News
Professor Dr Ir. Dick de Ridder appointed as Dean of Education
The Executive Board of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has appointed Professor Dr Ir. Dick de Ridder as Dean of Education, effective from 1 September. He will succeed Professor Dr Ir. Arnold Bregt, whose term ends. In this role, Professor De Ridder will be responsible for the quality and innovation of education at WUR. He previously led the Bioinformatics Group within WUR’s Plant Sciences Group.
Rector Magnificus Carolien Kroeze commented on his appointment: “Dick de Ridder is a scholar who actively promotes collaboration and education in bioinformatics and data science. He is analytically strong, constructively critical, and open-minded. His dedication to teaching—challenging students to realise their full potential—combined with his broad experience within the university, makes him the ideal candidate to further develop our educational strategy.”
Professor De Ridder emphasises the vital role of education at a university: “WUR is a unique institution offering tremendous opportunities for research and education at the intersection of natural, social, and technical sciences. It is a place where academics join forces to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. My ambition is to translate the educational ambitions outlined in the new Strategic Plan and the Vision for Education into concrete actions—empowering students to take ownership of their learning and ensuring that teachers are well-supported in this process.”
Curriculum Vitae
Dick de Ridder obtained his MSc in Computer Engineering (cum laude) in 1996 and his PhD in December 2001, both from Delft University of Technology. He developed an early interest in education and obtained his University Teaching Qualification in 2007. Since 2013, he has been a professor at Wageningen University & Research, where he led and expanded the Bioinformatics Group, now comprising nearly 50 staff members. Since 2021, he has been a member of the Board of Education. Professor De Ridder has supervised 29 PhD candidates through to the completion of their dissertations.