Marja Verstelle, project manager Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities, receives award for national and international innovation in education.
Den Bosch, 7 December 2020 – During the online edition of SURF Education Days 2020, awards were presented to five education professionals who have contributed to innovation in education, both within the Netherlands and beyond. Marja Verstelle of Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities is one of the winners and received a SURF Education Awards from Christien Bok, Education Innovation Manager at SURF.
The five winners were given the news of their award in a surprise video call in which Christien Bok presented them with the SURF Education Awards 2020. Their enthusiastic reactions can be seen in a video which was unveiled to hundreds of participants on the first day of SURF Education Days. "What is incredibly impressive is to see how these five individuals have worked tirelessly for many years, generously sharing their knowledge and commitment with others and achieving so much. For me, it is a tremendous honour to present them with their award on behalf of SURF," says Bok.
Marja Verstelle
For 25 years, Marja Verstelle has been building bridges for innovation and education in a variety of roles. Currently as planner and project manager for the strategic alliance between Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and previously as programme manager of the ICTO Innovation Programme and co-founder of the Centre for Innovation at Leiden University, strategic policy advisor to the Vice Rector, and as editor-in-chief of the national SURFspace website. Within the international LERU partnership, Marja also played a driving role within the digital transformation group.
SURF on Marja Verstelle: "When it comes to new technologies, Marja likes to take the lead. She translates knowledge into educational opportunities, and knows how to get people on board, from students to professors to directors. Marja has achieved so much exactly because of her ability to unite."
Since 2015, SURF has presented its annual awards to people in the education community (vocational education & training, higher professional education, and university education) who are committed to educational innovation using ICT.
Detailed descriptions of the winners, reactions from their colleagues, and a full explanation by SURF of why they were chosen, as well as links to winners from previous years at the SURF website.
About SURF
SURF is the ICT cooperation organisation for education and research in the Netherlands. Within the SURF cooperative, research universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, and university medical centres work together to develop ICT facilities and ICT innovations. This cooperation gives students, lecturers, researchers and other staff access to the best ICT facilities for leading research and talent development under advantageous conditions. More information at www.surf.nl