Four UU employees look back on their 2025

Nienke Willems, Management/Office Assistant, Education, Advice and Training Department

“I didn't understand it at first, but when it dawned on me, it was obviously the best news of the year”

What was the highlight of 2025 for you?
In September, I found out that I'm going to be a grandmother for the first time. I have two sons, and my youngest son and his girlfriend are expecting their first child in April. The way they told us was very special. They gave us a tour of their new house, which needs some renovation, and in one of the rooms, there was a note on the wall: 'Who wants to make this room beautiful for me by April?' I didn't understand it at first, but when it dawned on me, it was the best news of the year.

There were lots of little highlights at work. We have a great team and regularly organise lunches with the whole team. Last week, we had a Sinterklaas-themed lunch. We exchanged small gifts and played dice games. Activities like this make UU a really nice place to work.

What was the lowest point of 2025 for you?
I have little to complain about in terms of work, but having to pay for parking was a low point, I think. I find it strange to burden your employees with that. On a personal level, I was told this year that one of my knees is worn out, which is quite upsetting. I don't need a prosthesis yet, but you never know how things will go long term. I enjoy playing sports, but it's better for me to stop certain activities, even though the orthopaedic surgeon says I should keep moving. Tennis is one of my favourite activities, so I'm just going to keep doing it for now. Once I can't play on the court anymore, I'll just do it from the sidelines or behind the bar, hahaha!

Niyazi Sert, receptionist at the Langeveld Building

"I think it's special every time someone thanks me in a thesis"

What was the highlight of 2025 for you?
This year has had many highlights. My third grandchild, Yaren, was born at the beginning of the year. That was wonderful.  

But a highlight can be something as small as a personal card from a professor thanking me for helping with the catering, or being mentioned in the acknowledgements of a thesis. Things like that happen more often, but I find them special every time. Nobody has to thank the receptionist in writing, and the fact that such a thesis is also going international makes me smile. 

The invitation I received to the Christmas dinner of the Faculty of Social Sciences is also a highlight for me. It shows that your work is appreciated. I especially rearranged my shifts to attend.

What was the lowest point of 2025 for you?
Fortunately, I didn't experience any real low points this year, although I did have a bit of a scare earlier this year, when I hurt my back and had to be taken away by ambulance. I feared I had another hernia. It turned out to be lumbago, hahaha. I was back home the same evening.

Quite a few things have happened here at Science Park over the past year. Last October, our Director of Campus & Facilities passed away. That was very sad.

We also experienced some unpleasant situations related to the protests against the war in Gaza. We understand that people want to demonstrate, but UU buildings must be safe for everyone. So, when people want to protest inside, I refuse them. Handing out flyers is not allowed either, so I take those leaflets away, but people don't always understand that. I always remain neutral, though. That's part of my role as a receptionist. I'm here for everyone.

Anna Buren, Quality Assurance and IT Education Systems Officer, also a temporary Education Coordinator at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

"I started as a member of the UU Council, which was definitely one of the highlights of my year”

What was the highlight of 2025 for you?
I started this job this year, and I really enjoy it. I have many different tasks. It's actually two jobs in one, which makes it very broad, and I like that.

I also joined the University Council as a staff member this year, which has definitely been another highlight for me. Now, I have the opportunity to see how policy is made, and I enjoy getting my colleagues up to date about what is happening in the UU Council.

Take the discussion about the abolition of the skills lab at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine or the introduction of parking fees, for example. Thanks to my role as a council member, I have been able to direct staff members' questions to the right people. That's nice to do.

Now for a personal highlight: I got my driver's licence this summer. It wasn’t difficult, because I really enjoy driving, but I’m still incredibly happy that I got it.

What was the low point of 2025 for you?
I can't really think of any low points at work. Privately, that's a different story. Last October, my aunt passed away suddenly. That hit the whole family hard. She was still very young, only in her fifties.

Kees de Leeuw, employee at Utrecht University Library, city centre

“I have been working for Utrecht University for forty years now. This place feels like a second home to me”

What was the highlight of 2025 for you?
My 40th work anniversary, last October. Our team's manager posted a beautiful poem on the Intranet, and many employees from the University Library liked it. That made me feel good.

To celebrate, a small group of colleagues took me out to dinner at the Indonesian restaurant Djakarta, a little further down the road. We did the same thing for my 25th work anniversary. It was a lot of fun.

On a personal level, a highlight for me this year was spotting almost all the birds on my list. I've only been birdwatching for a few years, but I really enjoy it and, if I may say so myself, I take pretty good photos.

What was the low point of 2025 for you?
The occupation of university buildings by Palestinian protesters and the destruction that they caused. Like the building next door. That's when you lose my sympathy.

Protesters often lie down in front of the library's door, too. I became almost aggressive once, and a colleague had to restrain me. The fact that I had to step over people and ask permission to enter my own building made me angry.

I understand that people want to protest the war in Gaza, but I think the situation is more nuanced than that. You can't hold all Israelis responsible for the actions of the Netanyahu government.

Moreover, the university staff are not involved in that conflict. I have been working for Utrecht University for forty years now, and this place feels like a second home to me. So, those protests outside my door feel like more than just a nuisance.