Opening of the Academic Year: celebrate, protest, innovate

For the first time, the opening of the Academic Year was jointly celebrated by Saxion University of Applied Sciences and the University of Twente. In a “house for stories,” as Laurens ten Den chair of the event called the Wilminktheater several times during the ceremony.

While guests were entering the theatre, a lot was already happening outside in front of the building. Student associations carried their banners, there was music and dancing. Literally around the corner Palestinian flags were waving: a protest against cabinet policy on the war in Gaza. Behind that: signs criticising current cuts in education.

Threads

Meanwhile, the lights dimmed in the main auditorium. Everyone with a ticket was inside. A large screen above the stage was showing film of historical images. A voice spoke: “Long before there were campuses, there were threads...” A reference to Enschede’s textile industry and the seven hundredth anniversary of the city, but also to the theme of the day: Stronger together

After the traditional procession of professors and senior lecturers had taken their seats in the theatre, Inge Grimm, President of the Executive Board at Saxion, was invited on stage together with her colleague Vinod Subramaniam of the UT. They were immediately challenged by chair of proceedings, Laurens, to recite a well-known poem by Willem Wilmink about Enschede. Vinod, who referred to Dutch as his “sixth language”, even had a go at Twente dialect. His pronunciation of the word ‘Eanske’ was flawless.

Calls of protest

After a moment of silence in memory of UT and Saxion employees who passed away this year, the main guest: Prime Minister Dick Schoof took centre stage. Shortly after indicating that this day felt “like a home-coming, as an ex-Tukker,” a guest stood up in the back of the auditorium to protest loudly about the Dutch government’s stance on the Gaza war and education cuts. The demonstrator was called upon by host Laurens to move to the end of the row to engage in dialogue, but it never got that far.

After two protesters were escorted out of the auditorium, the planned programme resumed. Dick Schoof showed understanding of the critical comments about government policy, but also indicated that we need to “continue to listen to one another.” After which he picked up his story, and told how he, as an old Hengeloan knew the strength of the region. As opportunities, he cited the digital and the defence industries, which he said Twente “has in its backyard.”

Regional strength

The microphone went from Dick Schoof to Vinod Subramaniam, President of the Executive Board at the University of Twente. He called Enschede “our home.” A home for education and science, but especially for all new students starting their educational journeys. Vinod then addressed the Prime Minister directly with his criticism of the cuts in higher education. These are cuts that, according to the president of the UT board, have a negative impact on the carefully constructed ecosystem of knowledge and innovation in the region. After which he quoted the words of Derek Bok, former President of Harvard University: “...if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

Laurens ten Den then also addressed Dick Schoof: what is needed to safeguard the strength of this region? The Prime Minister recommended putting trust in education, entrepreneurship and more specifically in the collaboration between Saxion, the UT and ROC Twente. “Look where the opportunities lie,” he added. “You always have to make choices, and that is extremely complicated, but there are also opportunities: take them.” It was the prelude to Inge Grimm’s speech, who first of all referred to the symbolic value of the shawl she was wearing, a design by Saxion researcher Hellen van Rees. “This common thread symbolises both our textile past and the connecting of knowledge and collaboration in our region,” said Inge. She tried to convince the Prime Minister of Saxion’s function as a knowledge accelerator: “We want to be these threads here, that connection, just like in the fine fabric of the shawl ... Let’s continue to commit to collaboration and progress.”

Innovation 'op oale grond' (on home turf)

Time for a musical interlude. Where everybody knows your name, performed by Boukje Loohuis, former student of ROC Twente. It was a reference to the high percentage of former students who 'stick around' the region after they graduate. Talent that is much needed, in various sectors. And even if you move on, Laurens ten Den reminded us, you will always be welcome back on ‘oale groond’.

Certainly still active on ‘oale groond’, are the graduates, researchers and PhD students who were present yesterday. Several of them were put in the spotlight. First, the spotlight turned to several academic talents from the University of Twente. Next, Richard Wielinga, member of Saxion’s Executive Board, had the honour of presenting the Saxion Talent Awards. These awards included both the Graduation Award for Bachelor's students and the newly introduced Master's Thesis Award. Interior Design student Gina Hulshof won the former award for her remarkable thesis on grief processing: AFTER – a space to reflect on and connect with the theme of life after death. The first winner of the Master's Thesis Award was Charlotte Wohlmeiner, a student from the School of Creative Technology. Charlotte researched a seamless knitted pneumatic actuator – or ‘pump’ – for a completely artificial heart. She even managed to convert her research results into a working prototype.

Upside down

Next on stage were members of the Centre for Security and Digitalisation (CVD). Director Mark Dorenbusch explained to the audience how the CVD, located near Saxion’s Apeldoorn campus, enables the bundling of expertise in the fields of security and digitalisation. He said that the recent data breach at the Netherlands’ Population Screening Programme had highlighted the urgency and relevance of this topic.

After the CVD presentation, it was nearly time for the official opening act, which was to be performed by Roelof Bleker, Mayor of Enschede. From the stage he could nod to his fellow Twente mayors, also all present in the room. He expressed the desire for a world that is more sustainable and just, one in which we dare to push the boundaries together. There was a joint countdown. Then one push of a button. Three festive banners cascaded down, and the academic year was officially underway. DJ Robin Kwakman surprised the audience with the energetic rap ‘ENSCHEDAY’. He was flanked by a dazzling breakdance crew, including a UT alumnus who stood on his head. Hip-hop blended into the traditional sounds of Billy Joel’s ‘Piano man’, and we saw how two students waltzed into the new academic year with hope in their hearts – despite everything.

Photography: Eric Brinkhorst

​​​​​​Header image: Carolien Abbink-Kortman