It came as no surprise that Van Duijn should talk at length about the start of the bachelor College. Dean Lex Lemmens, who's been very much involved in the realization of the College, was treated to a special thank-you from the Rector, both for his hard work and diplomacy. “Without the efforts of Lex Lemmens, the Bachelor College wouldn't be here today”, van Duijn said. He continued to briefly explain the setup of the new educational model TU/e will be working with starting this academic year.

“Seven years ago, upon my installment as Rector, I didn't realize our primary contribution to society lies in the talent, skills and creativity of our students”, he admitted. According to Van Duijn, TU/e educates students to become the designers of a sustainable future.

Finally, the Rector took the time to advocate investments in higher education and technology, warning us that our natural gas resources will have run out in fifteen years' time, resulting in knowledge being the only commodity the Netherlands will have left. European collaboration is important, too. “We won't survive without Europe”, Van Duijn said.

Van Duijn ended by announcing  the winners of the education awards. Gert-Jan van Heijst, full professor of Turbulence and Vortex Dynamics at the Department of Applied Physics, won best Bachelor. Maarten Merkx, associate professor of Biomedical Chemistry, won best Master.