Wageningen University and Research Centre

Wageningen University and Research Centre
Wageningen Universiteit en Researchcentrum

Motto	For quality of life
Established	1918
Type	state
Rector	Martin Kropff
Executive Board President	Aalt Dijkhuizen
Admin. staff	6500 total (including 185 full professors)
Students	9600
Undergraduates	2300 (university), (4000 Van Hall Larenstein)
Postgraduates	2200
Doctoral students	1100
Location	Wageningen, Netherlands
Student nationalities	101 (44% of the postgraduates)
Website	www.wur.nl

Wageningen University and Research Centre is a Dutch public university in Wageningen, The Netherlands. It consists of Wageningen University, the Van Hall-Larenstein School of Higher Professional Education, and the former agricultural research institutes (Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek) of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Wageningen UR trains specialists (BSc, MSc and PhD) in life sciences and focuses its research on scientific, social and commercial problems in the field of life sciences and natural resources. In the field of agricultural science, the university is considered world-class.

Wageningen University

Wageningen University offers undergraduate and professional degrees, including doctorates. The university has about 6,000 students from 105 countries. Its core focus is the life and agricultural sciences. It is a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) university network.

ECTS-Label

Aula of Wageningen University

Building sign of WUR

Wageningen University was the first Dutch University or school that was allowed to use the 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 acknowledgment of the international character of the University. Out of 56 European applications in 2005, only 3 ECTS labels were awarded.

BSc programmes

Wageningen University offers 18 BSc programmes (2005-2006). 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 & society, health, life sciences & technology, nature & environment, animals & plants.

Economy and society

Business and consumer studies
Economics and policy
International development studies

Health

Health and society
Nutrition and health

Technology

Agro technology
Biotechnology
Food technology
Molecular life sciences

Nature and environment

Soil, water and atmosphere
Forest and nature conservation
International land and water management
Landscape architecture and spatial planning
Environmental sciences

Animals and plants

Biology
Biological Production Sciences
Animal sciences
Plant sciences

MSc programmes

Panorama of the greenhouse of the Lumen building

The Biotechnion building, where the Food and Nutrition departments are situated

Wageningen University offers a 28 different MSc programmes (2011-2012). 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 specialisations and possibilities for majors.

Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering
Animal Sciences
Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management
Bioinformatics
Biology
Biotechnology
Climate Studies
Communication Science
Development and Rural Innovation
Earth and Environment
Environmental Sciences
European Masters Degree in Food Studies
Food Quality Management
Food Safety
Food Technology
Forest and Nature Conservation
Geo-information Science
Hydrology and Water Quality
International Development Studies
International Land and Water Management
Landscape Architecture and Planning
Leisure, Tourism and Environment
Management, Economics and Consumer Studies
Meteorology and Air Quality
Molecular Life Sciences
Nutrition and Health
Organic Agriculture
Public Health and Society (independent specialisation under Management, Economics and Consumer Studies)
Plant Biotechnology
Plant Sciences
Soil Science (now Earth and Environment)
Urban Environmental Management

PhD programme

The PhD programme is a four-year programme which consists of a research component and a smaller education component. To apply for a PhD position, the applicant must contact one of six the Graduate Schools of Wageningen University. In order to guarantee adequate supervision, the research subject must fit in the research programme of a Graduate School. The four-year PhD programme consists of a research component (conducting research under supervision and writing a thesis) and a smaller education component (up to 15% of the total PhD time). Upon completion of PhD programme, the PhD student is expected to be:

Able to function as an independent scientist.
Able to integrate his or her own work in the theoretical framework of his or her discipline in a broader area of research and able to communicate this in a scientific or general setting.
Competent in identifying priority areas of research and in formulating questions and experimental hypotheses pertinent to this research.

History

The Landbouwhogeschool Nederland (Netherlands Agricultural University) was established in 1918, successor to the Agricultural School founded in Wageningen in 1876.

Known later as Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU), today it is part of Wageningen University and Research Center (WUR), using the English name Wageningen University.

Mission and strategy

‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.’ That is the mission of Wageningen UR (University & Research centre). Within the domain of ‘healthy food and living environment’, Wageningen UR works around the globe conducting research for government agencies and the business community. The strength of Wageningen UR lies in its ability to join the forces of specialised research institutes, Wageningen University and Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences. It also lies in the combined efforts of the various fields of natural and social sciences. This union of expertise leads to scientific breakthroughs that can quickly be put into practice and be incorporated into education. This is the Wageningen Approach.The Wageningen Approach : Issues within the Wageningen domain are almost never exclusively natural, technical or social by nature. There are always multiple, usually synergetic, approaches and possible solutions. Wageningen UR therefore fosters the unique interaction between the natural and social sciences. Both sets of disciplines are part of a coherent package of research, education and services. This integrated approach offers additional possibilities for the effective application of expertise in policy or in practice. Wageningen UR maintains open relations with other domains and disciplines. Research agendas are composed in coordination with governments, the business community, special interest groups, and other universities and research institutes in the Netherlands and abroad. As a result, science and education can have an actual impact on society as a whole. Ambition
It is the ambition at Wageningen UR to distinguish itself by offering education and research of excellent quality thereby becoming the European institute of knowledge within the domain of healthy food and living environment.

Research

Fundamental, application-oriented and applied research is conducted within the domain of ‘healthy food and living environment’ at Wageningen University. Research is conducted by the 92 chair groups of Wageningen University, nine research institutes and a range of expertise centres that work together with other national and international universities, research institutes and the business community. The scientific quality of Wageningen University is assured by Wageningen Graduate Schools and its seven graduate schools. The research institutes enjoy regular visits by international panels.

Fundamental research is mainly the work of university researchers and aims to answer questions arising from the scientific practice itself. Typical of the Wageningen Approach is that scientific processes never stand alone but are always related to social processes. The advancement of fundamental research is of great importance in achieving technical breakthroughs in society-at-large.

Application-oriented research takes place primarily at the research institutes. This type of research focuses partly on developing expertise and products that can be applied within two to five years. The other part of this research supports policy formulation. In general, application-oriented research consists of short-term research assignments commissioned by government, business life or private/public funds. Applied research at Wageningen UR has a strong regional orientation. Regional centres are involved with the application of expertise to answer concrete, application-oriented practical questions.Wageningen UR supports the Dutch and European governments in the implementation of rules and regulations that are necessary to assure safe food, healthy animals and a sustainable living environment. Wageningen UR and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation have confirmed their collaboration in conducting legal research assignments in an agreement.

Research Institutes

The following research institutes are part of Wageningen UR:

Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI Wageningen UR)
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG)
Alterra - Research Institute for the Green World (ALTERRA)
International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement (ILRI)
Animal Sciences Group (ASG)
Applied Plant Research (PPO)
Central Institute for Animal Disease Control (CIDC-Lelystad)
Centre for Development Innovation (CDI)
Plant Research International (PRI)
RIKILT-Institute of Food Safety

Legal Research Assignments

Wageningen UR supports the government in the implementation of rules and regulations that are necessary to assure safe food, healthy animals and a sustainable living environment. The ensuing agreement, WOT statute, commissions two institutes and four programmes to carry out the legal research assignments.
Institutes for Legal Research Assignments:

Central Veterinary Institute is the national reference laboratory for the Dutch government contributing to the health protection of animals and humans in the Netherlands. It is also an international operating research institute carrying out contract research commissioned by the business community.
RIKILT – Institute of Food Safety is a Dutch independent scientific organisation that carries out high-grade research into the safety, health and quality of Dutch food and feed.

Programme units for Legal Research Assignments:

WOT Nature & Environment supports the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation in the implementation of legislation concerning the nature and environment policy.
Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (GCN) conducts legal research assignments associated with the genetic diversity and identity of species that are important for agriculture and forestry, on behalf of the Dutch government.
Centre for Economic Information (CEI) is responsible for the effective and efficient collection, transcription, entry in and management of databases. Furthermore, it presents the statistical results of diverse activities and factors of the agricultural sector within the Netherlands and beyond.
Centre for Fisheries Research (CVO) concerns itself with the management of the fishery as laid down in national and international legislation, such as the collection of statistics about fisheries and fish stocks, and giving management advice.

Domain

Healthy food and living environment
In the Strategic Plan 2011 - 2014, the domain of Wageningen UR consists of three interconnected core areas:

Health, Lifestyle, Livelihood The influence of people’s behavioural choices regarding health, food and living environment. The behaviour of consumers, citizens or recreational participants, the attitude towards risks and uncertainty, the perception of quality and safety, and the relationship between food safety and poverty, particularly in developing countries.

Food and Food productionThe production and supply side in the food chain: sustainable agriculture/horticulture and fisheries/aquaculture, international food chains and networks, health aspects of food and the use of biomass within the scope of a bio-based economy.
Living EnvironmentNature, landscape, land usage, water and ocean management, and the various competing claims on space. This also includes biodiversity and the sustainability of management and production.

Research themes

Themes of fundamental, strategic and application-oriented research:

Animal health
Chains and Agro-logistics
Climate change
Food safety
Organisation and use of green and blue area
Plant and animal for human health
Scientific toolbox
Sustainable agriculture
Transition processes, institutions and management and policy

International projects

Wageningen UR International project database

This international project database contains the overview per country of international projects with Wageningen UR involvement. Click on a drop for a descriptions of the project. Numbered drops mean that there are more projects in that specific country.

Education & Training

Wageningen UR offers a broad range of studies and (short) courses focusing on the domain ‘healthy food and living environment’. Students are stimulated to combine the natural and social sciences; from plant sciences to economics and from food ingredients technology to sociology. This multidisciplinary approach helps students to build bridges and to apply their specialised knowledge to other subjects. Wageningen’s studies have their roots in society and are always focused on finding solutions for societal problems. Education is offered at various levels. Wageningen University offers academic education and the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences offers professional education. This unique combination of academic and professional education has led to a coherent system of bachelor and master programmes in the domain of healthy food and living environment. While Wageningen University students can strengthen their professional skills by taking courses at Van Hall Larenstein, the Van Hall Larenstein students can seamlessly continue their studies at Wageningen University. Wageningen UR also offers post-graduate study programmes, trainings and courses thereby meeting the growing demand for continuing (lifelong) education.
Wageningen Business School organises post-academic studies, courses and in-company programmes on the basis of the knowledge and research themes of Wageningen University. WBS is specialised in policy, management and entrepreneurship in relation to food, green space, water and environment, and animal sciences.

Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation offers seminars and trainings that strengthen the capacities of individuals and organisations in, amongst others, developing countries.

Van Hall Larenstein Training & Consultancy offers courses and trainings in the area of life sciences, rural and environmental development, animal management and agrarian entrepreneurship.

Panorama of the campus of Wageningen University with the Forum, Gaia, Lumen and Atlas buildings on the left, the sport center in the foreground, and the northeastern part of Wageningen on the right.

Van Hall-Larenstein School of Higher Professional Education

The Van Hall-Larenstein School was formed out of a merger of the Van Hall Instituut and Larenstein, School of Professional Education.Van Hall Larenstein offers 14 bachelor’s degree programmes and 6 professional master’s degree programmes to a total of 4,400 students of 20 nationalities. The study programmes are mainly in Dutch.

Rankings

In the 2011 Times Higher Education World University Rankings Wageningen University was ranked 75th overall in the world. In the THE life sciences ranking, Wageningen was ranked 17th, being the highest placed life sciences university in continental Europe .

In the more specialised Higher Education Evaluation & Accreditation Council of Taiwan Wageningen University is ranked second in the field of agriculture, behind the University of California, Davis.The Shanghai Index ranks Wageningen University as number 37 in the field of Life Sciences and Agriculture.

Student activities and associations

Nitocra is the study association for students International land and water management.
WSBV Sylvatica is the study Association for students Forest and Nature conservation.
De Veetelers is the study association for Animal Sciences students. The name means "Animal Breeders". It was founded in 1962.
StEL is the study Association for Organic Agriculture students.
Semper Florens is the study Association for Plant Scientists and Plant Biotechnologists.
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.
Mercurius is the study Association for Consumer studies. It was founded in 2000.
Ipso Facto is the study Association for International Development students.
Heeren XVII is the study Association for Agrotechnology students. It was founded on 1 April 1965.
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.
Di-Et-Tri is the study Association for Nutrition and health students.
CODON is the study Asscociation 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 English.
B.V.W. 'Biologica' is the study Association for all Biology Students.
M.S.V. Alchimica is the study association for students Molecular Life Sciences. For over 35 years it has been organising different activities for its members.
Pyrus is the study association for students Soil, water and atmosphere.
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.
Aktief Slip is the study association for students participating in the study programmes Milieukunde (BMK), Environmental Sciences (MES) and Urban Environmental Management (MUE). The name is in Dutch and originates from the bacteria containing material (active sludge), that is used to clean water, soil and air. It was founded in 1966.