Utrecht University world leader in Physical Geography

According to the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), the Utrecht Physical Geography group is the world's best. At this time of climate change and population growth, the research that its academics are conducting into global water supplies is of major importance.

A model developed in Utrecht is proving to be an important instrument for sustainably managing worldwide water supplies. The model simulates floods and droughts and helps us gain a better understanding of complex hydrological processes. This partly involves making use of satellite imagery and drones. They observe how the glaciers in the Himalayas are changing and what impact this is having on major rivers in Asia, such as the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, on which millions of people's lives depend. The documentary ‘Himalayan Water Tower’ shows how the researchers approach their work.

CWUR

The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) from the United Arab Emirates began publishing a ranking of performance in education (in approximate terms) and research in 2012. It uses public data to create the rankings: awards and recognition for academic staff and alumni, the number of alumni who are CEOs of leading international companies, the number of publications and patents and citations of both of these. In the CWUR list of universities with the most top-10 positions for academic disciplines, Utrecht University ranks 37th.
 

Himalayan Water Tower

Sustainability

By combining its expertise in the field of sustainability, Utrecht University develops integrated solutions for sustainability issues and contributes to a better future for upcoming generations. The theme brings together the outstanding sustainability research across the arts and humanities, natural sciences and social and behavioural sciences in Utrecht. Sustainability is one of Utrecht University's four strategic research themes.