom
 Prof. dr. Kamil UrgurbilProf. dr. R. Goebel
 Prof. dr. H.M. LevinProf. dr. H. Maassen van den Brink
2009Prof. dr. J. CampbellProf. dr. P. Eicholz
2006Prof. dr. J. FriedmanProf. dr. W. Saris
 Prof. dr. M. McKeeProf. dr. H. Maarse
 Prof. dr. R. ZimmermanProf. mr. J. Smits
2005Prof. dr. J. DrèzeProf. dr. J. Herings
2001Prof. dr. H.S. Barrows, MD PhDProf. dr. C.P.M. van der Vleuten
 Prof. dr. W.J.M. LeveltProf. dr. G. Kok
 H.J.A. HoflandProf. dr. J.H.W. Kusters
1996H. Kotz 
 W.J. BaumolProf. dr. H. Maks
 P.A. J. JanssenProf. dr. R.S. Reneman
1993Marc Lalonde P.C., O.C., Q.C. 
1991Prof. dr. F.J.A. HuygenProf. dr. A. Knottnerus
 T. KoopmansProf. mr. C.F. Flinterman
 Prof. dr. R.R. Nelson 
1989 Dr. C.F. Beyers NaudeProf. mr. Th. van Boven
1986Prof. dr. A. Fleckenstein 
 Prof. dr. J.D. Caen 
 Prof. dr. M.E. Josephson MD 
 Prof. dr. P.C. Johnson 
1981Dr. J.G.H. Tans 
 Prof. dr. B.A. Smith 
 Prof. dr. J.R. Evans 
 Prof. dr. J.J. van Rood 

Dr. J.G.H. Tans Medal

The Dr. J.G.H. Tans Medal is the highest distinction at Maastricht University. It is given to people who have made a significant contribution towards the development of the university. Previous recipients of this medal include former Govenor Kremers and former Rector Magnificus Cohen.

YearWinner
2024Dr. N.J.P.M. Bos 
2024Prof. dr. J.G.A.M. Lemmink 
2023Prof. dr. N. de Vries
2023Mr. A. Penn-te Strake
2023Prof. dr. C.P.M. van der Vleuten
2022 Prof. dr. H.E.G.S. Schneider
2021Prof. dr. M.A. Paul
2020Prof. dr. A. Scherpbier
2019Prof. dr. C. Hemker
2018Prof. dr. J.A. Knottnerus
2012Prof. mr. G.P.M.F. Mols
2011Dhr. L.J.P.M. Frissen
2011Prof. dr. ir. J.M.M. Ritzen
2009Mr. P.A.F.W. Elverding
2005Mr. B.J.M. baron van Voorst tot Voorst
2004Prof. dr. H.J. Martens
2004Prof. dr. A.C. Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman
2002 Dr. K.L.L.M Dittrich
2002Mr. Ph. J.I.M. Houben
1998Prof. dr. R.S. Reneman
1997Prof. mr. M.J. Cohen
1995Prof. dr. W.H.F.W. Wijnen
1995Drs. L.E.H. Vredevoogd
1990Dr. J. Kremers
1989Drs. J.B.M. Verhey
1987Mr. R.B. van den Biggelaar
1986Prof. dr. J.M. Greep
1984Dr. J.Ph. van Campen
1982Dr. P. Thung
1982Prof. dr. H. Philipsen
1978Dr. J.G.H. Tans
Ceremony Medaillion of Honour
Len Cuppens recieves the Medallion of Honour - photo Philip Driessen

UM Medallion of Honour

The UM Medallion of Honour is presented to UM staff members who have made an exceptional contribution towards the brand awareness, reputation and development of the university. Recipients receive this medallion upon their departure. 

The first UM Medallion of Honour was awarded to drs. André Postema, former Vice Chairman of the Executive Board. He received the medallion during the Dies Natalis in 2014. Postema was recognised for the extraordinary way in which he contributed towards improving operational management, sustainability and valorisation at Maastricht University.

More information:

  Regulations on Awarding the Maastricht University Medallion of Honour

YearWinner
2024Winnie Bosch
2023Bart van den Heuvel
2022Rense Hoekstra
2022Jos Kleinjans
2022 Ineke Wolfhagen
2021Len Cuppens
2018Wammes Bos
2018Jacques Reiners
2018Jos Kievits
2017Jan Muijtjens
2017Jos Smits
2016Louis Boon
2015Laurent Louwies
2015Herman Kingma
2014André Postema

Wynand Wijnen Education Prize

The Wynand Wijnen Education Prize is an annual prize awarded to members of the UM teaching staff who have made an exceptional contribution to education at Maastricht University. This prize is awarded during the Dies Natalis.

The Wynand Wijnen Education Prize is presented as a tribute to Wynand Wijnen, a professor of didactics who passed away in 2012. In addition to considerable national achievements in the field of education reform, he helped lay the foundations of Problem-based Learning at Maastricht University.

YearWinner
2019Dr. Leo Köhler, FHML
2018Fabienne Crombach, EDLAB
2017Dr. Nynke de Jong, FHML
2016Dr. Jeanette Hommes, SBE
2015Dr. Anja Krumeich
2014Catalina Goanta, FL
2013Jaap Bos, Gwen Noteborn and Sjoke Merk, SBE
2012Dr. Jan de Roder, FASoS
2011Dr. B. van Diepen en dr. C. Kerckhofs, SBE
2010Dr. Dirk Tempelaar, SBE
2009Gwen Noteborn, Kelly Guyskens, Nina Belei en Claudia Jabmad, SBE
2008Gerard Maijoor en Ton de Goeij, FHML
2007Rob de Vries, FPN
2006Louis Boon, Gerard Korsten, Anouk Cuijpers, Ans Netjes, Pascal Suppens, UCM
2005Herco Fonteijn, FPN
2004Bob Wilkinson, Language centre
2003Prof.dr. Eric Heineman, FHML
2002André Meijer, FHML
2001Prof.dr. Anita Jansen, FPN
2000Oefenrechtbank, Law
1999Dr. A. Paulus, FHML
1998Staf Multimedialab, FASoS
1997H. Schneider, FL
1996Dr S. Romme, SBE
1995Mevr. H. Snellen - Balendong, FHML O&O

UM Award

The UM Award is an annual award given to staff members who have served the university with special merit, be it on an academic, managerial or service level. The UM Award is presented at the New Year's reception.
 

YearWinner
2022Judith Kamalski, BISS, Chris Pawley, FSE, 
Antoinette Stöcker, MUO
2020Anja Ronken and Tineke Beaumont
2019Mieke Jansen, SSC, Pierre Schröder, HRM
2018Rogier Gerardu, Venlo, Ineke Wolfhagen, FHML
2017Jan Vijge, MUO
2016Len Cuppens, MUO, Bakir Bulić, FHML
2015Brigitte Caenen-Alblas, Birgitte Hendrickx
2014Roel Spätjens, René Gabriels
2013Chantal Kuijpers, FL, Ali Jahanshahianvar, FHML
2012Alejandro Lavopa, Chair PhD Academy
2011Erie van den Heuvel, CAPHRI, Martin Tossings, CARIM (passed away in 2012)
2010Prof.dr. Corine de Ruiter, FPN, Ingrid Wijk, Denise Vilerius and Margot Krijnen, Kids College
2009Ien van de Leur, FASOS, Lou Quaden, FD
2008Tiny Simon, MUO, Dr Ton. de Goeij, FHML
2007Ine Kuppen, Alumni Officer, Prof.dr. Arnoud Arntz, FPN

More information

  UM Award - Regulations

Opening Academic Year 2024/25
The presentation of the UM Student Award 2024 to the UnliMited-Students Network: From left to right, Rector Magnificus Pamela Habibović, Estella Jardi, John Koch, and Amélie Migchels, who received the award on behalf of the UnliMited-Students Network – photo: Philip Driessen.

UM Student Award 2024

During the Opening of the Academic Year on 2 September 2024, it has been announced that the UnliMited-Students Network, and specially mentioned Carolina Bäckström and Sophia Yazdani Biuki, who are network delegates, is the winner of the UM Student Award 2024.

UnliMited-Students is a network for and by students with visible and/or invisible functional limitations, chronic conditions and neurodivergence. The network focuses on bringing students with disabilities together and on making from Maastricht University a more inclusive and accessible environment.

UnliMited-Students is committed to:

  • creating a community of peers, in which students can share experiences and connect with each other;
  • giving more visibility and awareness on studying with a disability;
  • strengthening the participation and inclusion of students with disabilities within the broader UM community;
  • acting as a sounding board for UM policy;
  • organising events and activities, such as coffee corners/shared study sessions/walks/campaigns, and building a community;
  • organising a disability awareness week every year and the UnliMited connects week.

Overview of UM Student Award winners:

YearWinner
2024Carolina Bäckström and Sophia Yazdani Biuki - the UnliMited-Students Network
2023Maaike van Uum, Helena Sanvicente, Serena Boukelmoun and Anna-Maria Lipolit - 'Are you okay?' campaign
2022Marts Ivaskis, Moritz Takacs and Friederike Leppert - Shelter Our Students Maastricht
2021Vera Karagiannidou
2020Arthur Bribosia
2019Kyran Kuijpers, Davide Muraro, Gina van Rossum and Nina van Santvoort - UM Pride
2018Julie Ann Garcia Goodfellow
2017Victoria von Salmuth
2016Matthijs Bosveld and Sjim Romme
2015Aurelia Streit - Student and Society Initiative
2014Board of the 'Gezondheidsuniversiteit' (Health University)
2013Foundation BONT and Maastricht Eco-Map
2012Taskforce Qualitative Resuscitation by Students
2011Mpower Foundation
2010Maaslife.nl
2009Anna Theuvenet
2008Marjolein Buss and Lennard Duijvestijn
2007KALEIDOSCOPE Maastricht
2006MUSTANGH Foundation
2005Navtej Talwar
2004Evelien van der Zon
2003Werkgroep Allochtone Studenten
2002Michael Hoeck
2001Independent Fraternity Que Pasa
2000Jasper Grosskurth and Bas de Zwaan

UM Student Award 2025
Do you want to recommend someone for the Student Award 2025? Download the regulations (Dutch) and the recommendation form.