International recognition for our 'Leiden did not forget you' days
The Alumni Office is happy and proud: the 'Leiden did not forget you' days of spring 2023 have won an award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). CASE is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of university education. This award, which is one of the the 'Best of Europe Region Awards', has been awarded to the creators and organisers of this event series: Sanderien de Jong, alumni relations officer of the Faculty of Humanities and Maud Alberts, Alumni Officer at the Alumni Office.
Huge success
The 'Leiden did not forget you' days were intended for students who graduated in corona times. Due to the pandemic, thousands of master alumni did not get a festive graduation; no ceremony with friends and family and no opportunity to sign their signature in the famous Sweat Room. The four 'return days' in May and June of 2023 were a huge success, hundreds of alumni came to Leidenin order to finally sign their names in the Sweat Room, and the campaign was even recognised by the national press!
PhD-edition
After the success of this first edition, the organizers received messages from many more alumni who -due to other circumstances - had not been able to sign their names in the Sweat Room and who would also like to come back for this. A second edition followed in early 2024 for former PhD candidates who obtained their PhD during corona times.
Sanderien and Maud will do their best to organize these return days more often, so that alumni who, for whatever reason, have missed this beautiful Leiden tradition, can still be welcomed to the Sweat Room. Keep an eye on the university agenda, we already have plans for our anniversary year!
Missed this wonderful tradition?
You can always contact the Academy building staff in order to make an appointment. More information about this can be found via the button below.
Make an appointment to sign your signature