Symposium: Celebrating 50 Years of Public Administration​​​​​​​​​​​​

Rich History, Bright Future​​​​​​​​​​

6 November 2026 | University of Twente, Enschede

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About the symposium

This year marks the 50th anniversary of higher education in public administration in the Netherlands. To celebrate this milestone, we organise a symposium on Friday 6 November 2026. This will be held at the University of Twente, which in 1976 launched the first Dutch full-time degree programme in Bestuurskunde. Over the decades that followed, several other universities across the country subsequently developed similar programmes and further shaped the field.

The University of Twente, in partnership with the Netherlands Institute of Governance (NIG), has developed a full-day programme with plenary talks and debates, thematic sessions in breakout rooms, and other engaging activities. Together, we will reflect on the field’s rich history and explore its future, while simultaneously creating opportunities for current and former staff, students and alumni of these programmes to reconnect, share experiences and enjoy food and drinks together.

General information

  • Date: Friday 6 November 2026

  • Time: 11:00–18:00 hours (Walk-in and registration from 10.00 | Programme 11:00–17:00 | Reception 17:00–18:00)

  • Location: University of Twente, Waaier building

  • Language: English/Dutch

  • Registration fee: €45 (for students: €20). Included: participation in all meetings of the symposium, coffee and tea, lunch and a closing reception.

We're counting down to the start of the symposium. We hope that you will join us.