24 Sep 2007
Unit:
LEI
As of 1 January 2008, Professor R.B.M. (Ruud) Huirne (44) will become general director of the Social Sciences Group at Wageningen UR (University and Research centre). He succeeds Dr J.C. (Jan) Blom who is retiring.
Ruud Huirne has been general director of the Animal Sciences Group at Wageningen UR since the beginning of 2004 as well as extraordinary professor of Economics of Animal Health and Food Safety at Wageningen University. Prior to this, besides his professorship, he was director of the Institute for Risk Management in Agriculture (IRMA), a position he still holds. As an independent institute within Wageningen UR, IRMA is engaged in analysing and managing the risks in the agricultural sector based on scientific principles. Between November 2001 and March 2004, besides his professorship he was also scientific director of the Social Sciences Group at Wageningen UR.
Ruud Huirne graduated cum laude in Agricultural Economics from Wageningen University and was awarded his PhD in 1990 on his thesis Computerized Management Support for Swine Breeding Farms.
The Social Sciences Group at Wageningen UR consists of the Social Sciences Department of Wageningen University and LEI research institute. Through research and education, the group focuses on promoting the quality of food, the living environment and living conditions in (international) society.
This is achieved through the input and collaboration of various economic and social science disciplines. Attention to issues relating to economics, culture and nature is thus evenly distributed within the group. In 2006, the Social Sciences Group achieved a turnover of 55 million Euros. It employs 700 staff.
While awaiting the appointment of his successor as general director of the Animal Sciences Group, Huirne will continue to act in this capacity besides his position as director of SSG.
The Animal Sciences Group conducts research into and provides academic instruction about the various functions which animals fulfil in our society. The Animal Sciences Group employs around 900 staff. It has big branches in Lelystad (Livestock farming, infectious diseases and Products) and in Wageningen (Animal Sciences Department at Wageningen University), as well as 8 practice-based research centres all over the Netherlands.
NOTE FOR THE EDITORS
For more information: Simon Vink, Corporate Communication Department, Wageningen UR, tel. +31 (0)317482466 or 06 53831629.
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