In 2021 Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht celebrated 385 years of science in Utrecht. The theme of this lustrum: Creating tomorrow together. Sounds logical, doesn't it? After all, we can only achieve a better world by joining forces. And our alumni turn out to be particularly good at this. We talked to a number of alumni about how they see the future and with whom they are working extremely hard to reach a better tomorrow.
"My dream is a just, sustainable world with an economy that works for all life on earth" — Lena Hartog
Floortje Geerdink
Together with her colleagues, Floortje Geerdink (Law) is committed to a safe society in which justice is predominant. I stand up for society and the victim. And at the same time, I always look at the person of the suspect. How do we ensure that the suspect makes a different choice next time?
Maikel Kishna
There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. That is a well-known Buddhist wisdom. For Maikel Kishna (Science- and innovation Management), taking a step every day is also the way to start the transition to a circular economy. 'I see major challenges for the Netherlands.'
Lena Hartog
The clothing industry emits more CO2 than international aviation and sea transport combined. The sector is also a major consumer of water. But can you change this as an individual? Lena Hartog (University College Utrecht), climate activist and director of CollAction, is convinced that it can and also knows how.
"A large case like the Childcare benefit scandal underscores the importance of collaboration" — Eva González Pérez
"If the coronavirus pandemic has made anything clear, it’s that we can’t all stay isolated in our respective fields. The solutions have to come from all possible perspectives" — Marion Koopmans
"People tend to think that success is determined entirely by individual choices, or that there are a few secret tricks to it" — Rutger Bregman
Rutger Bregman
An important moment for Rutger Bregman was during his History degree programme, when he realised that he wasn’t cut out for a career in academia after all. 'I decided to only write things I understood myself.’
Lineke Maat
Alumnus Lineke Maat (Interdisciplinary Social Sciences) wants to inspire Utrecht’s residents to be more curious about each other. As director of the foundation Taal Doet Meer, she works to help Utrecht’s non-native speakers improve their language skills.
Thomas Dorlo
If you study pharmaceutical sciences, it’s a logical step to work in the pharmaceutical industry or become a pharmacist. I quickly realised that wasn't for me.’ Instead, alumnus Thomas Dorlo (Farmacie and Drug Innovation) is aiming to make reliable medication available to everyone.
"You can really make an impact if you also build sustainable homes for people who aren’t specifically looking for that" — Gert van Vugt and Jacintha Baas