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Opening academic year 2016/17

The academic year 2016/17 was opened on Monday 5 September 2016. The theme of the opening ceremony (and the title of the new Strategic Programme 2017-2021) was: 'Community at the CORE'. CORE stands for Collaborative Open Research Education and is a logical extension of the interdisciplinary approach that lies at the heart of education and research at Maastricht University.

Photo impression

Moderators Catalina Goanta and Mark Kawakami interviewing the Executive Board during the morning symposium.

The moderators and the Executive Board at the conclusion of the morning symposium.

The UM cheerleaders performing a routine in the hallway of the Minderbroedersberg. 

Maastricht's Mayor, Annemarie Penn-te Strake, discussed the importance of reciprocity between the university and the city.

Prof. dr. Ron Heeren highlighted the importance of teamwork in solving societal issues.

The cortège walking towards the theatre.

The cortège arriving at the Theater aan het Vrijthof

The afternoon programme started off with a welcome and introduction by prof. dr. Martin Paul. 

Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert presenting the Edmond Hustinx prize - a prize annually awarded to a promising young UM researcher - to Bart van Grinsven, assistant professor on the Maastricht Science Programme.

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p>Students Matthijs Bosveld (Medicine) and Sjim Romme (Health Sciences) jointly received this year's Student Award for the project ‘The person behind the patient’ (Mens achter de Patiënt).

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Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert talking to Student Award winner Matthijs Bosveld.

Prof. dr. Ron Heeren gave a pecha kucha-style presentation about the Research component of the new Strategic Programme.

Keynote speaker Prof. dr. Mathieu Segers gave a lecture entitled "This Side of Paradise: ‘Maastricht’ and the burden of European unity".

The musical interlude was provided by Fluid Orchestra & DJ Vindictiv and conducted by Jesse Passenier.

Prof. dr. Jan Cobbenhagen presenting the 'Connected with our Communities' component of the new Strategic Programme.

The academic year was officially opened by 40 students and Martin Paul all of whom rang a bell.

The ceremony was closed with a surprise appearance by performer Ivo van Megen. He sang an aria while reenacting the signing of the document that started UM in 1976.

About the opening of the academic year

We traditionally celebrate the official opening of the academic year on one of its first days, sometime in late August or early September. The day will generally have a theme on which the morning and afternoon programmes are based. This is followed by an academic session featuring the official opening late in the afternoon, attended by many of the university's professors in full regalia.

The president of the Executive Board gives a speech, followed by a guest speaker who picks up the same theme. Finally, two prizes are awarded: the Edmond Hustinx Award for Science for promising young researchers and the UM Student Prize awarded to either a Maastricht University (UM) student complementing their studies with a remarkable social or cultural achievement, or a UM student organisation that has distinguished itself in the societal or cultural realm. The day ends with a drinks party.

Previous OAY celebrations

 2015/16
 2014/15
 2013/14

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