Floris Bonnet wins Van Bergen award
Biology student Floris Bonnet is one of the winners of the Van Bergen Award for organising an International Ball. The award aims to promote contact between Dutch and international students at Leiden University in order to foster a better understanding of each other's cultures.
Two winners
This year the Van Bergen Fund has selected two winners: Floris Bonnet’s International Ball and Hannah Bricklebank’s Leiden Student Integration Project. The awards were presented at the Conference ‘The making of an inclusive Leiden University. Do’s and Don’ts’ on 1 December. The winners can use their prizes in order to organise their projects.
International Ball
‘International relationships are very easily developed and maintained,’ says Floris Bonnet. He experienced this as a member of Leidance (Leiden student dance association) and during the classes he took at the University Sports Centre.
The main objective of the International Ball is to bring Dutch and international students closer together. Nine dancing lessons will be organised, once a week. At least four dances will be tought: English waltz, valdresspringar (Scandinavian), salsa (South & North-American), quickstep (western), and an opening dance. The final event will be the International Ball where these dances will be performed. After the performance other Leiden University students can join in for social dancing or the after party. ‘Dancing together is one of the best ways for individuals to connect,’ says Bonnet. ‘The idea had been on my mind for a long time. I’m excited about this award and can’t wait to start. If it’s up to me, the International Ball will be an annual event.’
Diversity and Inclusiveness at the Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science adopted an action plan Diversity and Inclusiveness in 2015. In this action plan, the Faculty commits to a number of actions to further improve diversity and inclusiveness for staff and students, such as more female full professors at the faculty, and encourages initiatives that foster inclusiveness.