It has only been 50 years, it is hard to think of the city of Maastricht without its university. Before the official opening of the university in January of 1976, Dr. Sjeng Tans confronted politics in the Hague with the fact that 50 students had already started their medical education. The decision in 1968 to start a university in Limburg had taken too long and he thought it was time for unorthodox methods.

The years before 1968 were crucial in the lobby for a university in Limburg, and the years after that to ensure that the promises were met. Dr. Sjeng Tans played a vital role in this process as a lobbyist, politician, initiator and as first president. The university and the city of Maastricht have thanked Tans in a biography, the annual Tans Lecture and the highest award in the university: the Tans Medal.

Dr. Sjeng Tans also deserves a permanent and dignified place in the city, with a clear reference to what he has meant for Limburg and Maastricht. On September 2nd we'll therefore present the statue in honour of Dr. Sjeng Tans, made by Caius Spronken.

 Also see the video on the Arts and Heritage website