The university celebrates

The celebrations of the university centennial are over. More than 2000 people attended the official ceremony and the evening program in De Doelen last Friday November 8th.

Next to a look at the university in retrospect, honorary doctorates were awarded from all eight faculties and institutions, during a diverse program in the afternoon. While accompanied by princess Beatrix, the program was enlivened by performances of student choir Rotterdamsch Schoon and the Hofpleintheatre.

FLTR: Parting rector magnificus Henk Schmidt, honorary doctor Steven Levitt, and honorary promoter Robert Dur.

New rector

In addition, towards the end of the ceremony Henk Schmidt transferred his rector chain to the new rector magnificus Huib Pols. Schmidt received the Royal award Ridder in de Orde van Nederlandse Leeuw on the night before from board chairman Pauline van der Meer Mohr.

Pols emphasizes during his maiden speech that students increasingly behave like consumers, because they have the option to choose from a wide variety of study programmes, taught anywhere in the world. “We should provide to our students with larger, more profound, and more compelling education.” A good means are online classes. Additionally, more efforts should be made to give students a better start in the labor market, according to Pols, who also indicated that the Erasmus University will anticipate even more on international students in the future. Finally, he emphasized the importance of collaboration among faculties and universities in order to reach the ‘critical mass’ in Europe.

Gift from the municipality

Also the municipality of Rotterdam brought a gift for the university. Prior to the performance of the Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest, city councilor of higher education Korrie Louwes announced the construction of a couch and a group of statues at the University College at Nieuwmarkt.

The party continues

Besides, there are a number of events devoted to the university centennial, among which are the Universities Games held in July of next year.

WG/photo Michelle Muus