UTFacultiesETEventsOpening Academic Year

Opening Academic Year

The University of Twente cordially invites you to attend its festive Opening of the Academic Year ceremony on Monday 4 September. The theme of this year’s ceremony is ‘A Taste of Red Hot Innovation'.

Opening Academic Year 2017-2018
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Recent rankings show that The Netherlands is an innovation leader in Europe and globally. At the same time, there is ample reason for concern. Our investments in innovation are low. How ready are our government, industry and academia to react effectively to sweeping technological developments? How can the University of Twente better position itself in the fierce international competition for research funds to tackle societal challenges?

Keynote speaker Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General for Research & Innovation of the European Commission, will share his view on research, innovation and competition during the Opening of the Academic Year ceremony. Robert-Jan Smits was at the basis of Horizon 2020, the 80 billion euro research programme of the European Union. He helped shaping the European Research Council and is widely considered a leading influencer in the debate on science and technology. For this role, Dutch KNAW recently awarded him the Academy Medal.

The Opening Academic Year will, among others, feature the presentation of our internationally competing student teams, the award ceremony for the 2017 Educational Prize, and music by famed pop band Rondé.

Please add this event to your calendar

  • Date:              Monday 4 September 2017
  • Time:             15.00 – 17.00, welcome at 14.15 hours
  • Location:       Waaier building, University of Twente
  • Highlights:     Keynote speaker Robert-Jan Smits, award ceremonies and Rondé

Looking forward to welcoming you on Monday, 4 September.

Kind regards,

The Executive Board

Victor van der Chijs

President

Opening Academic Year
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