Opening Academic Year 2024 - 2025

The Opening of the 2024 - 2025 Academic Year will take place on Monday 2 September 2024. The ceremony's theme is 'Academy and Freedom.'

The programme consists of several components, including an opening speech by rector Jacquelien Scherpen, the presentation of the Alumnus of the Year Award, and a keynote address. In addition, President of the Board of the University Jouke de Vries will give a speech, the new house poet of the RUG will recite a poem, and one of the GUF-100 students will give a short talk. Afterwards, there will be a reception. More information about the programme and signing up will follow.

Recap 2023 - 2024

The Opening of the 2023 - 2024 Academic Year took place on Friday 1 September 2023. The ceremony focused on imagination, invaluable in teaching and research. It drives discovery, learning and the search for solutions.

The programme included speeches, debates and musical interludes. The rectorship transfer also took place during the ceremony, during which Cisca Wijmenga said goodbye and Jacquelien Scherpen was officially installed as the UG's rector magnificus.

Read more about the 2023/2024 Opening of the Academic Year or have a look at the video and several photos below.

Photographer Pjotr Wiese took photos during the ceremony, which can be found on his website. Furthermore, photographer Gerhard Taatgen was present to take pictures. A small selection of their work: