UT and Saxion mark start of new academic year together

The University of Twente and Saxion University of Applied Sciences jointly opened the 2025–2026 academic year in the Wilminktheater in Enschede on Monday. The ceremony centred around the motto Stronger together: highlighting the importance of connection between students, lecturers, government – locally, nationally and internationally. The event also coincided with Enschede’s 700th anniversary, linking academic tradition with the wider community.

Procession and poetry

The day began with a procession of professors and lecturers, dressed in academic gowns, walking from the town hall to the Wilminktheater. The centuries-old academic tradition was thus made visible in the heart of the city. During the ceremony, culture also had a place, with a creative rendition of Willem Wilmink’s poem Textielstad, connecting Enschede’s industrial past to the resilience and innovative strength of the present.

Resilience of the city and institutions

University of Twente president Vinod Subramaniam emphasised that resilience in his speech. He described how Enschede managed to recover after disasters such as the great city fire, the collapse of the textile industry and the fireworks disaster. “We are stronger together,” he said, pointing to the cooperation between the university, the University of Applied Sciences and vocational colleges. According to him, the knowledge institutions make an undeniable contribution to the prosperity of the city, the region and the country.

Criticism of budget cuts

At the same time, Subramaniam voiced strong concerns about the government’s budget cuts. According to him, the university and the university of applied sciences are being forced to make painful choices that jeopardise the future of education and research. He stressed that knowledge is the Netherlands’ most important natural resource, which only retains its value if continuously invested in. Quoting: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” He also warned that the country’s international reputation and long-term collaborations are at risk due to the government’s new course.

The red thread of Saxion

Saxion president Inge Grimm opened her speech with a striking symbol: a scarf designed by textile designer and researcher Hellen van Rees, affiliated with the Saxion research group Sustainable and Functional Textiles. The red thread in the scarf referred both to Enschede’s textile heritage and to the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the region. Grimm described Saxion as a “knowledge accelerator,” with more than 25,000 students and 3,000 staff, positioned at the heart of society and speeding up innovation through applied research. At the same time, she pointed to the heavy pressure of government cuts and argued for a funding system not based solely on student numbers but on the societal importance of programs. “Only through collaboration can progress be made. Our students are the makers of the future,” she stressed, citing many examples of Saxion students contributing to city and region.

A prime minister returning home

Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who grew up in nearby Hengelo, met beforehand with students and staff. In a letter, they had expressed their objection to his visit, citing concerns about the budget cuts and the situation in Gaza. Demonstrators also gathered outside the Wilminktheater, and a few voices of protest were heard inside the hall as well. During the meeting, students and staff reiterated their concerns. In his speech, Schoof acknowledged that criticism but stressed the importance of dialogue and academic freedom. “A real dialogue, in which everyone feels free to say what they think, is a benchmark for the state of our democracy,” he said.

Read the full speech here (in Dutch).

Twente as a centre of knowledge and innovation

The prime minister praised the region for its strong position in defence, high tech and public-private collaboration. He referred to the €72 million the government has reserved for Twente to educate additional talent. “The building blocks for our future are being created here,” Schoof said. He also pointed to Twente’s role in international value chains, through collaboration with companies and hospitals, and the visible growth of the high-tech manufacturing industry.

Collaborating in Apeldoorn

How such collaboration takes shape in practice was illustrated in a panel discussion about the Centre for Security and Digitalisation (CVD) in Apeldoorn, a joint initiative of Saxion and the University of Twente. The centre brings together education, research, government and business on issues such as digital security and societal resilience. It was presented as a striking example of how the region contributes to national and international challenges.

Van den Kroonenberg award

During the opening of the academic year, the University Fund Twente its annual Van Den Kroonenberg Award to UT alumni Herman and Jelle Klein Teeselink of HoSt Bio-Energy. Herman founded the company, while his son Jelle has been part of the management team since 2020 and now continues the family business as CEO. The award is presented each year to entrepreneurs with a UT background who have successfully brought a start-up to market.

Afstudeerprijzen

The University of Twente presented five graduation awards – one per faculty. The 2025 winners are: Jara Martens (BMS), Amy ten Berge (ET),  Snigdha Roy Dev (ITC), Yana Hecking (TNW) and Sjoerd van den Belt (EEMCS). Each received a certificate and a € 1,000 cheque.