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Maggie Feng Receives Silver Medal of Honour from Municipality of Apeldoorn

https://www.wittenborg.eu/maggie-feng-receives-silver-medal-honour-municipality-apeldoorn.htm

Mayor Ton Heerts honours Maggie Feng in Apeldoorn farewell moment

Maggie Feng received the Silver Medal of Honour from the Municipality of Apeldoorn on 27 May during her farewell as CEO of Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences.  

The ceremony took place at Ketelhuis in Apeldoorn and brought together guests from education, business and the wider Apeldoorn network. The event was also reported by the Municipality of Apeldoorn and RTV Apeldoorn.  

Mayor Ton Heerts presented the award and later shared his appreciation on Instagram. He described the honour as recognition of Feng’s major impact on the region, saying:  

“It is a well-deserved distinction for her enormous commitment, inspiration and exceptional contribution to our society and to the Stedendriehoek region.”  

He added that people like Feng make the city and region “more beautiful, more innovative and more connected,” and said it was a privilege to honour her in this way.  

With the Silver Medal of Honour, the Municipality of Apeldoorn recognises Feng’s long-standing and wide-ranging contribution to the city. Her work has supported the development of Apeldoorn as an international student city and strengthened connections between education, business and the wider community.  

Feng has been connected to Wittenborg since 2002 and played a key role in its growth into an international university of applied sciences with a strong position in Apeldoorn. Over the years, the institution developed into an important showcase for the city with students and staff from more than 100 nationalities.  

In a recent LinkedIn post, Feng reflected on key milestones in her journey. These include the arrival of the first group of international students, the NVAO accreditation of the Bachelor of International Business Administration, and becoming co-owner with the ambition of reaching 100-plus nationalities.

She also highlighted further developments including investment in student housing, the creation of the mini city campus, and the growth of Wittenborg by 2026 to more than 100 nationalities.

During her farewell speech, Feng reflected on the journey that brought her to Apeldoorn and the people who helped shape it. “Today I was overwhelmed. Thank you all for coming,” she said. Recalling her early years, she noted that she arrived in the Netherlands at the age of 23 for what was intended to be a ten-month stay.

Addressing those gathered, Feng added, “Please know that I have learned a great deal from all of you. Thank you very much for being part of my life.” Looking to the future, she emphasised that she was not leaving the region but creating more time to contribute to Apeldoorn and the Stedendriehoek while continuing to bring an international perspective. Concluding her remarks, she said: “The Veluwe is the place to be.”

The Silver Medal of Honour  

The Silver Medal of Honour of the Municipality of Apeldoorn was established in 1988. It is awarded to individuals and organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the community of Apeldoorn or have shown outstanding service to society.  

Watch the moment Maggie receives the medal on RTV Apeldoorn’s official YouTube channel.

WUP 01/06/2026 
by Erene Roux 
©WUAS Press

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