Surrounded by the warmth of family, friends, and faculty, the graduates received and signed their diplomas and pinned their most memorable Amsterdam moments on the alumni map. The event was filled with laughter, emotion, and pride, capturing the bittersweet feeling of closing one chapter and beginning another.
A Vision for the Future
The ceremony opened with an inspiring speech by Eveline van Leeuwen, Scientific Director of AMS, who reflected on AMS Institute’s mission to empower the next generation of metropolitan innovators. She emphasized that as cities face mounting challenges — from climate adaptation to equitable urban growth — MADE graduates are equipped to lead with creativity, collaboration, and resilience. Eveline reminded the students that AMS Institute will always be a supportive home for them, fostering community, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
Emotional Moments and Meaningful Memories
Throughout the ceremony, heartfelt speeches, personal reflections, and joyful reunions filled the room. As each graduate stepped forward to receive their diploma, applause echoed and emotions ran high. Signing their diplomas and pinning their favorite Amsterdam memories on the alumni map symbolized both achievement and belonging. A tangible reminder of the community built over the past two years!
A Community Built on Collaboration and Diversity
The MSc MADE program is known for its multidisciplinary approach, uniting students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds to co-create solutions for metropolitan challenges. Many graduates reflected on how this collaborative spirit shaped their experience:
“The people in our class! So many wonderful conversations and good times. I have met people who I hope will be in my life for a long time.” – Layne Perry
“I really enjoyed the supportive community, being taken seriously as a student, having a lot of freedom, and being with people from many different backgrounds. I enjoyed the Living Lab the most, made good friends, and felt fully immersed in the type of research done at AMS Institute.” – Madzy Korte
“My highlight was definitely meeting all the amazing people that I did. Not only in the projects I worked on, but also in the culture of the MADE program. My fellow students made Amsterdam feel like home!” – Michelle Dijkstra
"The amount of different perspectives from guest lecturers and co-students. Broadening my horizon with social academics has been incredibly interesting." – Jonas Bottelier
“The amazing people, beautiful location next to the water, chill vibes of determined, hard-working study mates, and the freedom to explore different topics.” – Deborah van der Vlist
These reflections highlight the essence of the MADE journey; one grounded in teamwork, curiosity, and a shared drive to make cities more sustainable and inclusive.
Looking Ahead
As we bid farewell to this year’s graduates, we celebrate not only their academic achievements but also their growth as collaborative thinkers and future leaders. Though their time as students has come to an end, the bonds formed at AMS Institute will continue to inspire and support them as they take their next steps, whether in urban planning, sustainability, design, or research.
To our MSc MADE graduates of 2025: congratulations on reaching this milestone. You leave as urban engineers ready to shape the future, and you’ll always have a home at AMS Institute.
Written by Maria Chatzigeorgiou.
Group picture of the graduates