Organization:Wageningen University and Research

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Short description: University in the Netherlands
Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University and Research logo.png
Motto in English
To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life
TypePublic university
Established1876 as an agricultural college. Recognized in 1918 as a public university
Executive Board PresidentLouise Fresco
Students12001 (2017-18)
Undergraduates5659 (2017-18)
Postgraduates5821 (2017-18)
Other students
521 (2017-18)
Location
Wageningen
,
Gelderland
,
Netherlands
[[Social:School colors|Wageningen Green and Wageningen Blue[1]
         |u}}rs]]
Wageningen Green and Wageningen Blue[1]
         
AffiliationsEuroleague for Life Sciences, EUA, 4TU
MascotWUR Wolf
Websitewww.wur.nl/en.htm

Wageningen University & Research (also known as Wageningen UR; abbreviation: WUR) is a public research university in Wageningen, The Netherlands. It is located in a region of the Netherlands known as the Food Valley.

WUR consists of Wageningen University and the former agricultural research institute of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Wageningen University 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. It is widely known for its agriculture, forestry, and environmental studies programs. 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.

WUR has been placed in the top 150 universities in the world by three major ranking tables. Wageningen is voted as number 1 university in the Netherlands fifteen years in a row. The university is listed number 59 in the world by the Times Higher Education Ranking. It has also been ranked the world's best in the field of Agriculture & Forestry by the QS World University Rankings from 2016-2020[2][3][4][5][6]. Wageningen University is ranked #1 in the fields of plant/animal science, environment/ecology, and agricultural sciences by U.S. News & World Report. The university is also well-known as the world's best in food science and technology.

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 opening date and official start date 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 organisation was rebranded as Wageningen UR (Wageningen University and Research Centre); with the University being renamed Wageningen University. Under 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, the collaboration 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, and that university research could be presented under the name of the university: Wageningen University (WU) (as an alternative of using the name Wageningen UR).[7][8] On 6 September 2016 Wageningen University and the research institutes becameas one joint brand: Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

On 9 March 2018 Wageningen University celebrated her 100 years anniversary. During this year there were many events and festivities around the campus and in the city of Wageningen.

Academic profile

Wageningen University 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. The university consequently applies this system, thus promoteing the mobility of students within Europe and preventing study delay.

BSc programmes

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

The University offers 19 BSc programmes[9] (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, 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.

MSc programmes

Panorama of the greenhouse of the Lumen building

Wageningen University offers a 36 different MSc programmes[10] (2017-2018) and two online masters programs.[11] 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.

PhD programme

The PhD programme is a four-year programme which consists of a research component (conducting research under supervision and writing a thesis) and a smaller education component (up to 15 percent of the total PhD time). To apply for a PhD position, the applicant must contact one of the six Graduate Schools of Wageningen University.[12] In order to guarantee adequate supervision, the research subject must fit in the research programme of a Graduate School.

Research Institutes

The following research institutes are part of Wageningen Research:

  • Wageningen Environmental Research, formerly Alterra[13]
  • Wageningen Economic Research, formerly LEI Wageningen UR[14]
  • Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, formerly Central Veterinary Institute[15]
  • Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, formerly Centre for Development Innovation[16]
  • Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, formerly Food & Biobased Research[17]
  • Wageningen Livestock Research[18]
  • Wageningen Marine Research, formerly IMARES[19]
  • Wageningen Plant Research[20]
  • Dairy Campus[21][22][23]
  • Wageningen Food Safety Research, formerly RIKILT[24]
Panorama of the campus of Wageningen University & Research

Rankings

International Rankings

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World[25]151-200 (2019)
CWTS World[26]210 (2019)
QS World[27]115 (2021)
THE World[28]59 (2020)
USNWR Global[29]79 (2020)

In the field of life sciences, agricultural and environmental science, the university is considered world-class.[30][31][32] 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.[33]

  • In the 2019 U.S. News & World Report Ranking[34] Wageningen University & Research is ranked first in agricultural sciences, plant and animal sciences, and environment/ecology.
  • In the 2017/2018 National Taiwan Ranking[35] Wageningen University is ranked first in the field of agriculture.[36]
  • In the 2017/2018 National Taiwan Ranking[35] Wageningen University is ranked first in the field of Environment & Ecology.[37]
  • In the 2016 Shanghai Ranking Wageningen University was ranked in the bracket 101-150th best universities in the world overall[38] and 36th best in the life and agriculture sciences.[39]
  • In the 2017 Times Higher Education World University Rankings[40] Wageningen University was ranked 25th overall in the world and 16th in life sciences.
  • In the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2017[41] Wageningen University & Research is ranked first in the field of Food Science & Technology.[42]
  • In the 2016/2017 QS World University Rankings, Wageningen University was ranked 119th overall in the world, first in the field of agriculture and forestry, fourth in environmental science, 13th in development studies, and 83rd in life sciences and medicine.[43]

National rankings

  • The Dutch 'Keuzegids [nl]' ranking compares Dutch universities based on reviews by their own students. In 2013 Wageningen University is ranked as the best university in the Netherlands in full-time education for the 16th time in a row.
  • In 2015 Wageningen University was awarded as the most sustainable Dutch University by Morgen (organization) [nl], for the third time in a row.
100 years WUR on the campus

Student activities and associations

The mascot of the university, the WURwolf
  • M.S.V. Alchimica is the study association for students Molecular Life Sciences. Since 1970 it has been organising different activities for its members.[44]
  • CODON is the study Association for all Biotechnology (BBT and MBT), Bioinformatics (MBF) and Biobased Sciences (MBS) 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.[45]
  • Nitocra is the study association for students of International Land and Water management.
  • 'Nicolas Appert is the study association of the students for Food Technology including all masters programmes. It is named after the famous professor Nicolas Appert who invented the technique of 'canning'.
  • 'Mercurius is the largest social science association for students at the WUR following either the bachelor 'management and consumer studies' and 'economics and law'.

Notable alumni and staff


See also

  • List of agricultural universities
  • World Soil Museum
  • Open access in the Netherlands

References

  1. Huisstijlhandboek – website of the Wageningen University and Research
  2. "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016 - Agriculture & Forestry" (in en). 2016-03-17. https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2016/agriculture-forestry. 
  3. "Agriculture & Forestry" (in en). 2017-03-02. https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2017/agriculture-forestry. 
  4. "Agriculture & Forestry" (in en). 2018-02-22. https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2018/agriculture-forestry. 
  5. "Agriculture & Forestry" (in en). 2019-02-15. https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2019/agriculture-forestry. 
  6. "Agriculture & Forestry" (in en). 2020-02-24. https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2020/agriculture-forestry. 
  7. "Wageningen Universiteit (WU)" (in Dutch). Studie.nl. http://www.studie.nl/school/W/Wageningen_Universiteit_%28WU%29. Retrieved 6 March 2013. 
  8. "History of Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/About-Wageningen-UR/History-of-Wageningen-UR.htm. Retrieved 6 March 2013. 
  9. "Bachelor's". 2012-08-30. https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Bachelor.htm. 
  10. "Master's". 2019-02-06. https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/master.htm. 
  11. "Student Service Centre - Wageningen UR". Wageningenuniversity.nl. http://www.wageningenuniversity.nl/UK/informationfor/stud-eu/. Retrieved 2013-07-09. 
  12. "PhD Programme - Wageningen University". Wageningenuniversity.nl. http://www.wageningenuniversity.nl/UK/research/Graduate+schools/. Retrieved 2013-07-09. 
  13. "Wageningen Environmental Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/Environmental-Research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  14. "Wageningen Economic Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/Economic-Research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  15. "Wageningen Bioveterinary Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/Bioveterinary-Research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  16. "Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/centre-for-development-innovation.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  17. "Wageningen Food & Biobased Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. 2015-12-10. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/food-biobased-research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  18. "Wageningen Livestock Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/livestock-research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  19. "Wageningen Marine Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/marine-research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  20. "Wageningen Plant Research - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/plant-research.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  21. Over Ons, website of the Dairy Campus
  22. Tiemen Roos, Op Dairy Campus leveren koeien vooral data, Reformatorisch Dagblad, 26 May 2016
  23. Meindert Schroor (ed.), Nieuwe Encyclopedie van Fryslân, Gorredijk/Leeuwarden (Utgeverij Bornmeer/Tresoar), 2016, ISBN:978-9 05 61 53 755, pp. 2173-2174.
  24. "RIKILT - Wageningen UR". Wageningenur.nl. https://www.wur.nl/en/Expertise-Services/Research-Institutes/rikilt.htm. Retrieved 2016-09-30. 
  25. "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2019". http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2019.html. Retrieved 2019-08-17. 
  26. "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2019". https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2019/list. Retrieved 2019-10-05. 
  27. "QS World University Rankings 2020". 2019-06-05. https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/wageningen-university-research. Retrieved 2019-07-15. 
  28. "World University Rankings 2020 - Wageningen University". https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/wageningen-university-research. Retrieved 2019-09-18. 
  29. "Best Global Universities 2020". ). https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings?page=8. Retrieved 2019-11-21. 
  30. "Subject Ranking 2015-2016: life sciences top 100". 9 October 2015. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2016/subject-ranking/life-sciences#!/paheeact.edu.tw. 
  31. "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015 - Environmental Sciences". 22 April 2015. http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2015/environmental-studies#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search=. 
  32. Viviano, Frank (September 2017). "This Tiny Country Feeds the World". National Geographic. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/09/holland-agriculture-sustainable-farming/. Retrieved 1 September 2017. 
  33. "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016 - Agriculture & Forestry". 17 March 2016. http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2016/agriculture-forestry#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search=. 
  34. "2019 U.S. News & World Report Rankings". https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/wageningen-university-and-research-center-501112. 
  35. 35.0 35.1 http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/Default.aspx
  36. "NTU Ranking, 2017 - Environment/Ecology". National Taiwan University Ranking. http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/TOP300.aspx?query=Environment&y=2017. Retrieved 2016-09-04. 
  37. "2017 National Taiwan University Ranking (NTURanking)". http://nturanking.lis.ntu.edu.tw/DataPage/TOP300.aspx?query=Environment&y=2017. 
  38. "University of Wageningen | Academic Ranking of World Universities - 2016 | Shanghai Ranking - 2016". http://www.shanghairanking.com/World-University-Rankings/University-of-Wageningen.html. 
  39. "Academic Ranking of World Universities in Life and Agriculture Sciences–2016". http://www.shanghairanking.com/FieldLIFE2016.html. 
  40. "World rankings–Europe". https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/wageningen-university-and-research-center?ranking-dataset=589595. Retrieved 2016-10-06. 
  41. "ARWU World University Rankings 2018 - Academic Ranking of World Universities". http://www.shanghairanking.com/index.html. 
  42. "ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2017 - Food Science & Technology | Shanghai Ranking - 2017". http://www.shanghairanking.com/Shanghairanking-Subject-Rankings/food-science-technology.html. 
  43. "QS World University Rankings". QS Quacquarelli Symonds. 2015-07-16. http://www.topuniversities.com/universities/wageningen-university#wur. Retrieved 2016-10-06. 
  44. "M.S.V. Alchimica". http://msvalchimica.nl/site/alchimica/geschiedenis/. Retrieved 14 April 2015. 
  45. "CODON". http://codon.nl/. Retrieved 14 April 2015. 
  46. "Profile: Fortuyn killer". 15 April 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1974572.stm. 

External links

[ ⚑ ] 51°58′01.52″N 5°39′30.97″E / 51.9670889°N 5.6586028°E / 51.9670889; 5.6586028