In Memoriam Nienke van Rij

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Nienke van Rij, a first-year student of Pedagogical Sciences at Erasmus University Rotterdam. The news of her sudden death has deeply affected us as a department and as a community. In this In Memoriam, we wish to reflect on who Nienke was to her fellow students, lecturers and to the educational profession for which she was preparing.

Nienke was a highly dedicated student. She always attended lectures and seminars, came to classes well prepared and worked hard. This led to excellent academic results, but more importantly, her commitment showed just how seriously she took her studies and future profession.

Fellow students describe Nienke as calm, intelligent and helpful. She was not a student who sought the limelight, but rather, through her quiet presence, she made a significant difference. You could count on her as a fellow student and as a partner during group assignments in the Pedagogical Science programme.

With Nienke’s passing, we have lost not only a beloved fellow student, but also a future educational professional who would have gone on to do meaningful work for children, young people and their careers. Through her calmness, intelligence and commitment to others, she had much to offer the professional field for which she was training.

Our thoughts are first and foremost with her parents and her brother. We wish them, and the rest of her family and loved ones, much strength in coping with this indescribable loss. We also think of her fellow students, lecturers and everyone else within and outside the Pedagogical Sciences programme who will miss Nienke.

On behalf of the staff and students of the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences,

Brenda Vermeeren, Vice-Dean of Education

Marieke Meeuwisse, Programme Director of Pedagogical Sciences