Driving force and source of inspiration
Jacques Reiners started his career at the University Library in 1978 and moved to Studium Generale in 1980. The activities marking the 25th anniversary of Studium Generale, the Global Culture Nights, the Evening of the Spoken Word and the PAS Festivals, held since 2014, are fine examples of his energy and expertise. Reiners organised all this together with his team, showing his tremendous ability to inspire and motivate his team.

Opening the doors to a wide audience
Reiners and his colleagues at Studium Generale provided a stage to exceptional speakers, such as Hungarian dissident writer György Konrád, Dutch actress and theatre-maker Loes Luca, Holocaust survivors Jules Schelvis and Marian Turski and many other scientists, writers and artists. UM scientists were also given the stage to present the findings of their research.

With its Studium Generale programme, Maastricht University opened its doors to a wide audience from the region, showing that it isn’t an ivory tower. Studium Generale places science and the university firmly at the centre of society. It’s not just about sharing knowledge; it’s also about asking critical questions and joining the discussion.

Evening of the Final Word
Jacques Reiners was handed the UM Medallion by UM President Prof. dr. Martin Paul and Rector Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert at The Evening of the Last Word (Avond van het Laatste Woord), an event in which science, music and theatre meet. It was first organised at the 25th anniversary of Studium Generale in 2003.