College Tour Twente in Amfitheather Vrijhof
The year 2025 at the University of Twente kicked off with the eighth edition of the DUFAS College Tour. In a packed Amphitheater at the Vrijhof on the Enschede campus, nearly 200 people gathered to listen to Martijn Rozemuller, CEO of VanEck. This edition was organized in collaboration with Studium Generale and the student association Duitenberg, with two students taking on the role of moderators. This resulted in a dynamic and content-rich conversation, filled with fascinating insights from Martijn.
Great Enthusiasm and a Full House
From the very beginning, it was clear that Martijn was well-loved in his home region. With all 165 seats occupied, some visitors had to stand for the full 90 minutes. Thanks to an interview in Tubantia announcing the College Tour, the evening attracted both students and other interested attendees from the region. It was remarkable to see how many people were excited about asset management.
Martijn immediately felt at home on campus and in the company of his former student association, Duitenberg. After all, this was where he took his first steps into the world of investing. The interviewers were curious about how his career had developed—from enjoying his first Grolsch beer on campus to his current role as CEO at VanEck.
“Stick to Your Goal and Think Long-Term”
During the conversation, Martijn emphasized the importance of a long-term vision in investing. “The key to success is sticking to your goal and always thinking long-term.” People often focus on short-term gains—for example, buying a lottery ticket in hopes of quick profit instead of setting moneyu aside every month in an investment account. Over 15 years, investing will yield significant returns, whereas with the lottery, the odds are high that you’ll lose all your money. What’s even more ironic is that lotteries are allowed to promise enormous winnings, while asset managers must always warn that investments carry risks.
The Popularity of ETFs
A large portion of the audience’s questions focused on ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), a product in which VanEck is specialized. Martijn explained how ETFs work and why they can be an efficient way to invest. A curious student in the audience asked if he personally invests in his own ETFs. Martijn responded, “I invest in my own ETFs because if I didn’t believe in them myself, why would they be good enough for others?”
An Inspiring Evening
All in all, it was a highly successful evening. The enthusiasm and interaction between Martijn, the interviewers, and the audience made for an inspiring event full of valuable insights. The discussions continued well into the evening during the networking drinks that followed.
More information
It was a successful event for DUFAS as well as the University and the students and we look forward to the next editions. More information about the College Tour or curious about career opportunities within the asset management sector? Take a look around this website.
