Royal Decorations for Gerard van den Berg and Erik Frijlink

Two Groningen professors nominated by the University of Groningen received royal decorations on Friday 26 April. Prof. G.J. Van den Berg was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. The decorations were presented to him by Mayor Koen Schuiling of the Municipality of Groningen. In addition, Prof. H.W. Frijlink was appointed Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion. He received the accompanying decoration from Marcel Thijssen, Mayor of Tynaarlo.

Multi-talented Professor Van den Berg awarded a royal decoration

Gerard van den Berg (Almelo, 1962) is Professor of Health Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the UG and the UMCG. After starting his academic career as a university student in Groningen, he spent many years working elsewhere: at the VU Amsterdam, where he became a professor at the age of 34, and subsequently in Germany, the UK, America, and Sweden. In 2019, he returned to Groningen, where he has since worked as Professor of Health Economics. His academic career is unprecedented according to Dutch standards: he is known as a leading international econometrist and labour and health economist who combines analytical depth with social relevance in a very straightforward way. As such, he advised several ministries. Very recently, for example, at the request of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, he has made a major contribution to research that can be used to quantify the value of science. His research on cancer and epidemiology in collaboration with medical researchers is equally impressive and promising. Colleagues at home and abroad praise him for his leading academic work, his broad expertise and elegant solutions to complex problems, and his commitment to connecting science and society.

A royal decoration for inspiring Professor Frijlink

Erik Frijlink (Meppel, 1960) is Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy and chair of the research group bearing the same name at the Faculty of Science & Engineering of the UG. After spending six years in the pharmaceutical industry, he started working as a Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy 25 years ago. Together with his research group, he has managed to set up highly successful research projects in both academic and industrial fields. For instance, hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide are grateful to benefit from the applications resulting from his research into powder technology, biopharmaceuticals, and dosage forms. Colleagues both in the Netherlands and abroad applaud his enthusiasm, warm personality, and collegial attitude, while students fondly recall his enthusiastic, dazzling lectures. He is also known as an academic innovator and is regarded as the perfect example of an academic entrepreneur.