Looking back on the opening of the academic year 2025-2026

The opening of the academic year 2025-2026 took place on Monday 1 September 2025. The theme of the ceremony was 'Impact Without Borders: Local Meets Global'. We look back on a ceremony with powerful speeches, special awards, and atmospheric music. The ceremony opened with the traditional procession of professors, led by student and study association boards carrying colourful banners.

Opening by the Rector Magnificus

Rector Magnificus Jacquelien Scherpen opened the ceremony. She briefly looked back on the past year as Rector Magnificus, a rather turbulent period marked by ongoing conflicts and suffering worldwide, during which the Board of the University engaged in intense discussions about the role of the University in complex situations such as the Gaza–Israel conflict. There are also concerns about academic freedom and the dependency on data infrastructures. For the UG, this is a reason to work on digital sovereignty. The future AI Factory in Groningen, in which the UG is involved, could become a driving force for close cooperation in the digital domain.

Towards a new university

President of the Board Jouke de Vries pointed out that global developments are having an increasingly significant impact on the University. This is why a long-term strategy is needed. The UG aims to evolve into a fifth-generation university: an international network university that is strongly embedded in the region. Collaboration with vocational education, universities of applied sciences, and the UMCG is a typical feature of this model, as are regional campuses and hybrid teaching hubs. De Vries explained to his audience that this cluster model could also be applied in other regions. A distinct profile for each region makes research more efficient and ensures that disciplines are maintained at the national level.

The keynote speaker was Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, former Minister of Education, Culture, and Science. He addressed the current state of science. According to Dijkgraaf, it is both good and not so good. Science has made great strides and laid fundamental building blocks for the future, but it is also under threat from various sides, and scientific authority is being undermined by populism, budget cuts, and short-term thinking. International collaboration is being framed as dangerous. However, Europe has a unique opportunity to take the lead in the field of science. Collaboration and smart specialization are important in this regard.  

Ubbo Emmius Medal and Alumnus of the Year

After that, the Ubbo Emmius Medal for Science Communication was awarded to journalist and publicist Govert Schilling, who has been writing about astronomy for over 40 years. He made a strong case for the importance of communicating science to children. ‘The spark for science is already ignited in primary school,’ said Schilling. ‘Cherish and nurture that curiosity.’  

In addition to these speeches, Prof.  Marijke Leliveld talked about her field of consumer ethics and the harmful effects of excessive production and consumption. Khalaf Alkhalaf received his Alumnus of the Year award from the Rector Magnificus. Alkhalaf, who fled Syria to escape the terror of IS, is now a team leader at the Dutch Council for Refugees. ‘I came here filled with both fear and hope,’ he said. ‘Hope for a new future. Now I want to help others find their place too.’ He dedicated his award to every refugee who refuses to give up, and to 'all the educators, mentors, and friends who believe in us, often before we believe in ourselves.'

GUF-100 prize winner Maaike ten Hoor spoke about the impact of personal words and the stimulating effect they can have. Finally, the new UG poet-in-residence, Hanna van Rooij, recited a poem. The Bragi a cappella choir provided beautiful musical interludes.

We would like to thank everyone for attending and we look forward to the new academic year!

All speeches and poem poet-in-residence

• Speech Jacquelien Scherpen
• Speech Jouke de Vries (in Dutch)
• Speech Robbert Dijkgraaf
• Speech Govert Schilling (in Dutch)
• Speech Marijke Leliveld
• Speech Khalaf Alkhalaf (in Dutch)
• Speech Maaike ten Hoor (in Dutch)
• Poem Hannan van Rooij

Atmospheric photos and video's

Pjotr Wiese took many atmospheric photos, which can be found on his website.