Wageningen University and Research

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
Motto	To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life
Type	Public university
Established	1876 as an agricultural college. Recognized in 1918 as a public university
Rector	Arthur Mol
Executive Board President	Louise Fresco
Students	12001 (2017-18)
Undergraduates	5659 (2017-18)
Postgraduates	5821 (2017-18)
Other students	521 (2017-18)
Address	Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, Wageningen, Netherlands
Student nationalities	103 (40% of the postgraduates)
Colours	Blue and Green
Affiliations	Euroleague for Life Sciences, EUA, 4TU
Mascot	WUR Wolf
Website	www.wur.nl/en.htm

Wageningen University & Research (also known as Wageningen UR; abbreviation: WUR) is a Dutch public university in Wageningen, Netherlands. It consists of Wageningen University and the former agricultural research institutes (Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek (DLO)) of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Wageningen University & Research trains specialists (BSc, MSc and PhD) in life and social sciences and focuses its research on scientific, social and commercial problems in the field of life sciences and natural resources. In the field of life sciences, agricultural and environmental science, the university is considered world-class.^[1][2][3] According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings it is the best university in the Netherlands and No. 1 worldwide, in agriculture and forestry for 2017 on the QS World University Rankings charts.^[4] The university has about 12,000 students from over 100 countries. It is also a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) university network.

History

In 1876 the Rijkslandbouwschool (National Agricultural College) was established in Wageningen. Due to the development of the training to a higher educational level it changed in 1896 to the Hoogere Land- en Boschbouwschool (Agricultural and Forestry College) and in 1904 in Rijks Hoogere Land-, Tuin- en Boschbouwschool (National Agricultural, Horticulture and Forestry College).

In 1918 the school became academic by law (Academic Education Act). The name changed to Rijks Landbouw Hoogeschool (National Agricultural College). The openings date and official Dies natalis is 9 March 1918.

In 1986 the "hogescholen" (comparable to scientific institute of technology) were renamed to University in a modification of the Academic Education Act. The new name became Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen (LUW) (Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU)). The 1986 law changes resulted in the use of the name hogeschool in the Dutch system to be used exclusively for universities of applied science.

Over the years the research and teaching branched out into life sciences in general; while interest for agriculture as a career opportunity waned. In 1997, when the DLO institutes merged with the university, the new holding was rebranded as Wageningen UR (Wageningen University and Research Centre); with the University being renamed Wageningen University. Under the Dutch laws the University and the institutes had to remain separate legal entities.

In 2006, the university of applied sciences Van Hall Larenstein became part of Wageningen UR. The idea was to create better collaboration between applied teaching and research at Van Hall and the academic research at Wageningen University. This would also support students to continue with an academic program upon completing their applied degree. However, due to differences in organizational culture and incompatibility of procedures for the different types of higher education, collaboration between the two schools remained problematic. In 2012 it was decided that Van Hall Larenstein would leave Wageningen UR and continue as an independent school once more. In the spring of 2015 the separation was marked by the move of the final Wageningen-based Van Hall Larenstein studies back to Velp.

In 2009 it was decided that the University would consistently use the English name in its communication. In addition university research could be presented under the name of the university: Wageningen University (WU) (as an alternative of using the name of the holding Wageningen UR).^[5][6] On 6 September 2016 Wageningen University and the research institutes decided to continue as one, jointly brand: Wageningen University & Research (WUR). On 9 March 2018 Wageningen University & Research celebrates her 100 years anniversary. During this year there are many events and festivities around the campus and in the city of Wageningen.

Academic profile

Wageningen University & Research was the first Dutch university or school that was allowed to use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) label. This label is awarded by the European Commission and guarantees the quality of the study programme. An important consideration is that the university consequently applies the European Credit Transfer System; this promotes the mobility of students within Europe and prevents study delay. The label is an acknowledgement of the international character of the university. Out of 56 European applications in 2005, only three ECTS labels were awarded.

BSc programmes

Forum, one of the eye-catchers on the Wageningen Campus

Wageningen University & Research offers 19 BSc programmes^[7] (2018-2019). The language of instruction is partly Dutch, partly English. For some BSc programmes the language of instruction is English. The programmes start each year in September, they last three years and consist of 180 ECTS credits. The programmes are in the field of economy and society, health, life sciences and technology, nature and environment, animals and plants.

List of BSc programmes offered in English during the 2018-2019 academic year:

• Animal Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Food Technology
• International Land and Water Management
• Soil, Water, Atmosphere
• Tourism

List of BSc programmes offered in Dutch during the 2018-2019 academic year:

• Agrotechnologie
• Bedrijfs- en Consumentenwetenschappen
• Biologie
• Biotechnologie
• Bos- en Natuurbeheer
• Communicatie en Life Sciences
• Economie en Beleid
• Gezondheid en Maatschappij
• Internationale Ontwikkelingsstudies
• Landschapsarchitectuur en Ruimtelijke Planning
• Moleculaire Levenswetenschappen
• Plantenwetenschappen
• Voeding en Gezondheid

MSc programmes

Panorama of the greenhouse of the Lumen building

Wageningen University & Research offers a 36 different MSc programmes^[8] (2017-2018) and two online masters programs.^[9] The language of instruction is English. The programmes start each year in September, they last two years and consist of 120 ECTS credits. Most programmes offer various specializations and possibilities for majors.

List of MSc programmes offered during the 2017-2018 academic year:

Summer on Wageningen Campus

• Agroecology (European)
• Animal Sciences
• Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
• Biobased Sciences
• Bioinformatics^[10]
• Biology
• Biosystems Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Climate Studies
• Communication, Health and Life Sciences
• Development and Rural Innovation
• Earth and Environment
• Environmental Sciences
• Food Quality Management
• Food Safety
• Food Studies (European)
• Food Technology
• Food Technology (online)
• Forest and Nature Conservation
• Geographical Information Management and Applications
• Geo-information Science
• International Development Studies
• International Land and Water Management
• Landscape Architecture and Planning
• Leisure, Tourism and Environment
• Management, Economics and Consumer Studies
• Metropolitan Analysis, Design, and Engineering
• Molecular Life Sciences
• Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health (online)
• Nutrition and Health
• Organic Agriculture
• Plant Biotechnology
• Plant Breeding (online)
• Plant Sciences
• Urban Environmental Management
• Water Technology

Research Institutes

The following research institutes are part of Wageningen University & Research:

• Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra), formerly Alterra^[12]
• Wageningen Economic Research, formerly LEI Wageningen UR^[13]
• Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, formerly Central Veterinary Institute^[14]
• Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, formerly Centre for Development Innovation^[15]
• Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, formerly Food & Biobased Research^[16]
• Wageningen Livestock Research^[17]
• Wageningen Marine Research, formerly IMARES^[18]
• Wageningen Plant Research^[19]
• RIKILT^[20]

Panorama of the campus of Wageningen University & Research

Rankings

100 years Wageningen University & Research

100 years WUR on the campus

On 9 March 2018 Wageningen University & Research celebrates her 100th Dies Natalis. This is the start of the anniversary year with lots of events and festivities. Within the themes of life, food and earth, numerous activities are planned in which science, art, sports and business are brought together. The 100 years WUR events^[34] take place at different locations, both inside and outside the campus.

Student activities and associations

The mascot of the university, the WURwolf

• Aktief Slip is the study association for students participating in the study programmes Milieuwetenschappen (BMW), Environmental Sciences (MES), Climate Studies (MCL) and Urban Environmental Management (MUE). The name is in Dutch and originates from the bacteria containing material (active sludge), that is used to clean wastewater. It was founded in 1966.
• M.S.V. Alchimica is the study association for students Molecular Life Sciences. Since 1970 it has been organising different activities for its members.^[35]
• B.V.W. 'Biologica' is the study Association for all Biology Students.
• CODON is the study Association for all Biotechnology students. Established by the first students of Bioprocesstechnology on 16 September 1991. At that time the association carried the name "BiPS" which was later changed to CODON. The association's main language is Dutch and in the past has been criticised for excluding international students.
• Di-Et-Tri is the study Association for Nutrition and health students. The name is a play on words for the Dutch word for diet ('dieet').
• Genius Loci is the study Association for students Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning. The name reflects the atmosphere of a certain place. It was founded on February 15, 1990 after the merger of two older study programmes.
• Heeren XVII is the study Association for Agrotechnology students. It was founded on 1 April 1965.
• Ipso Facto is the study association for the students of International Development Studies and Communication Studies. It was created in 2000 when the study 'international culture techniques' split up in 'international land and water management' and 'international development studies'.
• Licere is the study association for the students of the MSc Leisure, Tourism and Environment. It was founded in 2006 and its name means 'Leisure time' in Latin.
• Mercurius is the study association for students of Management & Consumer studies, Economics & Governance and Health & Society. It was created in 2000 when several study associations merged, but the association celebrated its 50-year anniversary in November 2012, as it considers the Dies Natalis of the former separate associations to be its own Dies Natalis. The association has nearly 900 members, making it one of the largest study associations in Wageningen.
• Nicolas Appert is the study Association for Food Technology students. It was founded on 6 September 1962, and was named after the French food scientist Nicolas Appert.
• Nitocra is the study association for students International land and water management.
• Pyrus is the study association for students Soil, water and atmosphere.
• Semper Florens is the study Association for Plant Scientists and Plant Biotechnologists.
• StEL is the study Association for Organic Agriculture students.
• WSBV Sylvatica is the study Association for students Forest and Nature conservation. It is the oldest study association in Wageningen, founded in 1939.
• De Veetelers is the study association for Animal Sciences students. The name means "Animal Breeders". It was founded in 1962.

Notable alumni (including present or former employees)

See also

• Food Valley
• Gelderland
• List of agricultural universities
• Wageningen
• World Soil Museum
• Open access in the Netherlands

References

External links

Media related to Wageningen University at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website
• Wageningen University & Research

Coordinates: 51°58′01.52″N 5°39′30.97″E / 51.9670889°N 5.6586028°E / 51.9670889; 5.6586028