Opening of the Academic Year 2024/25: a recap
On Monday 2 September, Maastricht University celebrated the opening of the 2024/25 academic year in the Theater aan het Vrijthof. We enjoyed inspiring lectures by, amongst others, Han Dols, live music by the band Nakumba and the presentation of several special awards.
Read more about the event
View a slideshow of photos of this day
Watch all the videos
Look at the overview of awarded prizes
‘Limburg’s window on the universe – global innovation and regional regeneration’
Who knows: with the possible introduction of the Einstein Telescope, our region could soon be the centre of European research on gravitational waves.
This year’s keynote speaker was Han Dols of CERN, the European organisation for nuclear research. Han shared valuable insights about CERN’s experience in accelerating innovation and maximising the impact of technology. And about what such a mega project – which CERN in Geneva already is, and which the Einstein Telescope can become – can entail for a region.
It may seem challenging to see the link between particle physics and fields like medical imaging, aviation, or even fraud detection. Yet, the connections are far closer than they appear at first glance.
Associate professor Gideon Koekoek gave an interesting presentation on the Einstein Telescope and the ETpathfinder.
Besides these interesting insights, we enjoyed live music with unique Latin and Brazilian influences, performed by the band Nakumba, led by Poliana Vieira.
UM President Rianne Letschert opened the academic year 2024/25. A year full of challenges. In her opening speech, she made a passionate plea against small-mindedness, against The Hague's 'one size fits all' measures, and in favour of a good perspective on the longer run, which is exactly why the UM was founded in 1976.
All the work involved in the Einstein Telescope confirms to me that we are doing what we are best at here in the south: working together.
The Opening of the Academic Year 2024/25 in pictures
All awards lined up
Dr. Elvira Loibl winner of the Edmond Hustinx Prize
This year, the Edmond Hustinx Prize went to Elvira Loibl, assistant professor of Criminal Law and Criminology. Her groundbreaking research into illegal adoption trade has received national and international recognition. The Edmond Hustinx Prize is awarded annually by the Edmond Hustinx Foundation to highlight the impact of science in South Limburg.
UnliMited-Students Network winner of the 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 UnliMited-Students Network, led by Carolina Bäckström and Sophia Yazdani Biuki.
With their initiative, they aim to create a more inclusive university by supporting students with functional disabilities, chronic conditions and neurodivergence.