Inaugural lecture Marian Thunnissen: ‘A Life Long Development: the vital double role of Higher Education’

On 4 March 2025 Marian Thunnissen will accept her chair as endowed professor in Life Long Development at Utrecht University. At 16.15 hrs. precisely, she will give her inaugural lecture at the aula of Utrecht University Hall entitled ‘Een Leven Lang Ontwikkelen: de vitale dubbelrol van het hoger onderwijs’ ('A Life Long Development: the vital double role of Higher Education’).

In her inaugural lecture, Marian Thunnissen highlights the role of higher education, universities of applied sciences and universities in facilitating lifelong development (LLD) of companies and the workforce in their region. This role has not yet developed sufficiently, she states. For decades, the focus has been on the task of higher education as educator of young people, the future professional professionals. Educating employees and adults is important, but not easy. Changes are slow. Nevertheless, Thunnissen sees great initiatives emerging that require scaling up. 

In addition, higher education institutions are also employers themselves, and they have a role in facilitating the lifelong development of their own employees. The learning and development of employees and the organisation is also not yet embedded in the institutions themselves. Higher education institutions are still quite internally focused, and breaking through existing bureaucratic systems requires time and perseverance.  

Opportunities for strengthening this dual role of higher education can be found in cooperation with partners in the region. For instance in collaborating, learning and innovating in learning communities. In addition, Thunnissen calls for LLD to be seen as a means and not as an end: use the substantive, social challenges as a driver of LLD and the cooperation on it.

Joining the lecture

Only guests can join the inaugural lecture at the Utrecht University Hall. Those expected, will receive an invitation for this. All others interested, can join the inaugural lecture online.