Symposium
During the symposium on Monday morning, the new Maastricht University Strategic Programme 2017–21 will be presented in an unconventional way. The symposium is partly organised by students, with a leading role played by UM stakeholders – from professors to students and alumni – who contributed to the strategic programme. The plans concern not only the academic community, but also our environment and the city of Maastricht. As such, part of the strategic programme will be presented by the mayor of Maastricht, Annemarie Penn-te Strake.

Official opening
The official opening of the academic year will be held in the afternoon in the Theater aan het Vrijthof. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony is open to the public: in addition to the entire UM community, all interested parties from our local, regional and international community are welcome to attend. President Martin Paul will open the academic session by outlining the development and aspirations of the strategic programme. The guest speaker is Mathieu Segers, professor of European Integration and dean of the University College Maastricht. His research field – European integration in the past and present – is intertwined with the city of Maastricht, where the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Maastricht will be celebrated next year.

Prizes
The Student Award and the Edmond Hustinx Prize for Science will be presented by Rianne Letschert, the new Rector Magnificus as of 1 September. Musical entertainment will be provided by Fluid Orchestra and a DJ.