Nicolette Koot: 'Countdown to the first Fontys for Society Event'

'Most events within Fontys are organized by an institute or a few studies together, but never by the Fontys as a whole. I missed the "corporate feeling," says Nicolette, who, together with colleagues, is responsible for organizing coevents at Fontys.

'We do so many great things together and have so many skilled professionals, students and partner organizations . We need to showcase that better, I thought. What a great thing it would be if a lecturer from Venlo told us what he was doing and thus built a bridge to his colleague in Eindhoven who was working on the same subject. And being proud. We want to stimulate the feeling to be proud.

First edition

See with your own eyes the great things that are happening within Fontys, meet colleagues and experience a we-feeling. That is possible at the first edition of the Fontys for Society Event, which will take place at the Rachelsmolen campus in Eindhoven on Friday, September 13.

The event, which will last until 6 p.m., is primarily intended for all (former) employees, students and partners involved in the various initiatives. 'We expect a high level of attendance, as all Fontys employees will be given the opportunity to attend. Everyone is scheduled free,' Nicolette says.

For the organization, it will be quite a challenge. 'The preceding Thursday there will be a lecture until 10 p.m. and the following day at 11:30 a.m. the entire campus must be transformed into a festival site.'

By ourselves

What should the outcome of the event be? Nicolette: "Three things. First, I hope the event will connect colleagues and create a sense of we. Secondly, I hope that colleagues gain enthusiasm and inspiration and take it to the classroom. Finally, I hope that the event will make students and partners realize what other wonderful things Fontys has to offer besides their studies.'

Proudly, Nicolette mentions that the entire event is organized for and by Fontys. 'The content of the program is all from our own staff and students.' The organization received more than 150 applications from people who wanted to come and talk about their project or idea. And the nice thing is that almost all of those get a spot at the event.

Sustainable connections

The event, which is themed sustainable connections, begins with the opening of the academic year, but entirely in a new, dynamic format. 'After that, visitors will spread out over the event site and the six buildings, each with its own Fontys theme of expertise,' explains the event manager.

The themes are: creative economy, sustainability and circularity, enabling technology, healthy and inclusive society, future of learning and finally smart mobility. Visitors register via the website for three blocks of three-quarters of an hour. They can choose from visiting an exhibition, attending a keynote, taking a workshop or networking. Afterwards, there will be a plenary closing in a large tent we are positioning between buildings R12 and R13. 'As an organization, we naturally also contribute to the annual theme. For example, the catering is completely vegetarian.'

Icing on the cake

To top it off, and to add extra splendor to the event, the Fontys for Society Awards will be presented at the end of the program. There are two awards: one for a study project carried out exclusively by students and one for a project carried out by employees, with or without the help of students.

Students and staff can submit projects for the awards until May 24. Winners will receive 2,500 euros that they may use for a project with social impact. 'It's Fontys for Society, right? Nicolette smiles.

The event is a keeper, that much is already clear. 'We are going to organize this event for several years, always on the second Friday of the first teaching block of the new academic year. Furthermore, we have built a platform so that the contacts made on the day of the event are preserved.