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Oscar van den Wijngaard wins the 2024 Wynand Wijnen education Prize

The 2024 Wynand Wijnen Education Prize was awarded to our dear colleague Oscar van den Wijngaard, Sr. Education Development Officer at EDLAB, during the 49th Dies Natalis ceremony on 31 January 2025.  

Rector Magnificus Pamela Habibović warmly congratulated Oscar on winning the prestigious prize, awarded every year to those who make an exceptional contribution to educational innovation and development: “Oscar's commitment to educational innovation, as well as his work on academic advising and the integration of research and teaching, has had a tremendous impact on our students and the broader educational community, and we greatly, greatly appreciate his dedication. So, Oscar, I think you more than deserve this prize!”

A well-deserved recognition

“Oscar consistently prioritises what is important for students and what contributes to their success, continually challenging the university and us to maintain this focus,” says his colleague Iris Burks in the video celebrating Oscar’s award. “He has an exceptional ability to anticipate developments in the educational landscape, often years in advance.”

Another colleague, Arie van der Lugt, agrees: “Working with Oscar is like being part of a little beat poet society where you just get to listen to music, recite poetry, and at the same time wonder about all of these marvellous things in the world, and how we can actually help talented, driven young people transition from knowledge consumers to knowledge producers.” 

A career dedicated to education

Since joining UM in 2003, Oscar has made a lasting mark on its educational community. He was the driving force behind initiatives such as the Think Tank and the UM MaRBLe programme and has been instrumental in strengthening student guidance networks. At EDLAB, his work has included leading the First Year Retention project, refining PBL communication strategies, and co-creating UM’s Advising and Student Guidance Vision. He has also been a key initiator of edUMinded, UM’s online magazine on teaching and learning, and the annual UM Education Days, which bring together UM’s teaching community to share best practices.

“Oscar is dedicated to education,” says EDLAB director Ellen Bastiaens. “He lives for UM education and for Problem-Based Learning. That’s his work and his passion. He is one of the founders of the Education Days, a big celebration of UM education in June, where almost 200 people come together for two days of learning and exchange.”

An inspiring mentor

Beyond his institutional contributions, Oscar is widely recognised for his ability to spark curiosity and inspire those around him. “He can really kindle the fire of curiosity, not just in students but also in colleagues,” says Arie.

In an interview for Observant, Oscar reflected on academic advising and student guidance: “An academic mentor is something entirely different from a student psychologist. I think it’s a role many lecturers feel more comfortable with: advising as teaching. It plays to their strengths."

A well-earned spotlight

Named after one of UM’s founding figures, the Wynand Wijnen Education Prize honours individuals whose efforts to improve education at UM place them in the spotlight. Oscar’s contributions, spanning decades of innovation and dedication, make him a worthy recipient of this year’s award.

Oscar, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. As Arie puts it so well: "Oscar, you rock!"

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