Global Challenges – Future Imaginations
On Friday 25 January 2019, UM celebrated its 43rd Dies Natalis in Sint Janskerk. Minister Sigrid Kaag held the Dies lecture around this year’s topic, ‘Global Challenges, Future Imaginations’ and two honorary doctorates were awarded. During the ceremony, the Rector awarded the Wynand Wijnen Education Prize, the Dissertation Prize, and the Student Prizes.
Impressions from the Dies Natalis
Rector Magnificus Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert opens the 43rd Dies Natalis morning programme.
Photos by Harry Heuts
The 13 proud winners of the Bachelor Student Prizes.
The cortège heading towards the ceremony.
Honorary doctors Michael Ignatieff and Amitav Ghosh with their promotors and members of the cortège.
Rianne Letschert officially opening the session.
UM President Prof.dr. Martin Paul highlights the collaboration between Maastricht University and the University of York.
Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag held the Dies lecture, "Our commitment, their future; the SDG’s and young people".
A view of the interior of Maastricht's Sint Janskerk, the 13th century venue of this year's Dies Natalis.
On behalf of the Board of Deans, Valentina Mazzucato bestowed the honorary doctorate upon Amitav Ghosh.
On behalf of the Board of Deans, Monica Claes bestowed the honorary doctorate upon Michael Ignatieff.
Music was played by the Amber Haddad Quartet.
The 2018 Wynand Wijnen Education Prize went to Fabienne Crombach for the extraordinary way in which she runs Maastricht University's PREMIUM programme.
6 (out of 9) winners of the Master Student Prize who could be present at the event, together with rector Rianne Letschert.
The 2018 Dissertation Prize went to Hortense Jongen, for her thesis entitled "Combating Corruption the Soft Way: The Authority of Peer Reviews in the Global Fight against Graft".
The birthday cake for Maastricht University's 43d Dies Natalis.
Awards
Wynand Wijnen Education Prize
The Wynand Wijnen Education Prize, for staff who have made an exceptional contribution to education, was awarded to Fabienne Crombach. She coordinates PREMIUM, UM’s honours programme for master’s students.
Dissertation Prize
The 2018 Dissertation Prize, this year awarded for the best doctoral dissertation from the inner city faculties, went to Hortense Jongen from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Her thesis is entitled: ‘Combating corruption the soft way: The authority of peer reviews in the global fight against graft.’
Master Student Prize
The Master Student Prize 2018 was awarded to nine students, coming from all six faculties, for their exceptional master theses.
Also have a look at the student video report of the Dies Natalis
Dies lecture - Sigrid Kaag
Sigrid Kaag, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, held the Dies lecture entitled ‘Our commitment, their future: the SDGs and young people’.
Michael Ignatieff
Professor Michael Ignatieff, rector and president of Central European University, received an honorary doctorate. Watch a brief profile and the bestowal of the degree.
Amitav Ghosh
Dr. Amitav Ghosh, award winning novelist, received an honorary doctorate. Watch his profile and the bestowal.
Martin Paul
UM's president prof. dr. Martin Paul spoke a few words on UM's partnership with the University of York.
Music
Music, including ‘Ode an die Freude’, was played by the Amber Haddad Quartet.
Welcome from the rector
Rector Rianne Letschert welcomes the audience and introduces this year's theme in her opening speech.