Rector magnificus Jeroen Geurts
“When I see all of this together, I can only feel proud. What a wealth of educational innovations, ideas and commitment. From education in a prison context to nature as a learning environment, from climate issues to AI in healthcare. Everywhere I see people dedicating themselves wholeheartedly. This is education that truly matters. For our students and for the world around us. And that says a great deal about who we are as an educational community.”
Education Impact Award
This award recognizes teaching teams that demonstrably strengthen students’ learning processes. Two winning teams receive €15,000, with additional recognition for initiatives that contribute to the Institutional Plan. The winners receive support from the VU Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and a feature article in Onderwijs op Koers.
Winners
Anne Marie Slotboom and Elanie Rodermond (Faculty of Law)
With Closed doors, broader minds: Transformative learning through the Inside Out Prison Exchange Program
In this programme, VU students follow an academic course together with incarcerated students in a correctional facility. They learn as equal peers in one learning group, with dialogue, reflection and academic depth at its core. Based on the international Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, the concept challenges students to examine their assumptions and explore societal issues from multiple perspectives.
Mario Torralba and the trans-faculty team (Faculty of Science, School of Business and Economics, Amsterdam University College, VU Centre for Teaching and Learning and colleagues)
With Plato’s Garden: nature-based pedagogy in higher education
Plato’s Garden positions nature as an active “co-educator” within higher education. Through experiential methods – such as eco-walks, forest bathing, and art- and nature-based learning activities – students are invited to approach learning physically, sensorially and reflectively. The initiative connects sustainability, wellbeing and academic depth within a broadly applicable pedagogical framework.
Finalists
Denise van Diermen and Marije Petersen (Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam)
With DentEmergencyVR
A virtual reality learning design in which dentistry students practise acute medical emergencies in realistic scenarios. Students train in recognising and responding to complications, supported by targeted feedback and reflection.
Natalia Silvis Cividjian, Joshua Kenyon and Elias Groot (Faculty of Science)
With Autonomous Systems Engineering (ASE) Lab
A multidisciplinary learning environment in which students work with small-scale autonomous systems. The lab connects programming and engineering skills to societal, ethical and sustainability issues.
StudenTalent Award
This award is presented to a student who stands out for social or cultural engagement and serves as an inspiring role model. The winner receives €2,000 and is paired with a VU alumnus.
Winner
Sara Ben Hmido (Faculty of Medicine)
Sara is enrolled in the Master’s programme in Medicine and conducts PhD research on artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery. She teaches about healthcare innovation, mentors students and is committed to supporting first-generation students. She also represents young people in the National Youth Council.
Finalists
Aye Kari Soe (School of Business and Economics)
Aye is enrolled in the Master’s programme in Business Administration and connects entrepreneurship to social impact. She founded several initiatives focusing on geopolitics, human rights and financial empowerment, and served as SDG Voice of the Netherlands.
Eline van der Kaaden (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities/School of Religion and Theology)
Eline is enrolled in the Master’s programme in Theology and Religious Studies (Doopsgezind Seminary) and combines her studies with social engagement. She coordinates the Bridging Gaps programme, supports the Amsterdam Center for Religion, Peace and Justice Studies, and gives lectures on migration, peace and polarisation.
Master Thesis Award
The Master’s Thesis Award is presented to the Master’s student whose thesis demonstrates the strongest substantiated societal impact. Theses are assessed on impact, scientific quality, originality and relevance. The award includes a €2,000 prize and a pairing with a VU alumnus.
Winner
Roy Pontman (Faculty of Science)
With The Development of an Impact-based Flood Forecasting System based on Ensemble Precipitation Forecasts: A case study of the Geul Catchment
Inspired by the floods in Limburg in 2021, Roy developed an impact-based flood forecasting system. His model predicts water levels and where damage can occur. The system can issue warnings up to three days in advance and is now used by several organisations in the Netherlands and abroad.
Finalists
Nariman Metwally (Faculty of Medicine)
With Bronchodilator Response in Childhood Moderate-to-Severe Asthma: A Non-Invasive Biomarker for Clinical and Inflammatory Phenotyping
Nariman investigated bronchodilator response as a non-invasive biomarker in children with moderate-to-severe asthma. Her research bridges clinical practice and molecular science and offers perspectives for personalized treatment strategies that may reduce the need for invasive procedures.
Liza Pol (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities/School of Social Sciences)
With The Somatechnics of Contraception: How Bodily Experiences and Digital Environments Are Co-Constituted
Liza examined how digital environments and bodily experiences related to contraception influence one another. By combining interviews with an analysis of TikTok videos, she developed an innovative perspective on somatechnologies and affective dynamics.
Want to know more? Read the full jury report here.