Yvonne van Rooy, President of the Executive Board:
“Utrecht University contributes to the future of our society”
“Our researchers conduct ground-breaking
research and are engaged in finding answers to the questions which will shape tomorrow’s society. At the same time we are teaching talented young people to become professionals who are able to grow towards holding positions of great responsibility in tomorrow’s world. Talent and the Future, these are the key concepts that make being President of the Executive Board of this university such a fascinating experience."
Excelling
“Our university is working hard to achieve a culture in which students are proud to excel and in which differences in talent and ambition are appreciated. Ten years ago, Utrecht University launched its University College, a broad undergraduate programme which offers small-scale and in-depth courses to selected students. Besides this, faculties have developed special honours programmes for exceptionally motivated and ambitious students over the past few years.”
Quality of Education
“The insights and results which have been obtained through the University College and the honours programmes are applied as much as possible to our regular teaching programmes. Across the university this enhances the quality of our teaching. Our undergraduate students have by far the best success-rate of all Dutch universities. Of all the students who started their undergraduate programme in 2003, 55 per cent had gained their undergraduate degree within four years. Nationwide this was only 40 per cent. These excellent results are owed to a number of measures and teaching reforms, such as small-scale courses based on active learning, continuous testing and limited resit options, and the obligatory teaching qualifications for teaching staff members. But above all the excellent results are a reflection of our teaching staff’s commitment."
15 Focus Areas
“In research we likewise strive to maintain the highest possible standard of quality. Utrecht University has centred its attention on 15 multidisciplinary research focus areas, all of which are of an exceptionally high quality and are able to contribute towards solving current issues of public concern.
Strategic alliances
This makes us an interesting partner for representatives of the world of business, trade and industry, both on a national and international level. Owing to the supreme quality of our research they all know where to find us. The same applies to various social organisations, ranging from health care to cultural institutions. That is why we are increasingly developing strategic alliances with numerous business operations and social organisations.”