Hüseyin Ali Kudret wins the 2024 Katadreuffe Prize for the most remarkable law student
The 2024 Kattadreuffe Prize for a remarkable law student at Utrecht University has been awarded to Hüseyin Ali Kudret. In addition to studying law, Hüseyin is supporting LGBTQI+ asylum seekers in the Netherlands, through COC Nijmegen and the Amnesty International Student Group Utrecht.
They assist LGBTQI+ asylum seekers by providing practical information and organising workshops on their rights, including issues around discrimination and refugee law. Leveraging their knowledge and networks, they work to mitigate challenges between state officials and LGBTQI+ asylum seekers. They also conduct research in asylum centres and, together with their team at Cocktail Nijmegen, contribute to creating safer spaces for LGBTQI+ refugees. Through organising social events, they help asylum seekers feel welcomed and reduce isolation as they settle in the Netherlands. Hüseyin is also chairman of the editorial board of Amnesty International Student Group Utrecht (AISU).
The Katadreuffe Prize jury said about Hüseyin, among other things: Hüseyin is a student with a refugee background and completed the Master's programme in Public International Law this year. They already have a long track record of protecting the rights of refugees, especially those of LGBTQI+ refugees, and they do so not without personal risk. It makes them a remarkable student.
The jury was particularly impressed by the passion the winner shows for making people feel welcome and safe in the Netherlands.
First generation students
The jury of the Katadreuffe Prize 2024 saw that there are a number of similarities between the nominees this year. The first is that studying was not self-evident for them, as a first-generation student, a migrant student, and/or as some call it, a “stacker”. The second, and perhaps most important, is how they approach life: positive and full of energy, not giving up and above all selflessly looking after others. And the third and relevant aspect for this prize, they build a bridge between abstract legal knowledge and concrete, social problems – and do so in a direct, personally involved way.
The jury congratulates all three nominees and especially the winner, Hüseyin Ali Kudret!
Nominee Açelya Eroğlu
The jury: Every day we are confronted with the terrible images from Gaza and we remember the terrorist attack of October 7 in Israel. The drama creates deep rifts in society. Açelya was nominated by fellow students and nominated by the jury because of the way in which she hopes to create connections between groups on both sides of that divide. Both inside and outside the university. She is a member of the Faculty Council and also uses social media and personal contact as a medium to bridge the gap.
Now you might think how can you make a difference as an individual? Açelya expressed it as follows: 'I may be a small light in the darkness, but I am a light!' It makes Açelya a remarkable student.
Genomineerde Marwan El Khattabi
The jury: Marwan is involved in the Sirius study association and the Molengraaff Dispuut, and was nominated by fellow students. He was nominated mainly because of his commitment to Moroccan-Dutch students, secondary school pupils and pupils of primary school age through his work within the Young Leaders Community and the Talent Academy that it organizes annually. The Talent Academy prepares Moroccan-Dutch children from groups 7 and 8 for secondary education and ensures that they are more confident. In doing so, he contributes to the future generation(s) that represent the Netherlands, and hopefully to future Utrecht University students. This special commitment in addition to his studies makes Marwan a very remarkable student!
The Jury
This year the jury consisted of:
- Mr. Petra klein Gunnewiek (Attorney Van Benthem en Keulen)
- Dr. mr. Lucas Roorda (UD International Law)
- Lisanne van Holland (student and board member Molengraaffdispuut))
- Maria Wisse (student and board member of the JSVU)
- Prof. Bald de Vries (chairman of the jury and HL interdisciplinary education)
Over de Katadreuffeprijs
The Katadreuffe Prize has existed since 2012 and was created by Professor Ivo Giessen, Professor of private law and is awarded once a year to a 'remarkable' student (or group of students).
The aim of this prize is not only to put one student in the spotlight, but also to inspire you, newly admitted students - and the lawyers of tomorrow - to get the best out of yourself and your studies, and to commit yourself to the University and society in the broad sense. The prize consists of a cash prize of €500,-- as well as a copy of Bordewijk's novel Karakter signed by Professor Giesen.
Those who know will have noticed by now that the prize is named after Katadreuffe, the main character in the book Karakter by F. (Ferdinand) Bordewijk, and a remarkable figure. What makes a student “remarkable” to be eligible to be nominated? We interpret this in a broad sense: someone with character, distinctive with a valuable, lasting contribution to, for example, the university, faculty, department, society, city, sports, etc., insofar as this is directly or indirectly related to following a bachelor's or master's degree program at the Department of Law of Utrecht University.