First Slab of the First Floor Laid by Alderman Nathan Stukker

Wittenborg celebrated the progress in the construction of its new student housing building, located on De Ruyterstraat, with a mini ceremony on 24 February. During the event, Apeldoorn alderman Nathan Stukker was sent onto the roof and helped place the first slab of flooring of the first floor. This was Stukker’s last official duty as alderman, as he is starting a new career in training and consultancy.

The ceremony was also attended by Wittenborg’s advisory board member and retired alderman Johan Kruithof, as well as other civil servants, district police officers and approximately 20 neighbours who were invited via direct mailing and contact points with the Municipality of Apeldoorn. In total, the new building will have 75 apartments for international students.

Wittenborg’s CEO Maggie Feng highlighted that Stukker has been a strong supporter of the school for the last 10 years and thanked him for his collaboration. She also stressed that the local community is enthusiastic about Wittenborg’s presence in the neighbourhood, where the institution will also have a new study location (read more here).

“The neighbours are very happy because, among other reasons, the average age of the local population will be drastically reduced, as many of the current residents are elderly or senior citizens. Some of them have offered valuable pieces of furniture to Wittenborg for free, while others have offered Dutch language lessons and said they will gladly help our students and colleagues integrate into the community,” Feng said.

According to her, Wittenborg can play an important role as a community centre, building a strong relationship with the neighbourhood. “The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to live in isolation and to deal with loneliness, and now is the time to be more connected. We are planning to host our annual end-of-summer BBQ at the Ruyterstraat building this year. Hopefully, it will become the start of a new tradition in the neighbourhood.”

Former alderman Nathan Stukker congratulated the school on the construction of the new building, adding that Wittenborg’s expansion is positive for the city of Apeldoorn. “I am glad to see that, despite all the challenges involved, the school has managed to realise this dream. Wittenborg has been an important partner to the city of Apeldoorn, by bringing students from all parts of the world and providing high-quality education and research,” he said.

WUP 5/3/2022
by Ulisses Sawczuk
©WUAS Press