UTFacultiesTNWNewsSymposium and oration Herman Offerhaus inspires TN students

Symposium and oration Herman Offerhaus inspires TN students

ON THURSDAY 20 APRIL 2023, THE MINI-SYMPOSIUM "THE ACADEMIC WORLD: FROM STUDENT TO PROFESSOR" TOOK PLACE.

During this symposium, TN students were introduced to the ceremonies of the academic world, and the different ways to pursue a career path to become a professor were explained. This way, the students were well prepared for the oration of Herman Offerhaus that took place later that afternoon.

INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC PROMOTIONS AND ORATIONS

After a shared lunch in Homebase Carré, where around 70 TN students could catch up with each other, everyone was picked up by the beadles Wim Koehorst and Raymond Linderhof at exactly 1:00 PM. The beadles were dressed in their gowns (traditional academic clothing) and opened the symposium by stamping their university staff on the ground three times. They then led the students in a cortège to Waaier 4, where Sissi de Beer (Programme Director TN) explained to the students what was going to happen that day. Sissi, Wim, and Raymond then presented the customs and rules during academic promotions and orations based on Sissi's own career. Afterward, there was plenty of opportunity for questions, which the students gratefully took advantage of.

The first session was ended by beadle Wim by stamping on the ground with his staff and shouting:

‘Dr. De Beer, de tijd is verstreken!’

CAREER ADVICE AND ORATION

After a short break, the students went to Carré 3C where TN lecturers Devaraj van der MeerStefan KooijRebecca Saive, and Jelmer Renema talked about their careers and gave the students various advice for the future. Again, there was plenty of room for questions and discussions, led by S&T Dean Jennifer Herek.

After the second session, the students could enjoy coffee and something sweet in the Waaier Foyer before the day ended with Herman Offerhaus' oration. During the oration, the students saw in a full Waaier 2 hall how the ceremony, which was explained earlier that afternoon, actually took place. After the oration, there was an opportunity to chat and have a drink during the reception. The students were extremely enthusiastic about the symposium and Herman Offerhaus' oration and confirmed that they had learned a lot. Several students indicated that they now also consider an academic career thanks to the symposium.

The S&T faculty and the TN program look back on a successful day. Given the success, more of these types of events will certainly be organised in the future.