What does a society look like that can take a defeat and come out stronger? On Monday 31 August 2026, this question was central to the Opening of the Academic Year 2026 - 2027 of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Under the title 'Utopia? Building resilient societies', the university explored together with partners how knowledge, innovation and collaboration can lead to lasting societal impact.
Utopia? as a starting point, not as an end image
In the auditorium on campus Woudestein, Utopia? was placed as an invitation to look at the world anew. How do you create societies that are not only resistant to climate change, energy transition, digitalisation and social inequality, but actually become stronger as a presenter sult? And what does that require from universities, governments, companies and civil society organisations that say they want to make an impact?
Cities as training grounds for resilience
The programme, led by host, alumnus and presenter of the Dutch tv show Klokhuis Nizar El Manoouzi, brought together inspiring speakers from public administration, academia and the Erasmus community. Mayor Tomislav Tomašević of Zagreb, one of the cities within the UNIC network, showed how a European city can function as a testing ground for resilience. He outlined how collaboration between the local council, universities and residents contributes to a future-proof city, for example in the context of climate adaptation. Social policy plays an important role in this, because: “you cannot have a resilient city without having resilient citizens.”
Reliable energy systems
Associate Professor Yashar Ghiassi-Farrokhfal of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) linked this urban practice to his research into the energy transition and resilient energy systems. “The challenge we are facing today is no longer purely an engineering challenge. The real challenge is coordinating millions of interconnected decisions by several stakeholders. This requires interdisciplinary skills and strong university-industry collaboration. And that is exactly where Erasmus University has something to contribute.”
Towards inclusive innovation, where people take centre stage
“Behind every system are people who must carry it,” said Prof. Dr Annelien Bredenoord, Chair of the Executive Board, reflecting once again on the role of Erasmus University Rotterdam in this regard. “That is why we choose at Erasmus University for human-centred and inclusive innovation. Not the promise of a utopia. Nor the acceptance of dystopia. But the ambition to contribute, step by step, to a more human, more inclusive and more resilient society. That is what we work on, through our five impact domains.” She emphasised how important it is not only to devise solutions, but also to put them into practice in collaboration with partners in the city, the region and across Europe.
Educational innovation, equal opportunities and smart sustainability in the awards
The Opening of the Academic Year is also the time to honour students and staff who make an exceptional contribution to education and society. The Education Prize 2026 went to Dr. Ginie Servant-Miklos, associate professor at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) and founder of the Bildung Climate School. In this programme, MBO, HBO and WO students work together in mixed learning communities on real sustainability issues. The jury praised the Bildung Climate School as an exemplary educational innovation that links academic excellence to societal relevance and fits seamlessly with the university's strategy.
The Student Societal Impact Award went to the StudieBoost Foundation. This foundation is committed to equal opportunities in higher education by intensively guiding students with a non-traditional or less privileged background. The mentoring program, in which participants are supported one-on-one by trained mentors, provides demonstrable improvement in academic performance, well-being and the sense of community.
The Sustainability Award 2026 was awarded to the initiative ‘Fostering Smarter Implementation of EU Sustainability Legislation through Transdisciplinary Education’. Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus School of Economics and Rotterdam School of Management are gathering their expertise and networks to work with partners in civil society towards a more effective implementation of European sustainability legislation in practice.
Two winners of the Rotterdam Thesis Prize
Finally, a special edition of the Rotterdam Thesis Prize: in a highly exceptional move, the jury decided to name two winners. Not so much because the winning theses were ‘equally good’, but because they belong to entirely different academic traditions. As a result, both criminologist Stephanie Habets and economist Hugo van den Belt were presented with the prize. The newly graduated alumni won the prize for their thesis on respectively how young people in Rotterdam are drawn into the criminal underworld via social media, and the Purchase Protection Act (Wet Opkoopbescherming) in Rotterdam.
Read the speech by our Chair of the Executive Board, Annelien Bredenoord
Watch the full broadcast
Photos Opening Academic Year 2026/2027
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The event was hosted by Nizar El Manouzi, a student at our university and well-known as the presenter of Het Klokhuis. The student band Lady Bits provided the music.
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