On Monday, 10 November 2025, Erasmus University Rotterdam will celebrate its 112th Dies Natalis. This academic ceremony marks the founding of our predecessor, the Nederlandsche Handels-Hoogeschool, on 8 November 1913. Since then, the university has been dedicated to academic excellence, social engagement and international cooperation.
- Date
- Monday 10 Nov 2025, 15:00 - 16:30
- Type
- General
- Spoken Language
- English
- Space
- Aula
- Building
- Erasmus Building
- Location
- Campus Woudestein
Academic ceremony in the Aula
Academic ceremony in the Aula The celebration will begin, as is tradition, with the arrival of the cortèges: professors in gowns, the university board, and representatives of study and student associations. The Rector Magnificus will then deliver the Dies speech, in which she will reflect on the current challenges and ambitions of our academic community. Soon you can expect more information regarding the programme, and we will announce the other speakers and the musical act. Please be patient for a while longer.
Honorary doctorate
This year, one honorary doctorate will be awarded, nominated by Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). With this honorary doctorate, the university honours a prominent scientist whose work makes a special contribution to the field and the social relevance of business administration.
University prizes
The Dies Natalis is also the moment when the Research prize, the Lambers Student Excellence Award and the FAME Athena Award are presented to students and researchers from our community who have distinguished themselves remarkably. The Research Prize and the Lambers Student Excellence Award are made possible by the Erasmus Trustfonds.
Livestream
Dies Natalis can also be followed via a livestream that is publicly accessible. The language of the ceremony is English.
Reception
There will be a reception after the ceremony. The reception will take place from 16:30 to 17:30 hrs at the Theil Hall.
Photography & Video
Photographs and video recordings will be made during the Dies Natalis. You may be recognisable in the images. As a visitor, you consent to the storage and use of these images for commercial purposes.
Sustainability
The Dies Natalis will be a carbon-conscious celebration, with vegetarian catering and offsetting of CO2 emissions.
- More information
Do you have any questions? Please send an email to ceremonies@eur.nl.
