The ECHO Award goes to outstanding students with a special focus on students from underrepresented groups. To be eligible for an ECHO Award, a student must meet certain criteria in order to be nominated. These include excellent grades and being considered a 'bridge-builder'. The individual should also contribute to a creating a richer multicultural society and display qualities such as leadership or resilience. Dian was selected for her entrepreneurial spirit, organisational skills, active social involvement and constructive approach to challenges related to exclusion. The award is given by the Expertisecentrum Diversiteitsbeleid (Centre for Diversity Policy) in higher education.

Leadership programme

Dian is among the 34 candidates nominated for the award and all nominees automatically join the 500-strong ECHO Ambassadors community. This is a network of socially involved students and young professionals who have been nominated over the years. To mark the 20th anniversary of the award this year, an ECHO Ambassadors Academy leadership programme will be launched in August. The winner of the ECHO Award will be announced in December of this year.