University of Groningen awards various prizes during Ceremony of Merits

The UG awarded various prizes to excellent researchers and students during the Ceremony of Merits on 4 July 2025. The new Nicolaas Mulerius Foundation Dissertation Prize for the best UG dissertation went to Dr Jana Holthöwer (Faculty of Economics and Business). In addition, the best student from each faculty was awarded a GUF-100 prize worth €2,500, intended for study or research.

Nicolaas Mulerius Foundation Dissertation Prize

Jana Holthöwer received the Nicolaas Mulerius Foundation Dissertation Prize, which succeeds the Wierenga-Rengerink Dissertation Prize. She received the prize for her dissertation on AI-powered service robots, which earned her a PhD from the Faculty of Economics and Business. In her dissertation, she discusses how people can be encouraged to embrace these robots, at what point people are satisfied with the services provided, and how people can best interact with the robots. According to the jury, her research is an important contribution to the successful integration of these robots in service sectors, focussing on user experiences and satisfaction. This is particularly important in view of staff shortages due to ageing, for example in the care sector.

The Nicolaas Mulerius Foundation Dissertation Prize is awarded to the PhD candidate who has written the best University of Groningen dissertation in the year prior to the award ceremony. Each faculty nominates a maximum of one candidate, and the jury, which consists of the current Rector Magnificus and a number of former Rectors Magnifici, selects the final winner from this group. Only exceptionally good dissertations are eligible (at least with the cum laude honours predicate). The Foundation provides the prize money. The winner will receive €10,000 to use for further academic development, such as participation in symposia abroad.
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GUF-100 prizes

During the Ceremony of Merits, outstanding students from each of the 11 UG faculties received the GUF-100 Prize, which consists of a €2,500 scholarship for study or research. These prizes are financed by the Groningen University Foundation. The following students were awarded a prize:

• Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences - Carolina Kakies

• Faculty of Arts - Danielle van den Brink

• Faculty of Economics and Business - Friso Smedes

• Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society - Esteban Ugalde Martínez

• Faculty of Medical Sciences - Maaike ten Hoor

• Faculty of Law - Carla-Elena Sava

• Faculty of Spatial Sciences - Aya Youssef

• Faculty of Philosophy - Makke Marij Bakker

• Faculty of Science and Engineering - Ana Lazar

• University College Groningen - Arina Aladysheva

• Campus Fryslân - Marlen Mertens

Read more about the GUF-100 prize winners.

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Photos

Photos were taken during the ceremony by photographer Pjotr Wiese. The photos can be found on his website. A small impression:

About the Ceremony of Merits

The annual Ceremony of Merits focuses on accomplishments. Everybody who has significantly contributed to the UG in the past year is given the spotlight, whether they are an academic, support staff member, or student. In addition, the prizes mentioned above are awarded. The Ceremony of Merits was held for the first time ever in 2022. The prizes have existed for longer, and were previously awarded during the annual UG Summer Ceremony.