Once again, the Equity and Inclusion Programme has given three talented young people from the Parkstad region the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams. As of the 2023-24 academic year, they have started their bachelor’s degrees at Maastricht University. This is an important step towards increasing diversity and inclusion in education, especially for students who would otherwise face social and financial barriers to higher education.

With these three new students, the total number of current scholarship holders has risen to seven. Thanks to the Mia Keulaerds Foundation Scholarship Programme, they have received scholarships that allow them to focus on their academic growth without financial concerns. One of the current scholarship recipients expressed their appreciation:

“I am extremely grateful for my scholarship. It relieves me of the stress and worry about the financial side of things, allowing me to focus fully on my studies.”

Inspiring moments at the first scholarship event

On Friday, 20th September 2024, our first-ever scholarship event took place, bringing together scholarship students and donors for a special, informal gathering. The programme included inspiring stories from the students, an introduction to our valued donors, and the official presentation of the scholarship certificates. This event offered students the chance to share their personal experiences and reflect on their time at Maastricht University.

The event was a great success, providing a unique opportunity for both students and donors to connect and exchange experiences. It was an inspiring day, certainly worth repeating!

Future steps

As the Equity and Inclusion Programme continues, an additional eight scholarships will be awarded to talented young people in the coming academic years. The Limburg University Fund remains committed to making new scholarships available in the future, ensuring that even more young people can access education and build successful futures.

We sincerely thank our donors for their invaluable contributions, which have already helped over 45 young people realise their academic ambitions. Thanks to your support, we can continue building a more equitable future together!