Looking outward with the strength from within
Connecting as the magic word. Seeking new collaborations, presenting ourselves to the outside world with an open attitude and showing what we do. During the opening of the academic year on Tuesday afternoon, Dean Jasper Knoester emphasised that change and connection are necessary for the university to remain resilient. 'We can adapt.'
In the Atrium on the first floor of the Gorlaeus Building, Dean Jasper Knoester kicked off the new academic year with a speech in which he briefly looked back on last year and the summer, but above all focused on the future. A future in which developments are following each other in rapid succession due to the current zeitgeist. 'Budgets for education and research are under pressure. Our position, prestige and expertise in today's society can no longer be taken for granted either.'
Add to that the political tensions and protests and unrest caused by the situation in the world. 'At the same time, universities in Asia in particular are receiving increasing investment, and there is a world to be gained for us in terms of cooperation.'
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Dean Jasper Knoester opens the academic year. -
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Key Region Leiden as an example of connection
Knoester therefore emphasises the importance of new collaborations in order to overcome all challenges. Not only nationally, but certainly also internationally. As an example, he cites the ‘Key Region Leiden’, a high-tech ecosystem in which seven municipalities collaborate with three knowledge institutions and three campuses driven by innovation: the Leiden Bio Science Park, the NL Space Campus and Unmanned Valley. 'This collaboration can stimulate new areas of research that may lead to new inventions, technologies and applications, including ensuring their sustainability. And, more importantly, to new sources of funding.'
To achieve this, six scientific themes have been identified that serve as platforms to ‘make our collective strengths in these areas visible to the outside world and to promote collaboration and funding,’ explains Knoester. 'We hope to announce the leaders of these six themes later this month.'
Knoester concluded with a clear message: ‘We are making great strides in all facets of our work, despite the challenges we face. We are proud of that.’
Krijn Rietveld Memorial Awards
Next up was Hans Roubos, dsm-firmenich director and Senior Science Fellow Data Science & AI. He presented the annual Krijn Rietveld Memorial Awards. dsm-Firmenich and the Leiden University Fund (LUF) established this award in 2020 in memory of Krijn Rietveld (1956-2018). The awards highlight innovative research that contributes to a sustainable world.
According to Roubos, these awards reflect the ‘spirit of progress’ that is also evident in his company. 'Our scientific and research capabilities are leading in the industry. We are committed to achieving progress through collaboration and leveraging digital innovation.'
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dsm-firmenich-director Hans Roubos presents the annual Krijn Rietveld Memorial Awards. -
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Simon Christian Hansmann receives the Graduate Societal Impact Award. -
Marieke Vinkenoog wins the Krijn Rietveld Doctoral Societal Impact Award.
Bringing progress to life
Two winners were chosen from nine nominees and accepted their awards on stage. Simon Christian Hansmann received the Graduate Societal Impact Award and Marieke Vinkenoog won the Krijn Rietveld Doctoral Societal Impact Award. One used 3D-cell-models to study colon cancer, the other used machine learning for efficient blood donation. ‘I would like to thank all the nominees and winners who contribute to our mission of bringing progress to life. This is how we celebrate the legacy of Krijn Rietveld: scientific excellence, collaboration and societal impact,’ Roubos concludes.
Finally, Joost Batenburg took to the stage for a Tuesday Talk. The professor of Computer Science gave an inspiring talk about the future of 3D Interior Imaging and his dream of making this tool as fast, flexible and interactive in real-time as modern vision technology. He also talked about real-time 3D CT scanning and the possibilities he sees in the distant future. LIACS will soon be opening a ‘Physical Twin lab’ where real-time interactive research can be conducted.
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Joost Batenburg gives a Tuesday Talk about 3D Interior Imaging. -
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Happy Science
Then the official part came to an end and everyone was positioned for a group photo. Instead of ‘say cheese’, everyone shouted ‘Happy Science’, with Dean Jasper Knoester as the beaming centre of attention.
The unofficial part, consisting of drinks, catching up and a live band, then kicked off. There were also guided tours of the newly opened rooftop garden on top of the bicycle shed. A surprise for some colleagues, others couldn't wait to see the garden in real life. Like Nemi Dorst, guest researcher at LIACS, who went to take a look straight away. 'What a wonderful initiative, I will definitely come here more often and keep an eye on what is growing and blooming.'