Dies Natalis

WUR in the World: Past, Present, and Future 

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) will celebrate its Dies Natalis on Friday 6 March, under the theme ‘WUR in the World: Past, Present, and Future’. We will reflect on our place on the global stage and on our connection to the world around us.

Historian Larissa Schulte Nordholt will discuss and reflect on our colonial past. An honest look at this shared history is essential if we are to better understand our role today. With that awareness, we continue to build meaningful relationships with partners around the world.

Lecturer Bert Bruins and Professor Aarti Gupta will explore how WUR can shape its international role with clarity, ambition, and impact. Aarti will reflect on the current moment and the dilemmas of today: where are we already contributing, and where could our connection to the world be stronger? Bert will show how we educate responsible changemakers, and how education and research together can contribute to a fairer future.

This Dies Natalis will also highlight the strength of tomorrow. Two early career researchers will demonstrate how, as responsible changemakers, they are already making an impact through independent research addressing global challenges.

We are looking forward to welcoming you on Friday 6 March, in Wageningen or online.

The official Dies Natalis celebration will be preceded by the pitches for the Research Award, organised by Wageningen Graduate Schools and made possible with support of University Fund Wageningen. More information on the programme of the Research Award will be available on the Research Award webpage.

14:00     Welcoming reception and registration
15:00     WUR in the World: Past, Present, and Future 

• Introduction
            Prof.dr Carolien Kroeze, Rector Magnificus and Vice-President of Wageningen University & Research
• Lectures
            Dr Larissa Schulte Nordholt, Researcher Economic and Environmental History
            Prof.dr Aarti Gupta, Personal Professor Global Environmental Governance 
            Ir. Bert Bruins, Programme Director International Land & Water Management
• Intermezzo
• Presentations by early career scientists Mukoma Kilakila MSc and Stellamaris Aju MSc
• Research Award
• Closing words by Rector Magnificus Prof.dr Carolien Kroeze

17:00     Drinks