{"id":119198,"date":"2020-11-02T15:45:58","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T14:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=119198"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:25:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:25:12","slug":"professor-warns-of-impact-of-coronavirus-restrictions-in-eurs-first-ever-online-farewell-lecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/11\/02\/professor-warns-of-impact-of-coronavirus-restrictions-in-eurs-first-ever-online-farewell-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor warns of impact of coronavirus restrictions in EUR\u2019s first ever online farewell lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erasmus University witnessed its first online PhD defense ceremony a while ago. Since then, we have also seen an online inaugural lecture. But until two Fridays ago, the university had not yet experienced an online farewell lecture. That changed when Johan Mackenbach, a Professor of Public Health at Erasmus MC, gave his farewell lecture. Not only was the delivery of his farewell lecture affected by the coronavirus outbreak, but its subject was, too. \u201cThe higher expenses incurred due to the coronavirus restrictions are making it even harder to make the transition to a more sustainable society.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

View Johan Mackenbach\u2019s farewell lecture from the comfort of your own home.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Johan Mackenbach, Professor of Public Health (Erasmus MC).<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

\u201cIt was a very special experience,\u201d says Mackenbach. Initially, he wanted to teach his farewell lecture on campus, because back in June, it seemed as though normal life was on its way back. Some 130 socially distanced persons would fit into the Auditorium. \u201cBut then the restrictions were tightened, and the maximum number was reduced to thirty. And [Prime Minister] Rutte said not to take any risks. So it would have been strange for me as an Erasmus MC employee to take such a big risk anyway, with an audience in an auditorium.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so Mackenbach delivered a lecture in front of an empty auditorium two Fridays ago. But the great thing about that was that it was easy for a large number of people to watch the lecture online \u2013 much easier than for a large number of people to attend a regular on-campus farewell lecture. \u201cNormally, if people appreciate what you have done as a lecturer, a few hundred people will attend your farewell lecture.\u201d His pre-recorded farewell lecture was streamed on Friday afternoon and was viewed live by nine hundred people. That is the advantage of teaching lectures online.<\/p>\n

No drinks session<\/h2>

Afterwards, the lecture was posted on YouTube<\/a>, as well, where it has already garnered nearly two thousand views. \u201cThose numbers are overwhelming. I did miss one thing, though \u2013 the contact between all the people attending the post-lecture drinks session. Family, colleagues, friends. There was none of that this time around.\u201d Nevertheless, there were two pleasant surprises: a royal distinction and the Erasmus MC medal.<\/p>\n

The emeritus professor hired a special agency to help him record the lecture. The recording looks slick: the doors to the Auditorium open, and the professor, wearing his gown, enters the empty auditorium in slow motion. Music by H\u00e4ndel plays in the background, and once Mackenbach reaches the stage, his farewell lecture commences.<\/p>\n

\n\n
\n\t\t\n\t\tIngesloten inhoud van YouTube overslaan\n\t<\/a>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tI agree\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSee on YouTube\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<\/svg>\n\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t
\n\t\t