UvA celebrates 381st Dies Natalis (anniversary)
Rector Magnificus encourages students to become 'competent rebels'
On Tuesday 8 January 2013, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) celebrated its 381st Dies Natalis (anniversary).
In her opening address prof. Dymph van den Boom, Rector Magnificus of the UvA, talked about academic education and the need for students to become ‘competent rebels’. Anita Hardon, professor of Anthropology of Health and Social Care, gave the Dies speech entitled ‘De geheimen van global health’ (the secrets of global health). After an introduction given by the mayor of Amsterdam Eberhard van der Laan, honorary doctorates were presented to astronaut Andre Kuipers and Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons and the Tata Group. The afternoon concluded with the presentation of the ‘UvA Lecturer of the Year 2012’ prize to Jan van Maarseveen.
Opening speech
Rector Magnificus Dymph van den Boom talked about academic training in her opening speech entitled ‘Een beetje moeilijker graag’ (a bit more difficult please). Prof. Van den Boom stated that the University should not follow trends in the knowledge economy but help shape them. Moreover, she emphasised that it is vital when providing an academic education to students to ensure they continue to think critically, ask questions and use their analytical skills in order to solve the big questions of tomorrow. She stressed that students should, where necessary, ‘not only distrust the words of teachers, but also be able to replace them with better alternatives’.
Dies speech
In her speech entitled ‘De geheimen van global health’ (the secrets of global health), Prof. Anita Hardon talked about problems relating to global health. She stated that health care and illnesses are increasingly global issues and that interdisciplinary research is needed to unravel secrets and find solutions.
Honorary doctorates
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) awarded honorary doctorates to the Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist Ratan Naval Tata and Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers.
Tata received an honorary doctorate for the significant contribution he has made to the global expansion of the Tata Group, in which he has combined economic growth with a comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme. Kuipers was honoured for successfully making science accessible to a wide audience and the way he has brought together different scientific disciplines in his work.
Jan van Maarseveen: UvA Lecturer of the Year
The Dies Natalis ended with the presentation of the UvA Lecturer of the Year 2012 prize. The nominees were:
-
Dr Francio Guadeloupe (Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology)
-
Ms A. Kootstra (Social Sciences)
- Dr G. van Donselaar (Philosophy)
-
Dr J.H. van Maarseveen (Natural and Social Sciences)
-
Prof. M.L.L. Volman (Educational Sciences)
After the jury report had been read out, jury president Zilla Lupina van der Spek (second year Political Science student and project leader for the campaign team of the Lecturer of the Year prize) handed the award to new Lecturer of the Year Jan van Maarseveen.