Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research (also known as Wageningen UR; abbreviation: WUR) is a public research university in Wageningen, Netherlands, specializing in life sciences with a focus on agriculture, technical and engineering subjects. It is a globally important center for life sciences and agricultural research. It is located in a region of the Netherlands known as the Food Valley.
WUR consists of Wageningen University and the former agricultural research institutes of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Wageningen University, as a research university, grants degrees at the BSc, MSc and PhD level in life and social sciences. It 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 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 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 (Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek / Service of agricultural research) 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), next to the alternative use of the name Wageningen University and Research. On 6 September 2016 Wageningen University and the research institutes became 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 program. The university consequently applies this system, thus promoting the mobility of students within Europe and preventing study delay.
BSc programs
The university offers 19 BSc programs (2018-2019). For some BSc programs, the language of instruction is English. Other programs teach in both Dutch and English. The programs start each year in September, last three years, and consist of 180 ECTS credits. The programs are in the field of economy and society, health, life sciences and technology, nature and environment, animals and plants.
MSc programs
Wageningen University offers 36 different MSc programs (2017-2018) and two online masters programs. Although formally the same MSc program, from 2022 onwards the Master of Management Economic and Consumer studies program was offered as 5 independent MSc tracks (Sustainable Business Innovations, Sustainable Supply Chain Analytics, Consumer Studies, Economics of Sustainability, Governance of Sustainability Transformations) The language of instruction for all Master's programs is English. The programs start each year in September, they last two years, and consist of 120 ECTS credits. Most programs offer various specializations and possibilities for majors, as well as full or partial premaster tracks for candidates not fulfilling all entry requirements.
PhD program
The PhD program is a four-year program which consists of a research component (conducting research under supervision and writing a thesis) and a smaller education component (up to 10 percent of the total PhD time).
Research institutes
The following research institutes are part of Wageningen Research:
Wageningen Environmental Research, formerly Alterra
Wageningen Economic Research, formerly LEI Wageningen UR
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, formerly Central Veterinary Institute
Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, formerly Centre for Development Innovation
Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, formerly Food & Biobased Research
Wageningen Livestock Research
Wageningen Marine Research, formerly IMARES
Wageningen Plant Research
Dairy Campus
Wageningen Food Safety Research, formerly RIKILT
Controversy
Wageningen University and Research has come under fire due to claims of partiality in research. One case regards a research concerning bee colony collapse disorder. Research conducted by Tjeerd Blacquière on the topic has caused controversy due to funding received for the research from the German pesticide producer Bayer, the world's biggest producer of neonicotinoid insecticides, a suspect factor for the colony collapse disorder.
In 2018 the Dutch magazine OneWorld went to court in an attempt to demand access to contracts between WUR and Bayer, Syngenta and Monsanto, but OneWorld ultimately lost the court case.
Rankings
International rankings
In the field of life sciences, agricultural and environmental science, the university is considered world-class. 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.
In the 2019 U.S. News & World Report Ranking Wageningen University & Research is ranked first in agricultural sciences, plant and animal sciences, and environment/ecology.
In the 2017/2018 National Taiwan Ranking Wageningen University is ranked first in the field of agriculture.
In the 2017/2018 National Taiwan Ranking Wageningen University is ranked first in the field of Environment & Ecology.
In the 2016 Shanghai Ranking Wageningen University was ranked in the bracket 101-150th best universities in the world overall and 36th best in the life and agriculture sciences.
In the 2017 Times Higher Education World University Rankings Wageningen University was ranked 25th overall in the world and 16th in life sciences.
In the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2017 Wageningen University & Research is ranked first in the field of Food Science & Technology.
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.
National rankings
The Dutch '' ranking compares Dutch universities based on reviews by their own students. In 2022 Wageningen University is ranked as the best university in the Netherlands in full-time education for the 18th time in a row.
In 2015 Wageningen University was awarded as the most sustainable Dutch University by , for the third time in a row.
Student activities and associations
Pyrus is the study association for Bsc Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Msc Earth and Environment students. The study association was established in 1989 after the study programme changed its name to Soil, Water, Atmosphere.
M.S.V. Alchimica is the study association for students Molecular Life Sciences. Since 1970 it has been organising different activities for its members.
CODON is the study Association for all Biotechnology (BBT and MBT), Bioinformatics (MBF) and Biobased Sciences (MBS) students. Established by the first students of Bioprocestechnologie on 16 September 1991. At that time the association carried the name "BiPS" which was later changed to CODON.
Nitocra is the study association for students of International Land and Water management.
Semper Florens is the study association for students of the bachelor Plant Sciences (BPS), the master Plant Sciences (MPS), the master Plant Biotechnology (MPB) and the master Organic Agriculture (MOA).
HeerenXVII is the study association for students of following the bachelor 'Agrotechnologie' or the masters ' Biosystems Engineering'.
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 social science association for students at the WUR following either the bachelor 'management and consumer studies', 'economics and governance' or the master 'Management, Economics and Consumer studies'.
Licere is the study association of the students for MTO Tourism, Leisure and Environment masters programme.
Notable alumni and staff
Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Dirk Bezemer (born 1971), economist
Jan Bieleman
Jan Just Bos
Gerrit Braks
Jeroen Dijsselbloem
Heather M. Ferguson
Louise Fresco
Volkert van der Graaf, murderer of Pim Fortuyn
Gerrit Hiemstra
J. G. ten Houten, extraordinarius (Extraordinary Professor) from 1971-'76
George Tawia Odamtten
Piet de Jong
Martijn Katan
Ruud Koopmans
Joan Leemhuis-Stout
Gatze Lettinga
Helga van Leur
F. H. van Naerssen
Jan Odink
Ramsewak Shankar
Bernard Slicher van Bath
Willie Smits
Marco Fraaije
, first Dutch woman on Mount Everest
Jan-Benedict Steenkamp
Jan Valckenier Suringar
Abbie Richards
Cees Veerman
Louise Vet
Annemiek van Vleuten
Joris Voorhoeve
Anne Vondeling
Marijke Vos
Willem de Vos (academic)
Henk Vredeling
Simon Vroemen
, CEO of Heineken
Hendrik de Wit
Michael Sergiev
See also
List of agricultural universities
World Soil Museum
Open access in the Netherlands
References
External links
Wageningen University & Research
1918 establishments in the Netherlands
Agricultural universities and colleges in the Netherlands
Education in Gelderland
Universities and colleges established in 1918
Forestry education
History of Wageningen
Technical universities and colleges in the Netherlands