Amsterdam University College Opens
Amsterdam University College (AUC) was officially opened on 22 September, 2009. AUC is a joint initiative of 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. During the opening ceremony, Job Cohen and Robbert Dijkgraaf addressed the importance of international scope and excellence in education.
Excellence and Diversity in a Global City
Marijk van der Wende, Dean of AUC and Professor of Innovation in Higher Education at VU University Amsterdam, outlined how the university colleges contribute to the Dutch higher education system. “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.”
AUC’s motto is Excellence and Diversity in a Global City. According to Van der Wende there is a direct 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.” In the context of diversity, AUC has also established a clear link with the city of Amsterdam. AUC sees this metropolis, with its 177 different nationalities, both as an active learning environment and as a metaphor for our increasingly globalized society.
City of knowledge
Mayor Cohen identified ways in which AUC contributes to Amsterdam’s position as a city of knowledge. 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. “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.”
Robbert Dijkgraaf, President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and professor at the University of Amsterdam, examined the role of science education and the importance of linking it to other disciplines, the very approach adopted by AUC’s educational programme. “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.” Dijkgraaf believes that it is essential to boost cooperation between the various fields of science.
Amsterdam University College
AUC is a selective liberal arts and sciences bachelor programme offering interdisciplinary education. Broad-based scientific and social questions are at the heart of the curriculum. Students approach these questions from an interdisciplinary perspective, working in international groups. Particular attention is paid to the sciences and to the development of academic skills.
AUC students are selected on the basis of their academic abilities and motivation. Some 200 have been admitted for the 2009-2010 academic year, out of over 400 applications. This level of interest shows that higher education of this kind – selective, intensive and on a small scale – is highly valued by prospective students. About half of the first group of AUC students come from outside the Netherlands, hold dual nationality or have been previously educated abroad.
Press release - City of Amsterdam - 22 September 2009