Rare high royal honour for UU alumnus Feike Sijbesma

On 3 September, Prime Minister Rutte presented a rare high royal honour to Feike Sijbesma, former CEO of Royal DSM and UU alumnus. Mr Sijbesma was praised for the transformation of DSM and in particular for his contribution to sustainability and society. Sijbesma was appointed Grand Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau, one of the highest royal honours.

Alumnus of the Year

Sijbesma (1959) studied medical (molecular) biology at Utrecht University. In 2016 he was Alumnus of the Year. He is a strong example of a conscious entrepreneur with a focus on the environment, sustainability, food and living conditions. He believes that companies have a bigger role to play than just making profits and returns. As CEO of DSM, he transformed the chemical giant into the most sustainable company in the sector.

"Be aware of the impact you can have and take the responsibility that comes with it"

Reset needed after corona

Last year, during the opening of the academic year 2020 of our university, Feike Sijbesma - then still special corona representative for the cabinet - was a guest in the College Tour Lecture we organised that day from TivoliVredenburg. He argued that it is important to strive for a major social reset, as soon as we have conquered the virus. A reset that our university wants to work on and contribute to in the future. Watch the lecture tour 'the big reset'

Grand Officer in the order Orange Nassau

The decoration of Grand Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau is one of the highest royal decorations and is not often awarded. An appointment to this order is granted for exceptional services to society.