Master's student Ralph Ivar Berkman attended special education and after a year of university of applied sciences, went on to university. Now he wants to build a bridge between special education and further education. With his foundation 'L'Oiseau Bleu', he won the Student Societal Impact Award 2025, which he received during the Opening Academic Year.
Ralph Ivar started his bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2019, which he combined with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy. He is now pursuing three master's degrees: Media & Creative Industries at Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC), Management of Innovation at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) and a part-time master's degree in Philosophy of Culture and Humanity at Tilburg University.
“Only you can set your own limits”
Ralph Ivar: 'It is, of course, a great honour to win the Student Societal Impact Award. Not only because it recognises the work that my team at L'Oiseau Bleu and I do, but also because it shows that only you can set your own limits. When you consider that I started out as a young person with an unstable home situation, then attended special secondary education and that I now have my own foundation, while completing three master's degrees... Then this is a wonderful recognition of what someone's possibilities can be, if they are in the right environment in which they can thrive.'
In an earlier interview, Ralph Ivar talked about his background and L'Oiseau Bleu: From special education to university: Ralph Ivar wants more people to know it is possible | Erasmus University Rotterdam
L'Oiseau Bleu
'Everyone has experienced events that have shaped them. You can use the experience you gain in life to make things easier for others who are going through the same thing.' With this in mind, Ralph Ivar, as a student in the honours programme at the Erasmus School of Philosophy, founded L'Oiseau Bleu in collaboration with the Bildung Academy in Amsterdam, a foundation dedicated to equal opportunities for students in special education. In his role as an expert by experience, Ralph Ivar offers an eight-week course for students in special secondary education who want to move on to vocational, higher professional or university education. The first edition took place last summer at the Hef House in Rotterdam. More about L'Oiseau Bleu
Assistance with the transition from special education to further education
Ralph Ivar reflects on a successful first edition of his eight-week programme. Ralph Ivar: 'We put together a really great programme, in which we welcomed seven young people. Every week, new speakers came to talk about society, what you can achieve and how you can effectively make the transition from special education to further education. There were such cool speakers! For example, a veteran from the former Yugoslavia, a creative writer, a video game champion, a Member of the European Parliament and professors from Erasmus University Rotterdam. I am also very grateful to members of my team such as Sarah Ghede and Pepijn Stoop, whose dedication made this programme possible.'
The programme will have a second edition and now that Ralph Ivar is pursuing a master's degree in Tilburg, the second edition of the programme will be offered not only in Rotterdam, but also in Tilburg, in collaboration with Janneke de Vos. Ralph Ivar: 'We are still looking for guest speakers who are keen to work on inclusive education and have a special/interesting story to tell.'
As if his studies and the foundation were not enough, Ralph Ivar is currently also working on a book. The book is intended as a contribution to the debate on inclusive education. It will feature stories from Ralph Ivar and Pepijn Stoop's experiences, social context by Lara Berkman, and philosophical reflections by Han van Ruler.
"He has made the impossible possible"
Jantine Schuit
Rector magnificus
From the jury report:
'L'Oiseau Bleu focuses on a social group for whom the path to higher education is not self-evident. In recent years, the EUR has been committed to providing better support for students with disabilities, and Ralph Ivar and his team guide this group through the crucial transition phase from secondary to higher education.
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The jury sees Ralph as a very charismatic leader, a role model for many students (locally and beyond) and someone who has overcome considerable personal challenges to set up an inspiring project based on pure inner motivation. In the words of the rector: he has made the impossible possible.'
About the Student Societal Impact Award
The Student Societal Impact Award is presented annually to a student or group of students who have taken or are taking action and have shown leadership in creating a positive societal impact. The award was created to support students in becoming game changers and embracing societal responsibility. The Student Societal Impact Award is made possible by the Erasmus Trust Fund.
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Ralph Ivar Berkman
You can read more about Ralph Ivar's story here: From special education to university: Ralph Ivar wants more people to know it is possible | Erasmus University Rotterdam
Would you like to help Ralph Ivar? Then email him at this email address..
Studying with a Disability
The Studying with a Disability (SMF) team at our university is committed to supporting students with disabilities.
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