Academic ceremony
Opening of the Academic Year
- Date
- Monday 31 August 2026
- Time
- Explanation
- Followed by drinks reception until 18:00 hrs.
- Location
- Amare
Spui square 150
2511 DG The Hague
For the first time in our history, we are celebrating the start of the academic year in The Hague – our second home for 25 years, where a quarter of our students study and over 700 of our staff work.
One university in two cities
Leiden and The Hague: together we celebrate that Leiden University is one university, rooted in two cities.
At the Opening of the Academic Year, the mayors of the two cities – Jan van Zanen (The Hague) and Peter Heijkoop (Leiden) – will discuss what it is like to be the mayor of a knowledge city, and reflect on their own experiences at university.
More about Leiden University in two cities
Leiden University and the city of Leiden have been inseparably linked since 1575. The university’s six faculties are housed in distinctive buildings across the historic city centre and the Leiden Bio Science Park. Together with the many students, they contribute to the city’s unique character and vibrant atmosphere. The former university library, the Hortus botanicus and the Old Observatory are among the university’s most iconic buildings.
Since 1998, Leiden University has also had a presence in The Hague. All our faculties are now represented there, with research and teaching closely aligned with the themes of this international city of peace, justice and security. Our research and teaching in The Hague focus on topical themes such as international cooperation, security, governance, the economy and urban development.
The Hague is a natural place for the university to be: students study and conduct research at the heart of a network of ministries, international organisations, NGOs and businesses. During their studies, they work with real-world partners and learn how research contributes to solutions to complex societal challenges.
AI and the future of our university
AI is changing the way we learn, collaborate and conduct research. What do these developments mean for Leiden University? How do we prepare students for a future increasingly shaped by AI? And what responsibility do universities have in the development and use of this technology?
During the afternoon, we will explore how AI will impact the university’s future. While the focus will be on teaching, we will also discuss research and the broader implications of AI for society.
Following a keynote speech by Junior Minister for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty and Willemijn Aerdts, researchers, lecturers and students from various faculties will join a panel discussion. Chaired by Bas Haring, they will bring together a range of perspectives, not to arrive at a single answer, but rather to highlight the opportunities, dilemmas and complexities of AI and invite the audience to join in the discussion on the future of Leiden University.
Procession through The Hague – live stream available
The Opening of the Academic Year procession is back! Before the ceremony, a procession of students, professors, lecturers, aldermen, speakers, guests and the mayors of Leiden and The Hague will make its way across The Hague’s Turfmarkt to Amare. The procession can be followed via a live stream, both in the auditorium and from home.
A tradition revived and renewed
Just as with our Dies Natalis each year on 8 February, the procession was also traditionally part of the Opening of the Academic Year until 1972. For centuries, it took the form of a public senate, a gathering of professors. This tradition was discontinued because, from 1972 onwards, not only professors but all sections of the university began to participate in the university’s governance on an equal footing. To reflect this equality, it was decided to remove all visible signs of distinction from the opening of the academic year.
But times have changed, and public visibility has become a positive strength for universities. Traditionally, this has served both to emphasise our autonomy as a university and to demonstrate our commitment to contributing to the public good.
By having professors walk in the procession alongside guests of their choosing, we can present ourselves as a close-knit and diverse community. Now more than ever, and especially here in The Hague, we want to revive and modernise this centuries-old tradition. It allows us to combine tradition with innovation and demonstrate that Leiden University is one academic community spanning two cities, with a shared history and a common vision for the future.
Music
Music will be provided bij Collegium Musicum student choir and orchestra and Jonas & Julia.
Lecturer of the year
Who will win the 2026 Teaching Prize? Martin Berger, Hitomi Koyama and Rachel Schats are nominated for the title, which will be awarded by Friso Croon Boucher, chair of the Leiden University Student Platform.
Symbolic opening
Following the closing remarks by Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board, all the speakers will come together on stage for a symbolic moment, marking the opening of the academic year.
The afternoon will conclude with a reception (until 18:00 hrs.) in the foyer of Amare, where guests can catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances.
Registration
We would love to welcome you to the Opening of the Academic Year in The Hague. Please let us know by 27 August if you would like to attend. If you are unable to attend, you can watch the ceremony on 31 August from 14:30 via a live stream on this page. For this, no registration is required.
Registration form