Term begins for Amsterdam University College
Centre for academic excellence
Amsterdam’s newest academic facility - Amsterdam University College (AUC) was officially opened on 22 September 2009, marking first term for some 200 outstanding students that have been selected for its single liberal arts and sciences bachelor course.
The undergraduate programme is a joint venture between the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and VU University Amsterdam (VU), and is supported by the Amsterdam City Council and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). Mayor Job Cohen joined the opening ceremony in full support of the AUC initiative among a number of representatives from the Dutch higher education system.
Higher learning for new leaders
Mayor Cohen and Robbert Dijkgraaf, President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and professor at UvA, applauded the brand new faculty addressing the importance of international scope and excellence in education. AUC’s interdisciplinary curriculum is taught solely in English and already, as term gets underway, its international appeal is clear. Half of AUC students are from outside the Netherlands, hold dual nationality or have been previously educated abroad, with Dutch citizens accounting for the other 50%. These elite talents, chosen for their academic ability and motivation, will study broad-based science and social modules.
Marijk van der Wende, Dean of AUC and Professor of Innovation in Higher Education at VU, made the clear link between excellence and diversity: “In an international world, you must be able to collaborate and compete with one another. In this connection, both a thorough academic grounding and an understanding of each other’s culture and background are of enormous importance. Diversity is often wrongly seen as a problem rather than as an opportunity.” Amsterdam is home to over 177 different nationalities, making the AUC a perfect metaphor for a globalised society.
University colleges are an important addition to the Dutch higher education system, continued Marijk van der Wende: “AUC meets a need for greater differentiation in higher education, with its strong international dimension and emphasis on excellence. The OECD has regularly stressed the need for this approach in the Netherlands. It is also important to avoid early specialization, as students need to learn how to place major scientific and societal issues in an interdisciplinary and international context.”
City of knowledge
By association with the UvA and the VU, both of which rated among the top 100 European Universities in the recent Shanghai world rankings, the initiative is a valuable addition to the city's exceptional academic, community and international profile.
Mayor Cohen reinforced this message referencing Amsterdam as a city of knowledge: “AUC contributes to Amsterdam’s profile as a city of knowledge and we all stand to benefit, from the international business community to research institutes and the government. Today’s social, economic and academic challenges require people with a broad vision and an excellent academic background. AUC educates these people.”
With two universities and more than 50% of its population made up of graduates, Amsterdam has a strong academic tradition. That profile will be enhanced by greater cooperation between the City Council, universities, government, and industry.
International scope
Many key players from Amsterdam’s business community and government have already voiced their support for AUC. Alexander Rinnooy Kan, President of the Socio-Economic Council of the Netherlands, commented: “the AUC initiative is both useful and necessary as it accommodates the needs of a talented student group with an interest in a broad university education.”
Robbert Dijkgraaf also outlined the programme’s importance from a wider social perspective: “We live in a society that is becoming increasingly dependent on science and technology. At the same time, major issues such as energy, climate, and sustainability can only be studied by means of an interdisciplinary approach.”
For more information, visit AUC.
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