On 28 September 2023, during a ceremony hosted by the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Finance, four doctoral researchers from the University of Luxembourg were officially presented with the Pierre Werner Scholarship.
Four laureates, Laura Aade, Laura Gil-Besada, Henriette Heimbach, and Anna Machura-Urbaniak, were chosen based on their impressive past academic achievements, civic accomplishments, and outstanding research work promoting the ideas of Pierre Werner.
Prof. Arnaud Dupuy, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Finance, opened the ceremony by welcoming the guests and congratulating the laureates. He emphasised that the work of these four young researchers will contribute to promoting European integration, unity, solidarity, and identity for the years to come.
Arnaud Dupuy, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Finance
Pierre Werner’s daughter and the founding member of the Fondation Pierre Werner, Marie-Anne Werner, congratulated the laureates and addressed a few welcoming words to the attendees. She reminded the guests about the history of the foundation and the ideals of her father and highlighted how the laureates’ excellent research work contributes to the promotion of these ideas.
Marie-Anne Werner, Pierre Werner’s daughter and the founding member of the Fondation Pierre Werner
Soon after, each laureate was invited to give a short presentation. They presented their doctoral research to the members of the Fondation Pierre Werner, as well as to Tonika Hirdman, Director General of the Fondation de Luxembourg. Each laureate thanked both Foundations and explained how the scholarship grants will help them in their research work and in fostering research collaboration.
Arnaud Dupuy and Tonika Hirdman, Director General of the Fondation de Luxembourg, with laureates
The ceremony concluded with a few closing words by Prof. Dupuy, thanking the Fondation Pierre Werner and the Fondation de Luxembourg for their continued support. “We are honoured to count on you as a partner. Investing in students today means investing in our common future, and tonight, after listening to the laureates, we are confident that these grants will be put to excellent use,” said Vice-Dean.
From left to right: Tonika Hirdman, Elisabeth Werner, Marie-Anne Werner, Laura Gil-Besada, Laura Aade, Anna Machura-Urbaniak, Henriette Heimbach and Arnaud Dupuy
Afterwards, there was a cocktail reception where the laureates had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Fondation Pierre Werner and the Fondation de Luxembourg, allowing them to discuss their research projects and beyond.
About the scholarship
The annual scholarship, awarded by the Fondation Pierre Werner under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, is given to outstanding postgraduate students pursuing a PhD at the University of Luxembourg in the fields of either law, economics, finance, or political sciences. Inspired by the ideals of Pierre Werner, the Pierre Werner Scholarship fosters European integration. For more information, visit the scholarship webpage.