OPENING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010 –
SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

  The event marking the opening of
   the academic year 2009-2010,
  held on the first Monday in
  September, traditionally began with
   the procession of Nyenrode’s
  faculty in their gowns and
  mortarboards. When they had
  taken their seats, President Henjo
  Hielkema started the proceedings
  by wishing all those present a
  happy   and productive year and
  particularly welcoming Maurits
  van Rooijen, the new rector
  magnificus.

Prof. Dr. Leen Paape, the Dean of the School of Accountancy and Controlling, began his address by giving some background on the distinguished career of keynote speaker Jules W. Muis. His second task was to tell the audience something about the 15-year history of NIVRA-Nyenrode, which at the start of the new academic year dropped NIVRA from its name.

  Paape captured the challenge posed by the
  current economic situation in three words:
  “being in control”. He said we must find out
  what went wrong, adding: “Perhaps some
  of the guilt should be dumped on our own
  doorstep.” Comparing the academic gowns
  in the audience to a priest’s attire, he
  emphasized the need to practice what
  you preach. 

  Keynote speaker Jules Muis, formerly
  Vice-President of the World Bank,
  Director-General of the European
  Commission and President of
  NIVRA, described himself as 
  an over-65 student in accountancy,  
  gave a lecture which consisted of afterthoughts on the predictable, inevitable or preventable characteristics of the financial crisis. He also scouted possible root causes of a next crisis.

The next speaker, Pieter Billiau, is the chairman of the Heeren Vijf, the governing body of Nyenrode’s student association NCV. He spoke on integrity, a concept which he
said has lost its meaning. What matters, he said, is that you remain true to the little
boy or girl you once were.

  After an entertaining video interlude featuring a scale model of Nyenrode castle at the
  Madurodam theme park in The Hague, Prof. Dr. Willem Burggraaf, Dean of the
  Nyenrode Business School, spoke a few final words. “Nothing is little, or great, other
  than by comparison,” he said, quoting from Jonathan Swift’s classic novel Gulliver’s
  Travels. Nyenrode may not be large compared to other educational institutions, but its
  teaching of leadership and entrepreneurship and emphasis on teamwork and
  cooperation set it apart from other organizations. 

  Burggraaf is looking forward to cooperating with his fellow dean, Leen Paape. “Only
  through cooperation can we achieve academic excellence,” he said. He encouraged
  students to get involved in the quest for quality, and concluded the formal part of the 
  afternoon by declaring the 2009-2010 academic year open.

Download the detailed report about the Opening of the Academic Year 2009 – 2010


Speeches


Watch the short movie about the re-opening of Nyenrode castle at the Madurodam theme park in The Hague