University of Twente Receives Significant Bequest from Ottoline Visser-Stokhuijzen to Foster Research and Education

University of Twente Receives Significant Bequest from Ottoline Visser-Stokhuijzen to Foster Research and Education

(IN BRIEF) Ottoline Visser-Stokhuijzen’s €10 million bequest to four Dutch universities will significantly enhance scientific research and education. The University of Twente will receive €2.5 million, supporting innovative research and assisting students facing financial or personal challenges. The bequest will also fund key projects at Tilburg University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Wageningen University & Research, focusing on sociology, religion, sustainable development, and agricultural innovation. Additionally, the Twente University Fund has established the Ottoline and Siem Visser-Stokhuijzen Fund, ensuring the testator’s lasting impact on the university’s future.

(PRESS RELEASE) ENSCHEDE, 13-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Ottoline Visser-Stokhuijzen, a testator from Delden in The Netherlands, has made a generous bequest of €10 million to four renowned Dutch universities, a contribution that will significantly advance scientific research and education. Tilburg University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, and the University of Twente will each receive €2.5 million, in accordance with the wishes of the testator.

The University of Twente Fund will direct its portion of the bequest towards supporting both education and research at the university. This includes funding for innovative research projects and providing financial assistance to students who face financial or personal challenges during their academic journeys. The universities, along with their respective University Funds, express their deep gratitude for this meaningful bequest, assuring that the funds will be used responsibly and in accordance with the testator’s intentions.

At Tilburg University, the bequest will support research at the intersection of sociology and religion, aiming to deepen the understanding of the evolving role of religion in society, particularly in the Netherlands and Europe. This initiative aligns with the testator’s wish to foster a harmonious society where different groups engage and understand each other more effectively. At Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the funds will be directed to the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, focusing on research in religion and sustainable development within the Amsterdam Center for Religion and Sustainable Development. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) will allocate the legacy towards its Farm of the Future initiative, which focuses on sustainable agricultural practices and innovations in collaboration with farmers, authorities, and social groups. The project aims to address global agricultural challenges by integrating fundamental knowledge with practical experience at WUR’s experimental site in Lelystad.

Bequeathing to Science Campaign

Through the ‘Bequeathing to Science’ campaign, the Dutch University Funds encourage individuals to include universities or scientific research institutions in their wills. This initiative helps fund essential scientific research aimed at solving the world’s most pressing challenges. Bequests to universities make a significant impact on scientific advancements that can address global problems, contributing to a better future for generations to come. More information on the campaign can be found here (in Dutch).

A Lasting Legacy: The Ottoline and Siem Visser-Stokhuijzen Fund

The Twente University Fund Foundation proudly announces the establishment of the Ottoline and Siem Visser-Stokhuijzen Fund, a Named Fund created through the bequest of Ottoline Visser-Stokhuijzen. This fund honors her longstanding support for the university, which included prior donations to various research projects and scholarships. Mrs. Visser-Stokhuijzen’s contributions have supported initiatives like the Waterlab on campus and research on the effects of oxygen deficiency in the brain. Additionally, her generosity extended to the Kipaji Fund, which provides scholarships to students from developing countries who wish to study at the University of Twente.

Her legacy will continue to shape the future of education and research at the university, supporting innovative projects and assisting students in need. Mrs. Visser-Stokhuijzen’s lasting involvement will live on through the work and development of future generations of students and researchers.

Media contact:

J.C. Vreeman (Jochem)
Press relations (available Mon-Fri)
+31 6 5432 6671
j.c.vreeman@utwente.nl
Building: Spiegel kantoortuin

SOURCE: University of Twente