Honours Festival 2026: Celebrating the Mukwege Cohort
On 24 June 2026, the 15th edition of the Honours Festival took place in the Academy Building. Students from the Mukwege cohort showcased the interdisciplinary projects they had developed together over the past two and a half years.
Vice-Dean Jan Riezebos opened the festival by welcoming the Mukwege cohort and all attendees. In his opening remarks, he reflected on the students' Honours journey and the interdisciplinary projects they had worked on for the festival.
We would like to thank Honours Lecturers John Morijn and Karène Sanchez-Summerer for their inspiring keynote speeches. Professor Morijn reflected on the importance of democracy, interdisciplinary learning, and civic engagement, encouraging students to use their Honours experience to contribute to society and the common good. You can watch his entire speech here. Professor Sanchez-Summerer also delivered an inspiring speech and launched her book “Cities as Cultural Crossroads: Objects, Stories, and Migration between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa”. Through their Honours courses and Summer Schools, Professor Morijn, Professor Sanchez-Summerer, and Dr Mayada Madbouly have made a lasting contribution to the academic and professional development of Honours students. We are grateful for their commitment and dedication to the Honours College.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors from both inside and outside the university took part in interactive workshops, watched a mini-documentary, explored particle physics through a board game, and discovered many other creative student projects that challenged them to look beyond the boundaries of their own disciplines. Light refreshments were also served.
Our Dean Joke Fleer officially closed the festival by congratulating the students and reflecting on the inspiring projects presented throughout the afternoon. She also highlighted the valuable contributions of the Honours Review and the Honours College Social Association (HCSA). We thank the HCSA for the fun, interactive mini-game.
Later that evening, faculty-specific Honours Ceremonies took place and the students received their Honours College Medal from their faculty coordinator. The medal symbolizes their successful completion of the Honours Programme.
Congratulations to all graduates of the Mukwege cohort! We wish you all the best in both your academic and professional endeavors.