Invitation: Opening Academic Year 2026-2027
The Board of the University cordially invites you to the Opening of the 2026-2027 Academic Year on Monday 31 August 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Martinikerk in Groningen.
The theme for the opening is ’The University at the heart of Society’.
The ceremony will be bilingual and translated live.
The programme includes the following:
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Speeches by Rector Jacquelien Scherpen and President Jouke de Vries;
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Speech by Rianne Letschert, Minister of Education, Culture, and Science;
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Awarding of the Alumnus of the Year Award to Ninah Tiemersma;
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Short speech by GUF-100 winner Isabella Martinez;
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Musical interludes by pop choir Bladgoud and organist Eeuwe Zijlstra.
Afterwards, there will be a reception in the choir of the Martinikerk until 6:45 p.m.
Registration
If you would like to attend the Opening of the Academic Year, please register at the latest 24 August via rug.nl/oaj.
Please note: We would like to ask you to arrive on time, but no later than 20 minutes before the start. The guest list will be checked at the church entrance. Without registration, we unfortunately cannot grant you access. Large bags or backpacks are not allowed in the church; they must be left at the reception desk. More information can be found on the web page of the Opening of the Academic Year.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to leave the church before the end of the ceremony. Please bear in mind that the programme may run 15 minutes over time.
We look forward to seeing you on 31 August!