Both Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts and TU/e President Koen Janssen emphasized on stage the strength of the TU/e collective and moving forward together. Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans was the guest and underlined the important role of universities in national security. A few brief interruptions by protesters did not stop the ceremony.
This year's theme was Building Blocks for the Future. Our TU/e community is one of those building blocks, emphasized President Koen Janssen in his speech, in which he drew attention to the One TU/e thought and the importance of unity and cooperation within the collective. Janssen: "Alone you go fast, together you go far."
ONE TU/E
Our university is developing a new institutional plan and, according to Janssen, stands at an important crossroads. After years of strong growth, and amid (geopolitical) uncertainty and debates about the role of universities, the president believes there is a need for greater flexibility, less work pressure, and more connection between departments. This means organizing more efficiently where it benefits TU/e, and giving space where it distinguishes TU/e. Janssen: "We must become one, One TU/e."
We must become one, One TU/e.
President Koen Janssen
Janssen also highlighted the drastic budget cuts in higher education. He finds this incomprehensible, especially since universities are more important than ever as sources of social progress and innovative ideas.
He pointed to the current disruptions caused by fake news and polarization, and emphasized the need to maintain prosperity, as Draghi stressed in his authoritative report on European competitiveness.
"Investing in education and research is the way forward,' Janssen said. 'Exactly the opposite of what our current government has done."
GRAY AREA BETWEEN WAR AND PEACE
During his speech, Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans outlined the gray area between war and peace in which we currently find ourselves. "As the old saying goes: if you want peace, prepare for war. The question is not what the military can do for society, but what society can do for the military."
According to the minister, innovation and new technologies are what make the difference today. "That is why this Brainport region is so crucial to our security."
Without you, without our technical universities, we cannot keep our country safe.
Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans
Brekelmans addressed TU/e and other technical universities specifically: "Without you, without our technical universities, we cannot keep our country safe. Without you, we cannot protect the values, freedoms, and way of life that we cherish so much."
Afterwards, a panel of experts discussed how The Hague can enable innovation clusters such as Brainport to flourish.
PANEL DISCUSSION
The group consisted of Eindhoven's mayor and former Minister of Finance Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Sophie in 't Veld (from 2004 to 2024 Member of the European Parliament), startup advisor and Lightyear founder Lex Hoefsloot, and researcher Maaike Okano-Heijmans, program head of Geopolitics of Technology and Digitization at the Clingendael Institute.
During the discussion, there were renewed calls for more investment in education and research, and the desire for a joint European internal market was also discussed.
LEARNING AND GROWING TOGETHER
Lastly, in her speech, Rector Silvia Lenaerts discussed stoicism and Ryan Holiday's book The Obstacle Is the Way. The idea is that you can't always control what happens, but you can control how you respond. That's why we need to let go of the illusion of control and perfection and trust our people instead, so we can learn and grow together.
Today is not about perfection, but about progress.
Rector Silvia Lenaerts
"Today is not about perfection, but about progress. Every challenge we take on and overcome together makes us stronger," Lenaerts emphasized.
New Strategic Advisory Board
In addition, the rector pointed to the new seven-member advisory board, consisting of leading thinkers from renowned partners, the Strategic Advisory Board (SAB). "The advice of the strategy board was clear. Do not dilute your strengths. Dare to choose. Support your people in making focused career paths. And let identity guide agility."
INTERRUPTION OF THE CEREMONY
The ceremony had to be interrupted several times due to disruptions by protestors, who rejected Minister Brekelmans' invitation to engage in dialogue after his speech.
President Janssen clarified that the TU/e board deplores the activists' actions. "This is an important moment that we celebrate with students, staff, and guests from the region and beyond."
Free space for debate and dialogue
"As a university, we are a free space for debate and dialogue, and there is plenty of room for demonstrations," Janssen continues. "We therefore gave the demonstrators space during the event to make their voices heard, and the minister offered to take questions from the demonstrators after his speech. The fact that the disruptions continued nonetheless, and that the invitation to dialogue was not accepted, is not in line with our core values. It shows a lack of respect for the minister and the visitors, and we therefore strongly disapprove of it."
OPENING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN PICTURES
Photos: Bart van Overbeeke
