Dies Natalis

WUR in the World: Past, Present, and Future 

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

Historian Larissa Schulte Nordholt discussed and reflected 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 explored how WUR can shape its international role with clarity, ambition, and impact. Aarti reflected 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 showed how we educate responsible changemakers, and how education and research together can contribute to a fairer future.

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

The official Dies Natalis celebration was 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 is available on the Research Award webpage.