UvA celebrates its 388th birthday

On Wednesday, 8 January 2020 the University of Amsterdam celebrated its 388th birthday or Dies Natalis. Rector magnificus Karen Maex opened the celebration with a speech in which she argued for new and fundamental reserach in an interdisciplinary context. Benjamin van Rooij, professor of Law & Society gave a Dies speech on 'Toxic organizations'. Honorary doctorates were awarded to neonatologist Diana Bianchi and earth scientist Johan Rockström. How do we keep up with the world? . Rector Karen Maex asked in her opening address how science and scholarship can keep up with a rapidly changing world. 'Major changes such as globalisation and digitisation, climate and the energy transition and the resilience and mental health of our society require new fundamental research in an interdisciplinary context,' said Maex.