The winners of the 2025 THUAS awards

Each winner received a €250 check as a reward for their high-quality, socially relevant, and innovative ideas. Meet the seven proud winners and discover their inspiring stories.

Henning Montag (International Business)

Henning received the award for his thesis on risk management. “Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of structured risk management”, Henning explains. His thesis convincingly demonstrated how to apply this in practice. “Writing a thesis like this requires solid preparation, so start early. Nothing is worse than working under pressure.” After graduating from THUAS, Henning immediately began a Master’s in Finance in Germany. “My heart is currently there, but the Netherlands remains an option for the future.”

Emma van Boxtel (Nutrition & Dietetics)

While in Australia, Emma developed a tool for dietitians working with individuals who have eating disorders and are on the autism spectrum and/or have ADHD. Emma says, “When it comes to success, the most rewarding part of my research is that dietitians are actually using my tool.” With the prize money, Emma plans to explore Australia again on an extended journey.

Lisa Poot (Facility Management)

Lisa researched how organizations can design their locations consistently to support growth. It’s a broad and challenging field where she can fully express her passion for organization. Her tip for graduating students: “Choose a topic that energizes you. That makes all the difference.”

Sanna van der Giessen (Pedagogy)

Sanna won with her research on bullying behavior among girls in primary education. “I interviewed teachers and students and saw real behavioral changes in the classroom. The girls were enthusiastic and noticed genuine improvement.” A beautiful example of practice-oriented research with direct impact.

Famke van der Lee (Industrial Product Design) 

Famke designed an innovative IV fixation device for the Haga Hospital. She now works in the hospital’s innovation lab to further implement it. “It feels special to develop something that truly helps healthcare professionals, with a design that’s not only innovative but also directly improves care.”

Konrad Zwolinski (HBO-ICT, Software Engineering)  

Konrad won with his project to improve the digital accessibility of a web application. “I used artificial intelligence to provide developers with concrete suggestions and make websites future-proof.” A project that addresses current societal and technological challenges. His advice to other students: “Stay curious and critical, and use feedback to improve your work.”

Thomas de Gooijer (Public Administration)  

Thomas brought the voices of residents in Delft-West closer to the municipality through his research. “As a neighborhood council member in Rotterdam, I know how valuable participation is, and with my thesis I successfully connected theory and practice. My heart breaks over the injustice in the world, and I hope to make a difference.”

Proud of Our Students  

Through their research and designs, these seven students have shown how knowledge, talent, and social engagement come together. They are an inspiration to their fellow students and a proud representation of THUAS.