Winter 2009-2010

Dear friends of the University of Groningen,

This 'University of Groningen Worldwide' newsletter offers me the opportunity to contact you, friends and international alumni of the University of Groningen. We think it is important to keep you up to date on the current events and accomplishments of the University of Groningen, especially now that the 400th anniversary of our University is approaching.

The University of Groningen has high ambitions. We would like our University to be regarded worldwide as one of the top research universities. This will definitely appeal to our international alumni, since this will reflect well on their curriculum vitae and they can therefore be even prouder of having a University of Groningen degree.
I would like to encourage you to visit the website of the University regularly. We are continuously searching for alumni who are in the news and we will post these news items on our website, which could be of interest to you. Furthermore, please do not hesitate to send us your remarks, questions and opinions. And, last but not least, please don’t forget to update your contact details in the alumni database. We enjoy staying in touch with you!

> Update your personal information in the alumni database

News from Groningen

Farewell Head of the Office for International Relations

On 12 November 2009, Madeleine Gardeur-Veltman stepped down as Head of the Office for International Relations. After being at the Office for over 25 years, Madeleine has accepted a new position within the University. Since 1984 the International Office has grown in line with the University’s ambitions, while internationalization has rooted itself firmly in the University strategy. In honour of Madeleine, many colleagues and international guests attended the symposium Inside Out on the influence of internationalization on the University’s daily business, followed by a reception. After the symposium she was awarded the university medal for her achievements by prof. Frans Zwarts, rector of the University. Madeleine now works as 'International Affairs Advisor to the Board'. Some of her activities so far have concerned relations with the Gulf States and setting up a Groningen Confucius Institute. You can find Madeleine in her new office at Oude Boteringestraat 44 and reach her by e-mail: m.c.gardeur-veltman rug.nl.

University of Groningen Worldwide

Economics and Psychology at the University of Groningen among the best in Europe

The Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE) has included the fields of psychology and economics at the University of Groningen in the Excellence Group of the best universities in Europe. The Excellence Group has only 69 members, which is 1.5 percent of the 4,500 European institutions of higher education.

University of Groningen one of the best places to work

The University of Groningen is in fourth place on the international list of Best Places to Work in Academia 2009, published by the American journal The Scientist. The University owes its high place to the Rosalind Franklin Fellowship Programme, among other things. The Scientist regards itself as the leading journal for life science professionals. It keeps its readers informed of the latest scientific developments and also publishes news on technology, industry and career opportunities. One aspect of the latter is a top 10 for international institutes where it is particularly pleasant for academics to work.

European Union awarded highly esteemed Erasmus Mundus status to two Life Sciences programmes: CEMACUBE and MEME

After a highly competitive selection procedure, two new international Life Sciences Master programmes for which the University or Groningen is the coordinating institution, were awarded the highly esteemed Erasmus Mundus Master status. MEME, the Erasmus Mundus Master in Evolutionary Biology, and CEMACUBE, the Common European Master Course in Biomedical Engineering, have started their application procedures for the 2010 editions of the programmes.

> read more

International Research

Groningen economists predict medal ranking Vancouver: four gold medals for the Netherlands?

According to the model of economists Gerard Kuper and Elmer Sterken, the Netherlands are going to win 11 medals at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, four of which gold, four silver and three bronze. The Netherlands will finish in 10th place in the medal rankings. The battle for the top position in the medal ranking will be fierce. > read more

Four ERC Starting Grants for University of Groningen researchers: laureates in the limelight

"It shows that we have top talent and we are proud of you", said rector prof. Frans Zwarts, who congratulated the laureates with their grant achievement. A festive lunch was organized on 27 January in honour of the three ERC Starting Grant laureates of the University who were known at that moment: Prof. Dr. Amina Helmi (Astronomy, Kapteyn Institute), Prof. Dr. Andreas Herrmann (Polymer Chemistry and Bio-engineering, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials) and Dr. Andrey Baryshev (Astronomy, Kapteyn Institute and SRON). > read more

Three top Groningen researchers win Vici grants

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded three academics from the University of Groningen a so-called Vici grant. The grant is up to EUR 1,500,000 per person and is one of the largest personal grants in the Netherlands. The grants enable researchers to set up their own research groups over a period of five years.

Alumni Affairs

Sinterklaas went to China for the first time!

The Netherlands Alumni Network China (NANC) organized another Annual General Event (AGE) on 5 December 2009. One of the highlights of AGE 2009 was the Sinterklaas Celebration, when Sinterklaas came to greet all the alumni living in Shanghai. AGE is the biggest and most important alumni event organized by NANC every year. Alumni get together to recall the cheerful, memorable times they had in the Netherlands. > read more

Holland Alumni Conference: 120 alumni from 64 countries gathered

In November 2009, a successful Holland Alumni Conference was organized by Nuffic. The Dutch Ministry of Education together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs financed the conference and the travel costs of a group of talented international alumni who studied at Dutch higher education institutes. A total of 120 alumni from 64 countries were invited to visit the Netherlands for the Holland Alumni Conference held on 5 and 6 November in The Hague. > read more

Notice for our international alumni: help us to improve our international alumni network

Our Alumni Department is collecting the email addresses of our international alumni and we therefore kindly request you to invite fellow students and other University of Groningen alumni whom you may know to update their contact details via our website. This of course also applies to your own contact details. Please use the link below to update your information. Naturally, the University will handle this data with due care, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Data Act.

> Update now

Interesting Links

> New video: the President of the Board of the University presents the University's strategic plan

> For Alumni

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