Speakers Dies Natalis

Martin Kropff
Martin Kropff is Rector Magnificus of Wageningen University and Vice-president of Wageningen University and Research Centre. He completed his Master’s in biology at Utrecht University and his PhD at Wageningen University, both cum laude.
After his PhD, he went to the Philippines to lead the international programme on systems analysis and simulation of the International Rice Research Institute for a period of four years.
He returned to Wageningen University to become professor in, what is now called, the chair group of Crop and Weed Ecology.
From 1998 to 2002 he was scientific director of the C.T. de Wit graduate school.


Ruben Smit
Ruben Smits' documentary The New Wilderness has brought Holland’s nature back into the spotlight. The New Wilderness was awarded the Rembrandt award as well as the prestigious ‘Gouden Kalf’ award.
In a passionate address Ruben Smit will share his work and reveal the source of his commitment: the amazement with, and fascination for, nature.
His scientific background as a PhD ecologist at Wageningen University has greatly influenced the way he works. He uses the ecosystem view, where the storylines in the nature documentary focus on interaction and collaboration between animals and species. He will focus on the role of the individual, and illustrate how it is the individual that is best capable of telling the story of nature’s intricacy and complexity. A unique key-note address, and an ode to nature, against the backdrop of unique, previously unreleased film fragments.
More information on Ruben and his work can be found here.



Theme
Fascinating nature
Programme
9 March 2015
11.45 - 14.30 Symposium
14.30 - 17.00 Official Dies celebration