Commencement Will Take Place on Saturday, May 16 at the Pieterskerk in Leiden
Saturday, May 16, 2026 will be a special day when Webster Leiden Campus’ yearly graduation ceremony takes place at the Pieterskerk in Leiden.
This event and your diploma will constitute the official recognition of your academic achievement.
We are looking forward to sharing this proud and memorable occasion with you.
2026 Speakers
2026 Main Commencement Speaker
Christy Aikhorin
Born in Kano, Nigeria, Christy Aikhorin has charted a remarkable journey from South
Africa to the Netherlands, where she stands today as a strategic leader and social
entrepreneur at the forefront of sustainable development. Her life's mission is to
turn ideas into impactful realities by aligning head, heart and hands.
With a Master's in Chemical Engineering from the University of Twente, Netherlands, and Executive Education in Business Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge, Christy brings 15-plus years of experience across the oil and gas, chemicals and renewable energy sectors. Her career is defined by a powerful transformation, from navigating a technical, male-dominated engineering world to leading a women-led international organization. Today, as Director of WECF Netherlands (Women Engage for a Common Future), she steers global programs that empower women and youth from food security to energy access, bridging grassroots innovation with institutional strategy from African organic farms to European policy halls.
Her personal commitment to sustainability finds expression in two ventures she founded: 1. UnikBlends, a social enterprise empowering African female artisans through sustainable fashion and circular design, proving that business can be a force for cultural preservation and economic justice. 2. SheSustains, a storytelling platform where women retreat, reflect and reconnect, because Alkhorln believes authentic, lasting change is rooted on nurturing friendships, community and personal well-being.
Across all her body of work, Alkhorin blends technical prowess with creative zeal to address global challenges such as environmental pollution, climate change and gender disparity by challenging stereotypes and contributing impactfully toward lasting solutions. Her approach is deeply human-centric, focused on fostering independent thinking and creating collaborative spaces that inspire sustainable living.
She lives in Voorburg with her husband and two children.
2026 Undergraduate Class Speaker
Humfrey Akhigbe
Psychology and Management
2026 Graduate Class Speaker
Katherine Momoh
International Relations
Ceremony Livestream
The commencement ceremony starts promptly at 3 p.m. CEST on Saturday, May 16 and will be livestreamed on the Webster Leiden Campus YouTube channel.
We invite you to share the link below with friends and family around the world so they can join in celebrating this important milestone.
Eligibility to Participate in Commencement
Students eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony are students who completed all their degree program requirements in the 2025-2026 academic year (August to May). In addition, students expecting to finish all requirements by the end of the Fall 2026 semester are eligible.
Final Steps For the Ceremony
Information will be emailed in Spring 2026 to eligible students about how to register.
Gown pickup schedule will be announced closer to the ceremony date.
The Day of the Ceremony
Location
Pieterskerk Leiden
Kloksteeg 16
2311 SL Leiden
Timeline
Graduation Day Rehearsals
On the day of the ceremony, all students will be required to be at the church at 1-1:15 p.m.
The students will rehearse this day by walking down the aisle and stepping on stage. You will also be told what to do when your name is called to receive your scroll.
Ceremony
The ceremony starts at 3 p.m.
Reception
Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Pieterskerk.
Additional Details
Directions to the Pieterskerk
- Walking from Station: It is approximately a 15-minute walk from Leiden Central Station (CS).
- Bus: Take a bus from Leiden CS to the Breestraat stop, then walk about 2 minutes.
- Parking: Park & Ride (P+R) options are available on the edge of the historic city center. More information available through Parking Leiden.
Accessibility
Please notify the graduation team of any accessibility needs or special requirements so we can ensure we have the appropriate accommodations.
Merchandise and Diploma Covers
At the church there will be a table selling merchandise and diploma covers.
Photography
There will be a professional photographer during the ceremony. In the weeks after the ceremony, the photo of you on stage receiving your diploma will be shared with you.
