MASTER OF CEREMONY

Anna-Lena Claeys-Kulik

Moderator, Coach and Higher Education Policy Expert

Anna-Lena is a certified systemic coach, moderator and independent European higher education policy and foresight expert. As coach, she helps multicultural teams, particularly of associations and university representations active at European level, to improve collaboration, effectiveness and wellbeing at work. As master of ceremony and moderator, she brings presence, energy and expertise to your event, holds space for others to shine and creates connection between the speakers and the audience to foster open exchange and mutual understanding.

Before starting her journey as full-time entrepreneur in 2025, Anna-Lena worked for almost 15 years in different positions in European cooperation in higher education, research and innovation policy and foresight, for most of the time at the European University Association (EUA).

Day 1 | 17 June

WORDS OF WELCOME

Hannes Raffaseder

President of EURASHE, CEO St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Hannes is a Member of the Executive Board as Chief Research & Innovation Officer of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and leading coordinator of E³UDRES², the Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions.

Geleyn Meijer

Rector Executive Board, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Before his appointment to the Executive Board, Geleyn Meijer served as dean of the AUAS Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries for seven years. Geleyn began his career as a partner at Logica and strategy director at Logica Management Consulting Netherlands. He studied Physics at the University of Amsterdam and received his PhD in Robotics in 1991.

Sofyan Mbarki

Alderman, City of Amsterdam

Sofyan Mbarki is the alderman for sports, education, economic affairs, and youth services in Amsterdam, representing the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA). Mbarki is committed to creating an inclusive city where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their background. Through his work, he aims to improve the quality of life and social cohesion in Amsterdam. Before becoming an alderman, Mbarki served as the leader of the PvdA in the city council. He was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Nieuw-West.

KEYNOTE SPEECH

Robbert Dijkgraaf

Professor for Science and Society, University of Amsterdam, former Minister of Education, Culture & Science in the Netherlands

Robbert Dijkgraaf is a mathematical physicist who has made significant contributions to string theory and the advancement of science education. He was Director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton (2012-2022). In 2022, he became the Minister of Education, Culture & Science in the Netherlands, until 2024. In 2025 he returned to academia as a Professor of Science and Society at the University of Amsterdam, and has recently been elected President-Elect of the International Science Council.

Plenary Session: Applied universities as drivers of European competitiveness

Moderator: Geleyn Meijer

Rector Executive Board, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Before his appointment to the Executive Board, Geleyn Meijer served as dean of the AUAS Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries for seven years. Geleyn began his career as a partner at Logica and strategy director at Logica Management Consulting Netherlands. He studied Physics at the University of Amsterdam and received his PhD in Robotics in 1991.

Robbert Dijkgraaf

Professor for Science and Society, University of Amsterdam, former Minister of Education, Culture & Science in the Netherlands

Robbert Dijkgraaf is a mathematical physicist who has made significant contributions to string theory and the advancement of science education. He was Director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton (2012-2022). In 2022, he became the Minister of Education, Culture & Science in the Netherlands, until 2024. In 2025 he returned to academia as a Professor of Science and Society at the University of Amsterdam, and has recently been elected President-Elect of the International Science Council.

Hannes Raffaseder

President of EURASHE, CEO St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Hannes is a Member of the Executive Board as Chief Research & Innovation Officer of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and leading coordinator of E³UDRES², the Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions.

Plenary Session: Spotlight on Applied eXel

Mark Butler

Vice President, Corporate Development, Applied Research & International, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

As Vice President at SAIT, Mark leads a portfolio including Applied Research, Corporate Training, Business Intelligence and Analytics, International Projects and Business Operations, the Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Studies, and SAIT’s International Centre. His responsibilities include local, national and international business development, partnerships and revenue diversification. Before his extensive leadership roles, Mark taught various courses at Lakeland College and has developed and/or delivered many educational management and leadership projects, programs and courses.

Ellen Hazelkorn

Joint Managing Partner, BH Associates, Professor Emerita, Technological University Dublin

Professor Ellen Hazelkorn is an internationally-recognised expert in higher education and research. She was vice-president at Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin), has advised governments globally, authored over 200 publications, and is recognised for her contributions to education policy, rankings, and quality assurance in higher education.

Pascal Krupka

UNESCO Chair on Strategic Foresight and Higher Education, Higher Colleges of Technology

Alan Kin-tak Lau

President, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong

Professor Lau’s career began as a technical apprentice, then progressed to an engineer, and finally became a scientist, with research areas spanning novel materials, smart structures, and renewable energy. He co-founded three world-class companies focusing on hydrogen energy, electric vehicle chargers, and kitchen appliances, respectively. He is an active researcher and entrepreneur. Despite dedicating significant time to innovative educational systems in applied science and technology, he maintains a high level of research activity. His papers have been cited over 32,000 times, with an h-index exceeding 85. Currently, academic programmes at THEi are mostly funded by industry, resulting in high graduate employment rates.

Plenary Session: Applied Universities and the City

Petr Blížkovský

Secretary-General, European Committee of the Regions

Doutje Lettinga

Chief Science Officer, City of Amsterdam

Dr. Doutje servers as Chief Science Officer (CSO) for the City of Amsterdam, where she connects research, policy and practice to address urban challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. In addition, she holds the special chair ‘Urban Dynamics of Rights and Justice’ at the University of Amsterdam. Between 2020-2025, Doutje was the Manager of the Research and Policy department of The Netherlands Human Rights Institute. Previously, she worked as a researcher and strategic policy advisor across government, academia, and international (non-profit) organizations, with a focus on human rights, pluralism, citizenship and justice.

Heimo Sandtner

Rector, Hochschule Campus Vienna

FH-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. mont. Heimo Sandtner has been Academic Director and Rector of the University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna since February 2022, involved with the university since 2011.

Sandtner studied Materials Science at the Montanuniversität Leoben, where he subsequently worked as a university assistant and deputy head of the Institute of Refractory Building Materials and Ceramics. In 2003, he completed his doctoral thesis on computer assisted systems in teaching. Since 2024, Sandtner has also been a member of the executive board of the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Conference.

Nynke Van Dijk

Member Executive Board, Amsterdam UAS

Since March 2026, Nynke van Dijk is member of the executive board of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, with a focus on research, education and student wellbeing. She has been trained as medical doctor and educationalist and has combined teaching/education, research and management roles at the Amsterdam University Medical Center for almost 20 years. She is a Professor of education and training of Health Care professionals at the University of Amsterdam. From 2020 to 2026 she was dean of the faculty of Health, Sports and Physical Activity at Amsterdam UAS.