UU anniversary: the outside world knocks on the door

“How many times can I fit the word ‘together’ into a single short sentence?” asked Hans Brug, Utrecht University's new President, in his speech to mark the university's 390th anniversary. UU marked the occasion with a celebration on Thursday afternoon in the Dom Church. “Together, we can improve the world and make it more sustainable, healthier and more open. And together, we can build a bridge between science, knowledge and society,” stated the university president. According to him, this is the crux of the matter and the strength of Utrecht University.

Whilst he expressed this hope for new connections, the outside world was loudly banging on the doors. For around forty pro-Palestine demonstrators, the occasion was not a Dies Natalis but rather a Dies Mortalis. Throughout the ceremony and long afterwards, they called on the university to sever all ties with universities in Israel, accompanied by a protester beating loudly on a large drum. “Israeli universities train soldiers, conduct research with the army and arms manufacturers, and oppress Palestinian students.”

Protest outside the Dom Church, photo: DUB

“I’m so glad to live in a country where people can do this,” said Brug. Rector Wilco Hazeleger had said a moment earlier: “Even though we can hear the people outside, we invite everyone to open the doors and windows, because that’s the right thing to do.” However, the doors remained closed and the protesters remained standing outside in the cold.

Make a difference
Inside, professors and students came together. They walked side by side during the procession, in an unprecedented display. Due to the demonstration outside, the procession did not cross Dom Square as is customary, but instead took an unseen route, passing through the Utrecht University Hall towards the Dom Church via Pandhof. There, the 78th anniversary year was officially opened, and the rector presented its motto: Connect, create change.

Gonneke Stevens, professor of Youth Welfare at the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Nienke Kuyvenhoven, from Jongerenwerk Utrecht, then spoke about the 8,500 young people living in poverty in Utrecht and how the university can conduct research that ultimately makes a difference for these groups. Through their project Minding the Gap, they have mapped out the impact of poverty on young people and the steps needed to improve their mental health. 

Their conclusions:

1) Young people and older people possess indispensable experiential knowledge. Involve them as partners in the research.

2) Not all professionals think the same way about poverty. They disagree on the causes and need to challenge each other more on this.

3) Collaboration is difficult. Acknowledge this.

4) Tackle the structural causes of poverty and do not focus solely on the individual or the family.

5) Research into poverty demands a great deal of flexibility from researchers.

The three honorary doctors with the Executive Board, photo by Bas van Hattum, Utrecht University

Honorary Doctor
The three honorary doctorates were also selected based on the university's relationship with society. The first laudatory address was for Professor Linda Theron, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. For twenty years, this researcher has conducted resilience research among young people in South Africa who face discrimination, stress, interrupted school careers and other challenges, yet who nevertheless courageously and hopefully strive to make something of their lives.

The second honorary doctorate was awarded to Professor Eranda Jayawickreme, Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, USA. This psychologist and philosopher is fascinated by how people from different backgrounds connect and by the cost when this fails. He investigates what is needed to grow as a person following traumatic events. The conditions for achieving post-traumatic growth appear unevenly distributed: structural inequality and political polarisation hinder these processes.

The third honorary doctorate recipient is Linda Nooitmeer, Head of the Social Services Department at Utrecht City Council and former chair of the National Institute for the History and Legacy of Slavery in the Netherlands. She received her honorary doctorate for her social work and her tireless campaign for recognition and redress of the harm caused by slavery. “True justice,” she said, “requires restoration and reparatory justice: the active elimination of institutional and socio-economic disadvantages. DUB had an interview with her this week.

The Lecturers of the Year with the Executive Board, photo by Bas van Hattum, Utrecht University

Teacher of the Year
The musical interlude was provided by the Utrecht Student Concert. They performed *L’Apprenti sorcier* (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) by Paul Dukas, conducted by Bas Pollard. As is customary at every Dies, Executive Board member Margot van der Starre had the honour of putting two lecturers in the spotlight who had been voted Teacher of the Year by students. This time, they were two Flemish academics: linguist Marijke de Belder and AI scientist Jeroen Ooge.

When asked about her motivations for teaching, De Belder replied: “It’s very meaningful, because education is the most important pillar of our society and democracy.” Ooge emphasised the importance of humour in education. During his brief acceptance speech, he said, “We all want to go outside and have a drink, let’s do the wave. All arms went up, and a wave swept through the Dom Church. “Everyone just does that, don’t they?” laughed Ooge.

Finally, students Anne and Niek performed the song Dreaming of Tomorrow for the first time, written for students by the Lustrum band Spuit11 from the Orca student rowing club. Afterwards, the procession, followed by the guests, made its way to the auditorium. Whilst drinks flowed, the protesters remained outside, beating their drums.

DUB interviewed Anne Zweers from Spuit 11 about the new student anthem for the 50th-anniversary album of the Orca rowing club. You can read the article here.