Utrecht University

Last updated

Utrecht University
Universiteit Utrecht
Utrecht University logo.svg
Latin: Universitas Rheno-Traiectina
Universitas Ultraiectina
MottoSol Iustitiae Illustra Nos (Latin)
Motto in English
May the Sun of Righteousness Enlighten Us [1]
Type Public, research
Established26 March 1636(386 years ago) (1636-03-26)
Endowment € 479 million (2019)
Budget€ 909 million (2019)
Rector Henk Kummeling
Academic staff
3,655 [2]
Administrative staff
3,536 [2]
Students35,294 [2]
Location
Utrecht, Utrecht Province
,
Netherlands

52°05′07″N05°10′30″E / 52.08528°N 5.17500°E / 52.08528; 5.17500 Coordinates: 52°05′07″N05°10′30″E / 52.08528°N 5.17500°E / 52.08528; 5.17500
CampusUrban
Colours        
Yellow, red, black & white [3]
Affiliations CG, LERU, EUA, IAU, MINA, Utrecht Network
Website uu.nl

Utrecht University (UU; Dutch : Universiteit Utrecht, formerly Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht) is a public research university in Utrecht, Netherlands. Established 26 March 1636(386 years ago), it is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands. In 2018, it had an enrollment of 31,801 students, and employed 7,191 faculty and staff. [2] In 2018, 525 PhD degrees were awarded and 6,948 scientific articles were published. The 2018 budget of the university was €857 million. [2]

Contents

Utrecht University counts a number of distinguished scholars among its alumni and faculty, including 12 Nobel Prize laureates and 13 Spinoza Prize laureates. Utrecht University has been placed consistently in the top 100 universities in the world by prominent international ranking tables. The university is ranked as the best university in the Netherlands by the Shanghai Ranking of World Universities 2022, ranked 14th in Europe and 54th in the world. [4]

The university's motto is "Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos", which means May the Sun of Righteousness Enlighten Us. This motto was gleaned from a literal Latin Bible translation of Malachi 4:2. Rutgers University, having historical connections with Utrecht University, uses a modified version of this motto.

Utrecht University is led by the University Board, consisting of Henk Kummeling (Rector Magnificus), Anton Pijpers (chair), Margot van der Starre (Vice Chair) and Anneloes Krul (Student Assessor).

Close ties are harboured with other institutions internationally through its membership in the Coimbra Group (CG), the League of European Research Universities (LERU), the Utrecht Network and the European University Association (EUA).

History

Gable decoration at the University Hall building (Academiegebouw). Gable decoration at the Utrecht University headquarter building (academiegebouw) Utrecht - panoramio.jpg
Gable decoration at the University Hall building (Academiegebouw).
Bernardus Schotanus, the university's first rector magnificus, and professor of law and mathematics. Portret van Bernardus Schotanus, RP-P-OB-16.079.jpg
Bernardus Schotanus, the university's first rector magnificus, and professor of law and mathematics.

Utrecht University was founded on 26 March 1636. [5] It has its roots in the Illustrious School of Utrecht, which founded two years earlier in 1634 before being elevated to the status of university in 1636. The influential professor of theology Gisbertus Voetius delivered the inaugural speech, and Bernardus Schotanus (professor of law and mathematics) became the university's first rector magnificus. Anna Maria van Schurman, who became the university's first female student, was invited to write a Latin poem for the inauguration. [6] Initially, only a few dozen students attended classes at the university. Seven professors worked in four faculties: philosophy, which offered all students an introductory education, and three higher-level faculties (theology, medicine and law).

Utrecht University flourished in the seventeenth century, and contributed significantly to the Dutch Golden Age, despite competition with the older universities, such as Leiden (1575) and Groningen (1614). Leiden, in particular, proved a strong competitor and made further improvement necessary; a rivalry that persists to this day. A botanical garden was built on the grounds of the present Sonnenborgh Observatory, and three years later the Smeetoren added an astronomical observatory. The university attracted many students from abroad (especially from Germany, England and Scotland). They witnessed the intellectual and theological battle fought between proponents of the new philosophy (René Descartes lived for a few years in Utrecht) and proponents of the strict Reformed theologian Voetius. They also witnessed the teachings of renowned Dutch jurist, Johannes Voet, a university alumnus and professor of law, whose works remain highly authoritative in modern Roman-Dutch law.

An honorary doctorate in law was conferred on Eleanor Roosevelt in 1948. RooseveltUtrecht1948.jpg
An honorary doctorate in law was conferred on Eleanor Roosevelt in 1948.

In 1806, the French occupying authorities of the Netherlands downgraded Utrecht University to an école secondaire (high school), but after the establishment of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1813 it regained its former status. [5] Leiden, Leuven, Groningen, Utrecht and Ghent were the five universities (Dutch : hoge scholen) of the new state. Two of the universities (Leuven and Ghent) became part of the new Belgian state after their respective provinces separated from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1830. As a result, Utrecht University remained one of only three Dutch universities. During the French occupation, King Louis Napoleon ordered the construction of a palace in the centre of Utrecht, which eventually became the University Library City Centre. [5]

Utrecht University played a prominent role in the golden age of Dutch science. Around 1850 the "Utrechtian School" of science formed, with Pieter Harting, Gerardus J. Mulder, Christophorus H. D. Buys Ballot and Franciscus Donders among the leading scientists. They introduced the educational laboratory (onderwijslaboratorium) as a practical learning place for their students. The National Veterinary School (Dutch:Rijks Veeartsenijschool) became Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 1918.

As the university grew, the academic buildings in the historic city centre were unable to meet the university's increasing need for space. Therefore, starting from the 1960s, a significant part of the university moved to the De Uithof campus, which occupies the easternmost part of the city and is located south of De Bilt. However, the university continued to retain its academic buildings and presence in the historic city centre.

The university is represented in the Stichting Academisch Erfgoed , a foundation with the goal of preserving the university's heritage and collections.

Organisation

Utrecht University Hall (Academiegebouw), built in 1894. Utrecht Academiegebouw.jpg
Utrecht University Hall (Academiegebouw), built in 1894.

The university consists of seven faculties: [7]

There are three interfaculty units:

Campus

The two large faculties of Humanities and Law & Governance are situated in the inner city of Utrecht. The other five faculties and most of the administrative services are located in Utrecht Science Park De Uithof, a campus area on the outskirts of the city. University College Utrecht, along with the Utrecht School of Economics, are situated in the former Kromhout Kazerne, which used to be a Dutch military base. University College Roosevelt is located off-campus in the city of Middelburg in the south-west of the Netherlands.

International rankings

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World [4] 54 (2022)
CWUR World [9] 73 (2022–23)
CWTS World [10] 54 (2022)
QS World [11] =112 (2023)
THE World [12] 66 (2023)
USNWR Global [13] =44 (2022–23)

On the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities list, the University of Utrecht was ranked 54th in the world and the highest in the Netherlands. Its ranking has declined slightly since 2003, when it was ranked 40th. [4]

In the 2022 USNWR, Utrecht University is ranked 48th (tie) best University in the world. [13]

In the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the university is ranked 66th. [12]

Affiliations

Utrecht University is a member of the Coimbra Group (CG), League of European Research Universities (LERU), the Utrecht Network, the European University Association (EUA), the International Association of Universities (IAU) and the McDonnell International Scholars Academy (MISA).

Notable alumni and faculty

Utrecht University counts a number of distinguished scholars among its alumni and faculty, including 12 Nobel Prize laureates and 13 Spinoza Prize laureates.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester Metropolitan University</span> Public university in Manchester, England

Manchester Metropolitan University is located in the centre of Manchester, England. The university has over 40,000 students and over 4,000 members of staff. It is home to four faculties and is one of the largest universities in the UK for biggest student population in 2020/21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leiden University</span> Public university in the Netherlands

Leiden University is a public research university in Leiden, Netherlands. The university was founded as a Protestant university in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, as a reward to the city of Leiden for its defence against Spanish attacks during the Eighty Years' War. As the oldest institution of higher education in the Netherlands, it enjoys a reputation across Europe and the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorbonne University</span> Public university in Paris, France

Sorbonne University is a public research university located in Paris, France. The institution's legacy reaches back to 1257 when Sorbonne College was established by Robert de Sorbon as one of the first universities in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Taiwan University</span> National university located in Taipei, Taiwan

National Taiwan University is a public research university in Taipei, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Groningen</span> Public university in Groningen, the Netherlands

The University of Groningen is a public research university of more than 30,000 students in the city of Groningen in the Netherlands. Founded in 1614, the university is the second oldest in the country and one of the most traditional and prestigious universities in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National University of Singapore</span> Public research university in Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national public research university in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest autonomous university in the country. It offers degree programmes in a wide range of disciplines at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including in the sciences, medicine and dentistry, design and environment, law, arts and social sciences, engineering, business, computing, and music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam</span> University in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands, being founded in 1880. The VU Amsterdam is one of two large, publicly funded research universities in the city, the other being the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The literal translation of the Dutch name Vrije Universiteit is "Free University". "Free" refers to independence of the university from both the State and the Dutch Reformed Church. Both within and outside the university, the institution is commonly referred to as "the VU". Although founded as a private institution, the VU has received government funding on a parity basis with public universities since 1970. The university is located on a compact urban campus in the southern Buitenveldert neighbourhood of Amsterdam and adjacent to the modern Zuidas business district.

Maastricht University is a public research university in Maastricht, Netherlands. Founded in 1976, it is the second youngest of the thirteen Dutch universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Amsterdam</span> Public university in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The University of Amsterdam is a public research university located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The UvA is one of two large, publicly funded research universities in the city, the other being the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Established in 1632 by municipal authorities and later renamed for the city of Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam is the third-oldest university in the Netherlands. It is one of the largest research universities in Europe with 31,186 students, 4,794 staff, 1,340 PhD students and an annual budget of €600 million. It is the largest university in the Netherlands by enrollment. The main campus is located in central Amsterdam, with a few faculties located in adjacent boroughs. The university is organised into seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Science, Law, Medicine, Dentistry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eötvös Loránd University</span> Public research university in Budapest, Hungary

Eötvös Loránd University is a Hungarian public research university based in Budapest. Founded in 1635, ELTE is one of the largest and most prestigious public higher education institutions in Hungary. The 28,000 students at ELTE are organized into nine faculties, and into research institutes located throughout Budapest and on the scenic banks of the Danube. ELTE is affiliated with 5 Nobel laureates, as well as winners of the Wolf Prize, Fulkerson Prize and Abel Prize, the latest of which was Abel Prize winner László Lovász in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radboud University Nijmegen</span> University in the Netherlands

Radboud University (abbreviated as RU, Dutch: Radboud Universiteit, formerly Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen) is a public research university located in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The university bears the name of Saint Radboud, a 9th century Dutch bishop who was known for his intellect and support of the underprivileged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Klagenfurt</span>

The University of Klagenfurt is a federal Austrian research university and the largest research and higher education institution in the state of Carinthia. It has its campus in Klagenfurt.

Tilburg University is a public research university specializing in the social and behavioral sciences, economics, law, business sciences, theology and humanities, located in Tilburg in the southern part of the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erasmus University Rotterdam</span> Public university in the Netherlands

Erasmus University Rotterdam is a public research university located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The university is named after Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, a 15th-century humanist and theologian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of the Punjab</span> Public research university in Lahore, Pakistan

The University of the Punjab, also referred to as Punjab University, is a public, research, coeducational higher education institution located in Lahore, Pakistan. Punjab University is the oldest public university in Pakistan. With multiple campuses in Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Khanspur, the university was formally established by the British Government after convening the first meeting for establishing higher education institutions in October 1882 at Simla. Punjab University was the fourth university to be established by the British colonial authorities in the subcontinent; the first three universities were established in other parts of British-ruled Subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Hamburg</span> Public university in Hamburg, Germany

The University of Hamburg is a public research university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 1919 by combining the previous General Lecture System, the Hamburg Colonial Institute, and the Academic College. The main campus is located in the central district of Rotherbaum, with affiliated institutes and research centres distributed around the city-state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leiden University College The Hague</span> Liberal arts and sciences honours college in the Netherlands

Leiden University College The Hague (LUC) is a small interdisciplinary Liberal Arts and Sciences honours college part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs of Leiden University. The institution's curriculums focus on tackling global challenges, such as peace and justice, sustainability, prosperity and diversity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leiden Law School</span> Faculty of Leiden University, The Netherlands

Leiden Law School is the law school, and one of the seven faculties, of Leiden University. Teaching and research in the school take place across campuses in Leiden and The Hague in the Netherlands.

References

  1. ↑ "History". Utrecht University. 28 August 2014. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Annual Report". 31 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "Colour - Corporate Identity - Utrecht University". Utrecht University. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "The History of Utrecht University". Utrecht University. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  6. ↑ Frade, Sofia (2016). "Ménage's Learned Ladies: Anne Dacier (1647-1720) and Anna Maria van Schurman (1607-1678)". In Wyles, Rosie; Hall, Edith (eds.). Women Classical Scholars: Unsealing the Fountain from the Renaissance to Jacqueline de Romilly. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780198725206.
  7. ↑ "Faculties - Organisation". Utrecht University. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance". Utrecht University. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "CWUR – World University Rankings 2022–2023". Center for World University Rankings. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2022 – PP top 10%". CWTS Leiden Ranking. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "QS World University Rankings 2023". Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  12. 1 2 "World University Rankings 2023". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 14 October 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. 1 2 "2022-2023 Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News Education. Retrieved 26 December 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.