Alumni Day ’26 – Cycle Rally: In the Footsteps
of Ede Staal

On Saturday 13 June, we’ll be hopping on our bikes together for a unique alumni day: ‘In the Footsteps of Ede Staal’. An active day full of fun and a healthy dose of Hogeland, inspired by alumnus and local icon Ede Staal. You’ll cycle in groups and work together on quiz questions (in Dutch!) and creative tasks along the way. No Tour de France pace required: the route of around 45 km is suitable for everyone. We’ll round off the day with a convivial drinks reception featuring live music from TikTok Tammo. It is also possible to attend the drinks reception only. More information and registration.

Internationale conferentie Contested Transitions:
Law for Energy Justice

On Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 June, the international conference 'Contested Transitions: Law for Energy Justice' will take place in Groningen. The conference brings together scholars working on energy transition and justice from a legal perspective.
More information.

Rethinking the future of our economy: is sustainability entering a new phase?

On June 18, the FEB Alumni Network invites you to an interactive alumni event at Triodos Bank’s headquarters in Driebergen-Zeist. In a world shaped by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and shifting priorities, the path toward a sustainable and inclusive economy is no longer straightforward. How do we maintain momentum? What frameworks, innovations, and leadership are needed to move forward?
This event, moderated by Dr. Kim Poldner, Endowed Professor Circular Economic and Regional Development, features a dynamic fishbowl format: a small group of alumni and experts start the conversation, while an open seat allows you, as an alumnus, to actively join the discussion and share your perspective.
More information.

J.C. Kapteyn Lecture – Traces of Ancient Genes in Modern Life – Svante Pääbo

About 2.0% of the genomes of people living outside Africa come from Neandertals while about 5.0% of the genomes of people living in Oceania come from Denisovans. In this J.C. Kapteyn Lecture on Tuesday 14 April evolutionary geneticist and Nobel laureate Svante Pääbo explains that these genetic influences have numerous physiological and medical implications today, for example in relation to growth patterns and pain sensitivity. In English, also available via livestream.
More information.

25 years of Spiritual Care!

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Master’s programme in Spiritual Care. Would you like to help out during an event, do you have any photos or stories from your time as a student, or would you simply like to be kept informed about what’s going on? Send an email to alumni.rcs@rug.nl.

Every year, the University of Groningen sends a birthday poem to all alumni for whom we have an email address. The new poem, ‘Back’, was written by Marc Reugebrink (Dutch Language and Culture, 1987), a writer, poet and essayist who, among other accolades, won the Gouden Uil in 2008 for Het grote uitstel. His new novel, Laatste man, was recently published.
Donald Gardner made the English translation. Would you also like to receive the poem on your birthday?
Then sign up with your email address via www.rug.nl/alumni/update

PHOTO: SASKIA VANDERSTICHELE

Marc Reugebrink writes new Birthday poem

Nominate the Alumnus of the Year 2026

At the Opening of the Academic Year in September 2025,
Khalaf Alkhalaf received the ‘Athena Noctua’ award as
Alumnus of the Year. Previous winners have included
Stef van Grieken, Taku Mutezo, Iris de Graaf, Christiaan Triebert and Sander de Hosson.

You can still nominate a former student for the 2026 Alumnus of the Year award. Do you know an alum who:

• has made a special contribution to society, science, sports or
culture,
• is a source of inspiration for others,
• and is considered a further promise for the future.

Then submit your nomination and motivation 
before 15 april 2026 via alumni@rug.nl.
More information: rug.nl/alumni/alumnusvanhetjaar