Academic Year Opening 2025-2026
Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) will open the new academic year on Tuesday 9 September 2025 from 15.00 to 18.15 hrs with an inspiring afternoon in the Chapel of the Horizon Building. During this gathering, we will explore how diversity and inclusivity can serve as drivers for innovation and distinctiveness.
- About BUas
- Education
About the event
The opening event will provide insights into how diversity and inclusivity can stimulate innovation and distinctiveness, both within BUas and in society at large. The programme will demonstrate how embracing diversity and ensuring accessibility can lead to more creative solutions and a more equitable society. Additionally, the renewed strategic direction of BUas will be presented.
Speakers
- Joris Luyendijk - Journalist, author and anthropologist who, with his book about the 'seven checkmarks' (white, highly educated, speaking standard Dutch, heterosexual, male, living in the urban Randstad area, with highly educated parents), has sparked the debate on social inequality and inclusion in the Netherlands.
- Jorrit Snijder - President of the Executive Board of BUas. He will discuss the updated and refined strategic direction of BUas and the key strategic choices that will define our profile and position as a distinctive university of applied sciences.
- Lobke Elbers - Strategist and moderator working at the intersection of research and innovation in tourism, hospitality and leisure. On behalf of BUas and CELTH, she leads national and European projects for future-focused change and innovation.
- Lecturer Marco van Leeuwen & Students from the World Leisure Congress field school – They will present their research on 'Accessibility in Leisure: How to Make Leisure and Events Accessible for Everyone', exploring how cities can use these insights to distinguish themselves.
The gathering will conclude with an informal drinks reception, providing participants with an opportunity to discuss the insights and ideas shared during the presentations.
Programme
15.00 hrs Welcome by Ingrid Timmermans (Member of the Executive Board) and Ajay Kapur (Academy Director, Academy for Leisure & Events)
15.15 hrs Opening by Lobke Elbers
15.25 hrs Keynote by Joris Luyendijk
16.15 hrs Field school presentation
16.23 hrs Intermezzo
16.50 hrsClosing remarks by Jorrit Snijder
17.15 hrs Drinks and canapés
