Based on the latest changes in corona rules, Studium Generale (SG) is now allowed to host lectures at the UT with full capacity, informs SG head Peter Timmerman. ‘Our lecture halls in Vrijhof can be full, which we are very happy about. However, all visitors will need to register upfront and they will need to show Covid-19 certificate through the CoronaCheck app or in print. We will have to double-check everyone when they enter – once for the corona pass and once for registration.’
The first SG event of the season is taking place on 21st of September, on the International Day of Peace. ‘On that occasion, we are organizing a debate titled ‘Rethinking security in Europe’, focused on whether there should be a European army,’ says Timmerman. ‘Ralf Becker - Coordinator of the German campaign Sicherheit Neu Denken -, who isn’t in favour of military-based security, will debate Colonel Han Bouwmeester from the Netherlands Defense Academy. I think it will be an interesting discussion on how to create a secure Europe.’
From the rest of the programme, Timmerman highlights ‘Th!nk with pride’ debate held on the 5th of October during the Rainbow Week 2021. At this event, a panel of UT students and staff members will talk about their experiences related to the LGBTIQ+ community.
As in previous years, November will bring the ‘Week of Inspiration’. This week-long programme in the days leading up to the UT’s Dies Natalis will open up with Marion Koopmans’ lecture on the origin of Covid-19. It will also include a talk by Mindy Howard, who specialises in the mental preparedness and coaching of astronauts and who will most likely be the first Dutch woman in space when she joins one of the commercial space flights in 2023.
The Week of Inspiration was meant to include an interview with artist Joep van Lieshout, who is creating an artwork in honour of the university’s 60th birthday. However, the completion of the sculpture is delayed and the interview has therefore been cancelled.
‘Apart from that, we sincerely hope that we can go on with our programme as planned,’ says Timmerman. ‘We are very excited that we can welcome people for a ‘science night out’ again. That wasn’t really possible last year.’
