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Earthquake Morocco

Corporate
Students
UM news

As a UM community, we are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco.

Collaboration Maastricht & Radboud: ambitions are taking shape

Corporate
UM news

This spring saw the publication of the ambition document 2023 – 2027 regarding the collaboration between Maastricht University and Radbou

Maastricht University and Radboud University are to increase cooperation in education and research. Aim of the collaboration: to join forces to maximise the academic and social impact in the South-East region of the Netherlands.

Ambition document

Maastricht University and Radboud University have worked out the ambitions for their collaboration. The ambition document 2023-2027 sets out the focus for the next few years and explains how the collaboration will be facilitated. What are the plans, in a nutshell?

Click here to read the

Ambition document 2023-2027

Annual Plan 2024

Based on the goals named in the ambition document of Maastricht University and Radboud University, or for projects where a clear foundation has already been laid, we determined actions. We share these in the 2024 annual plan. What are we working towards and when will this be a success?

Click here to read the

Annual Plan 2024

Who are the members of the steering committee?

The collaboration between Radboud University and Maastricht University is being accompanied by a steering committee. Its members are:

Alexandra van Huffelen, Radboud Universiteit
Sijbrand de Jong, Radboud University
Harm Kaal, Radboud University
Rianne Letschert, Maastricht University
Mariëlle Heijltjes, Maastricht University
Harald Merckelbach, Maastricht University

Projects

Lifelong Learning

With an extensive range of postgraduate education, together with the Open University, we increase our impact in the region in developing innovative education for professionals that meets current training needs.

Academic teacher training programme

More first-grade, academically trained teachers in the classroom - that is the aim. One way to achieve this is to train teachers partly in Nijmegen, partly in Maastricht.

Development programmes for healthcare professionals

The Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (UMIO) and Radboud Management Academy are working with the UMCs of Nijmegen and Maastricht to develop healthcare executives.

Master’s programmes in Biotechnology and Applied Physics

Two joint, two-year research master's programmes: one in biotechnology, and one in engineering physics. This is what the science faculties of Radboud University and Maastricht University are working on.

The National Education Lab AI (NOLAI)

At NOLAI, teachers, school leaders, school administrators, teacher trainers, business people and scientists work together to improve primary and secondary (special) education through AI (artificial intelligence).

Heritage

For postgraduate heritage education, there are many opportunities for cooperation between Radboud University, Maastricht University and museums in the region.

News

Tailored brain stimulation: neuroscientists in Maastricht and Nijmegen join forces

Take all the knowledge and technology about the brain and brain stimulation from Maastricht University and Radboud Uni

Projects with Radboud University: Focus on themes starting in 2025

The collaboration between Radboud University and Maastricht University will become more thematic from 2025 onwards.

Universities in Southeast Netherlands find connection in heritage

'Connected by Heritage', a project in which Radboud University and Maastricht University are working together, is intende

Library with antique books and open book with old map of the world

Teacher's Day: education and educational innovation at UM in the spotlights

Teacher's Day is a special occasion to express appreciation for teachers and educational staff.

More teachers in Limburg: joint Maastricht-Radboud teacher training programme expands options

UM news

Two years ago, Maastricht University and Radboud University launched a joint offer to get more first-degree teachers into the classroom i

PhD Conferral Carmine Paolo de Salvo

PhD Defence

25 September 2023 16:00

"Agricultural Policies and Agricultura; Performances in Latin America and the Caribbean."

Maastricht University opened the 2023/24 academic year in the Theater aan het Vrijthof on Monday 4 September. It was a festive day full of inspiring speeches, such as that of entrepreneur Yama Saraj. There was a performance by singer-songwriter Aafke Romeijn and guitarist Bram Ieven. The event concluded with the presentation of the Edmond Hustinx Prize, the UM Student Award and the Impact Award.

Compassion and challenges: flourishing through resilience

Professor Rianne Letschert, President of the Executive Board, opened the event with a speech that tied in seamlessly with the theme of the opening of the academic year, ‘Compassion and challenges: flourishing through resilience’. She emphasised the importance of the wellbeing of students and staff at Maastricht University in an academic world increasingly focused on performance and status.

This year’s keynote speaker was entrepreneur Yama Saraj. He shared his life story, full of setbacks and triumphs. Together with students Rosanne Vosters, Okeeno Hamilton and Natalia Podstawka, he discussed the mental hurdles (young) academics face. Yama gave us important insights that we will work on together in the coming academic year.

“Differences in opinion should not cause polarization in our community but should be shared and respected and will ultimately help to improve the quality of our decisions and policies.”

Rianne Letschert, President UM

We also enjoyed the magical sounds of the musical duo Aafke Romeijn and Bram Ieven, and the jazz band CLS Trio from the Conservatorium Maastricht. After a great award ceremony with delighted winners, we toasted to the opening of the academic year 2023/24.

“Being vulnerable is not the same as being fragile. There's a difference between acknowledging your struggles and letting them define you.”

Yama Saraj, keynote speaker

Relive the Opening of the Academic Year 2023/24

We’ve collected the best photos below.

Click on the icon to browse through the photos.
Photos: Philip Driessen

Video of the Opening Academic Year 2023/24

Watch all the OAY videos here. From the speeches to the winners: get inspired (again)!

All the winners

Three important prizes were awarded during the opening of the academic year 2023/24. Rector Magnificus Professor Pamela Habibović had the honour of announcing the winners.

Impact Award

The Impact Prize is awarded annually to the PhD student whose research has had the greatest impact on society. This year, it was Study Smart by PhD candidate Felicitas Biwer. Study Smart is an online platform that provides training and insight into effective study methods. In collaboration with EDLAB, the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences and representatives from other faculties, Felicitas has developed the platform that 3,000 students already use.

UM Student Award

Every year, the UM Student Award is awarded to students who, in addition to their studies, have made exceptional social or cultural contributions. This year, the prize went to the DIAS (Diversity, Inclusivity, Accessibility and Sustainability) project group of students Maaike van Uum, Helena Sanvicente, Serena Boukelmoun and Anna-Maria Lipolit.

As part of their ‘Are you okay’ campaign, DIAS created stickers with a QR code linking to an interactive infographic, listing available emergency services and contact details.

Edmond Hustinx Prize

This year’s Edmond Hustinx Prize was awarded to Natasha Mason, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychopharmacology and Neuropsychology. For the past nine years, she has been investigating the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic drugs and cannabis. The Edmond Hustinx Prize is awarded annually by the Edmond Hustinx Foundation to highlight the impact of science in South Limburg.

Addressing sexual safety at INKOM 2023

Students
UM news

At last week's INKOM, attention was paid to the social safety of students, especially the sexual aspect

Sexual Safety Programme flyer at INKOM 2023

Have your say on sexual safety - DRAFT

15 September 2023 16:45 - 15 September 2023 18:30

Mariëtte Hamer, government commissioner for sexual transgressive behaviour and sexual violence, is to visit UM on 15 September. Your chance to have your say on inappropriate sexual behaviour in higher education.

Privacy enhancing measures for Microsoft 365 apps

Privacy enhancing measures for Microsoft 365 apps

A privacy enhancing change has been made to a section of Microsoft 365 Apps for employees and students. Microsoft 365 Apps is the new name for Microsoft Office; this suite includes Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Currently, both linked experiences (also known as connected experiences) and optional linked experiences (also known as optional connected experiences) are both activated by default with UM Microsoft licences. From 22 September 2023, optional connected experiences will be disabled for employees and students.

What are linked and optional linked experiences?

Linked experiences in Microsoft 365 Apps add additional functionality that users find valuable and useful and also actually use. These connected experiences are part of the data processing agreement with Microsoft where Microsoft is the 'data processor'. For this reason, it was chosen to allow linked experiences.

However, optional added experiences are not part of the processing agreement with Microsoft. To ensure the privacy and information security of employees and students, the use of optional linked experiences will be disabled as of from September 22, 2023.

What does this mean?

In practice, it means that some additional features will no longer work using a UM Microsoft licence. Examples of these functions are 'Insert Online Video', 'Research' and 'Office add-ins. UM is aware that this may be perceived as restrictive or inconvenient. After careful consideration, privacy is preferred over functionality.

The functionalities listed below are no longer available due to this measure:*