Impacthon is a 12-hour student challenge inviting students to tackle real, urgent problems and build solutions that actually hold up in the real world.
In this edition, participants step into an immersive narrative world where three villains represent the forces quietly working against our cities, our health, and our curiosity. They choose the theme that hits closest to home, define their own challenge, and spend the day sharpening their instincts, collaborating across disciplines, and pitching a real solution to peers and experts.
The three themes for Impacthon 2026 are:
Health & Wellbeing – tackling burnout, mental health, loneliness, and access to care
Climate & Environment – addressing waste, biodiversity loss, pollution, and sustainable living
Education & Culture – confronting unequal access to learning, representation, and knowledge
September 26, 2026 10:00 – 22:00 PLNT Leiden Open to students from all disciplines
The Hague will host Leiden University’s Opening of the Academic Year, today, Monday 31 August 2026. It is the first time in the university’s 451-year history that the ceremony takes place outside Leiden. The event also marks 25 years of partnership between the university and the city.
The afternoon’s central theme is the impact of artificial intelligence on education. The programme opens with a keynote by Junior Minister for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty, Willemijn Aerdts, followed by a panel discussion chaired by Bas Haring with researchers, lecturers and students from various faculties. The panel explores the opportunities, dilemmas and complexities AI presents for education and research.
Before the ceremony, a procession of students, professors, lecturers, aldermen, speakers, guests, and the mayors of Leiden and The Hague will make its way from the Turfmarkt to Amare. The procession returns to the Opening of the Academic Year for the first time since 1972. The tradition ended when all parts of the university began to participate in university governance on an equal basis, and visible distinctions were removed from the ceremony. This year, the tradition returns in a renewed and more inclusive form. Professors will walk alongside guests of their choosing, reflecting Leiden University’s close-knit and diverse community.
“For 25 years, Leiden University and The Hague have grown together. Today, around 6,000 of their 30,000 students study in The Hague, making our city a second home for the university. Hosting the Opening of the Academic Year here for the first time is a fitting celebration of that partnership.” Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague
Source & Image: The Hague & Partners The Hague & Partners is the official marketing and acquisition organisation for the promotion of The Hague, focused on residents, visitors, conferences, businesses and institutions. https://thehague.com/en
A new academic year is getting underway in The Hague, with thousands of students beginning or returning to their studies across the city. From large universities of applied sciences to specialist arts and hospitality institutions, The Hague has developed into a substantial and increasingly international student city.
At de Haagse Hogeschool (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, THUAS), INTROweek starts today, Monday 24 August, with a programme designed to give new students a warm welcome, introduce them to each other and help them find their way around both the university and The Hague.
The introduction week runs from 24 to 28 August, ahead of the official start of the academic year on 1 September.
A warm start at THUAS
THUAS is one of the largest higher education institutions in the city, bringing together students from the Netherlands and countries around the world.
Its INTROweek combines practical information with opportunities to meet other students and explore student life in The Hague.
Activities during the week include a student lunch, a scavenger hunt through the city and a large information market on Thursday 27 August, where students can find out more about university services, student organisations and life outside their studies.
Valentijn Schulz, co-organizer of the INTROweek: “Personally, I am really looking forward to the Scavenger Hunt, which we are organizing for the first time this year. We are working with the KNAEK scavenger hunt app, which will allow groups of students to hunt for more than 60 unique ‘hunts’ from over 30 participating companies using GPS. From cultural center Amare to brewery Kompaan, from café De Gekke Geit to museum Escher in Het Paleis, all kinds of amazing locations in The Hague are opening their doors to our students on Wednesday, and at almost every location they will also be surprised with fun treats and great perks.”
The introduction programme continues into the evening with the THUAS Intro Party, while new students can also try sports and fitness activities for free from 31 August until 11 September.
Bianca, an incoming first-year Communication student at THUAS: “I find it quite nerve-wracking to start a new degree program soon, especially since I am not from The Hague. That is why I was pleased to see that both the university of applied sciences and the program itself put a lot of effort into a good introduction. Next week, if all goes well, I will already get to know my fellow students, we will receive information about the facilities available to us, the study and student associations we can join, and we will get to know the city a little bit in a playful way. That way, you start your time studying in The Hague feeling a bit more confident.”
HI The Hague brings students together across the city
Students from THUAS will also mix with those from other institutions through HI The Hague, the official introduction week for students across The Hague.
Running from Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 August, HI The Hague is open to both Dutch and international students and is designed to bring together newcomers from different educational institutions.
The programme includes a movie night, beach activities, a boat tour and parties, alongside free citywide events.
On Wednesday 26 August, the official Welcome Party takes place at Grote Markt from 17:00 to 23:00, with live music and entertainment. On Thursday 27 August, the Student InfoMarket at THUAS gives students the opportunity to meet student associations and organisations and find out more about opportunities around the city.
HI The Hague is organised by students and works with educational institutions, student and sports associations and the Municipality of The Hague.
More than 37,000 students in The Hague
There are now more than 37,000 students studying in The Hague, with a remarkably broad range of higher education available across the city.
Alongside THUAS, Inholland University of Applied Sciences has a campus in The Hague, while Hotelschool The Hague attracts Dutch and international students preparing for careers in the hospitality sector.
The city’s creative education institutions include the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) and the Royal Conservatoire, bringing art, design, music and dance students into the city’s student community.
At university level, Leiden University has developed a significant Campus The Hague, while Erasmus University Rotterdam’s International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) has long been based in The Hague. TU Delft is also extending its presence in the city through Campus The Hague.
Together, these institutions give The Hague a higher education profile ranging from technology, cybersecurity and international law to business, hospitality, politics, arts and music.
A new university campus in the heart of The Hague
For Leiden University students, this is also the first new academic year with the Spui University Campus fully open.
The campus began hosting lectures on 2 February 2026 in the former V&D and Hudson’s Bay department store building at Spui 5, following an extensive redevelopment of the landmark city-centre site.
Thousands of students are expected to use the building. Leiden University is the largest presence, but the campus also brings together TU Delft, the Open University, Leiden University Medical Center and Universities of the Netherlands.
The campus was officially opened in March by representatives of the participating institutions together with Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen.
The idea is not simply to put several universities into one building. The institutions describe the campus as a place where universities can work together and connect research and education more closely with the city.
For Leiden University in particular, The Hague is becoming increasingly important. Its long-term plans anticipate that around one third of Leiden University students could be studying in The Hague by 2030.
The development strengthens the university’s concept of being one university in two cities, Leiden and The Hague.
Studying in an international city
The international character of The Hague also shapes student life.
Students arriving from abroad may need to arrange municipal registration, housing, health insurance, banking and transport while simultaneously adapting to a new education system and building a social network.
For Dutch students moving to The Hague from elsewhere in the Netherlands, the administrative challenges may be different, but discovering a new city, meeting people and finding a place within student life can be just as important.
Study in The Hague provides information for both Dutch and international students, covering study programmes, housing, healthcare, sport, student organisations, work and life around the city.
The Hague Online will also continue sharing English-language news, events and practical information throughout the academic year for students who are making The Hague their home.
And next week, back to primary and secondary school
Higher education may be getting the 2026/27 academic year started this week, but another large group of students still has one week of summer holiday left.
The Hague falls within the Central school holiday region, where the official summer holiday continues through Sunday 30 August. This means most primary and secondary schools in the city will begin the new school year from Monday 31 August.
Welcome to all new and returning students, and good luck with the academic year ahead!
Community Contribution by Lorenzo Maddalena, student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences
From 13 to 22 August 2027, the Beach Volleyball World Championships will take place in the Netherlands, bringing international sport to The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Apeldoorn.
The Hague will host the opening match and final weekend, with beach volleyball returning to the Hofvijver following the success of the 2015 Championships.
For a city with such a large and diverse international community, the event raises an interesting question: could the Championships also provide an opportunity to involve international residents more directly?
That question is at the centre of my graduation research.
My name is Lorenzo Maddalena, and I am an International Sport Management student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In collaboration with Nevobo, the Dutch Volleyball Federation, I am exploring the feasibility of a possible International Day during the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
Having worked at major international sporting events, including the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, I have become particularly interested in spectator experience and how sport can engage international communities. That interest led me to this research.
Why focus on international residents?
The Hague is home to people from many different countries and backgrounds. International professionals, students, families, entrepreneurs, diplomats, researchers and employees of international organisations all contribute to the character of the city.
However, living in an international city does not automatically mean feeling connected to its sporting events. The purpose of this research is therefore to hear directly from international residents.
Would the opportunity to support a particular country or team make attendance more attractive? Would people be more likely to attend with friends, family or colleagues? Could ticket prices, work schedules, transport or childcare become barriers? Would a social or networking element add value—and where would international residents expect to find information about the event?
These practical questions can help determine whether an International Day would be worthwhile and, if so, what could make it successful.
You do not need to be a volleyball fan
You do not need to play volleyball, follow beach volleyball or regularly attend live sporting events to participate in the research.
Responses from people who would not normally attend a volleyball event are especially valuable. If an International Day is intended to reach a wider audience, understanding what could attract new visitors is just as important as hearing from existing sports fans.
The survey is open to international residents living in the Netherlands, with particular interest in people who live, work, study or regularly spend time in The Hague and nearby cities.
From assumptions to evidence
The survey has been developed with input from Nevobo, The Hague International Centre and ACCESS NL.
The results will form part of my graduation research and will be used to make recommendations to Nevobo about the feasibility of an International Day and the factors that could support its successful implementation.
The aim is to base those recommendations on what international residents actually say—not on assumptions about what they might want.
How to take part
The short survey takes approximately three to four minutes to complete and will remain open until 20 October 2026.
You are also welcome to share it with other international residents in your network. Every additional response helps build a clearer picture of what people would value from an event like this.
If an International Day is eventually developed during the Championships, this research aims to ensure that international residents have a voice in shaping what it could look like.
About the author
Lorenzo Maddalena is an International Sport Management student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. His interests include event management, spectator experience and engaging international communities through sport.
On June 24, The Hague University Toastmasters is hosting a Special Open House Event at the Speaker’s Corner — an evening for anyone curious about public speaking, communication, and confidence. You’re all invited!
What’s on the program?
Best of Speeches
Enjoy some of our members’ most engaging speeches and see how powerful communication can inspire and entertain. Three speakers will take the stage, Laszlo Walburg, Nicole Epp, Shuyan Zhang, and together we’ll select the “best speaker” of the night.
Leadership Workshop
Join leadership coach and public speaker Rachel Setrokarijo for an interactive workshop that will help you identify your goals, uncover what truly matters to you, and define practical steps toward achieving your vision.
Table Topics Contest
Watch (or join!) a fun challenge where speakers deliver spontaneous 2-minute speeches. During our special edition Bonfire storytelling game hosted by Mike Eekhof, guests and members can practice thinking on their feet in a fun, supportive environment. Friendly competition: the most entertaining speaker takes home a “best table topics” mug.
Whether you want to improve your presentation skills, speak more confidently in English, meet new people, or simply experience Toastmasters for the first time, this Open House is a great place to start. Register now or just drop-in: https://forms.gle/1Gt5F2nxffUfPvPP6
Israel/Palestine: Pain and Hope is a free exhibition and dialogue programme taking place in The Hague from 17 to 30 June 2026. Organised by the Dutch civil society network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, the exhibition presents photography and artworks reflecting the pain experienced by both Jews and Palestinians, while also looking for signs of hope and possibilities for a just and peaceful future.
The exhibition is open daily from 13:00 to 18:00 at Believe Together / Inn of Humanity, Weimarstraat 300, The Hague. Alongside the exhibition, a series of evening dialogue sessions will explore themes including compassion across differences, dialogue initiatives in Israel, the future of the two-state solution, peace initiatives, photojournalism from Gaza and Dutch political perspectives on Israel and Palestine. Some sessions are in English and others in Dutch.
Admission is free, but registration is required for the opening and dialogue evenings. Visitors are advised to come by public transport, as there is no parking near the venue. Please note that the exhibition and dialogue evenings take place on the first and second floors, and there is no lift in the building.
