Nominees

Student Award

Category Description

Student Award

This prize is to reward students who excel not only in their studies, but shine in other areas as well. This can be sports, volunteering, a contribution to society or anything else that is nothing short of impressive! Any student who fits the criteria below can be nominated. The list of nominees will also be used as input for the VU Central awards.

Criteria:

  • Grade average 7.0 or higher or;

  • Excels in an extracurricular activity or;

  • Contributes to society in a meaningful way or;

  • Contributes in some other meaningful way (as long as you can exemplify!)

2021-2022 Nominees Student Award (Bachelor):

Sanne Westerhout

What drives you?

For me, my main motivation is experiencing life to the fullest; having fun, making memories, and taking every opportunity to learn. All my years studying Human Movement Sciences were filled with great enjoyable moments, experiences I want to help offer new students.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

Becoming a V.I.B. board member was a great first step, which has left me wanting for more. In order to hopefully enrich the studying experience for even more students, I joined the Program Committee and became student-assistant for the secretariat of the FGB.

Thom van Noort

What drives you?

I am a passionate person who tries to motivate others by creating a meaningfull and supportive space around them. I felt very welcome when I started studying at the VU and I want new students to have the same experience.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

I have been a very active member of the V.I.B. since I started my studies. As a board member of the V.I.B. this year (2021-2022) we organize loads of activities togheter with our committees for bachelor and masterstudents, we have been in contact with the faculty all year talking about ways to improve the environment for students.

2021-2022 Nominees Student Award (Master):

Kerem Özel

What drives you?

During my studies I can say that the VU has really become a home to me. I realize that this was because of the hard work of everyone at our faculty, including students. I want to share the support I received from them with other students like me.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

I took the roles of Promo Coordinator and Chair of the VSPVU’s Introduction Committee, Board Member of the VSPVU, Vice-chair of the FSR FGB, member of the RM Psychology Programme Committee, Faculty Student representative of the Student Wellbeing Panel and I will be the Chair of the FSR FGB next year.

Maria Luiza

What drives you?

My greatest motivation is the gratification when I can contribute to making people pursue a unique goal. I believe in empowering people through education by making them use knowledge and skills to thrive. As a master's student at the VU, I want to support and motivate others around me.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

Being a Committee member is the opportunity to represent and give voice to my fellows on the board. Collecting and translating challenges from different perspectives improves students' experience within the education environment. I am glad to be a "communication bridge" and contribute to making a difference for future students.

Michael Gasior

What drives you?

I’m driven to help others succeed. Everyone deserves the opportunity to find their own success, and I work to support my peers in their academic, professional, and personal lives. For my research endeavors, I strive to illuminate the intersections of mental health and broader societal issues, like forced migration.

How do you integrate it in your (extra) curricular activities?

In everything I do, I connect with others and offer support. For example, I serve as a class year representative to ensure students have the best possible study experience, and I work at the Student Wellbeing Point to offer peer-to-peer help. The success of others is my success!