Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
About us Latest news News News articles

Anniversary year opens in style

03 September 2013

The theme of the opening this year was academic freedom. The start of the anniversary year was also celebrated - the University turns 400 in 2014. ‘Academic year 2013-2014 is going to be one to be proud of’, said Rector Magnificus Elmer Sterken in his speech. The University is linking a research project on a theme chosen by the public to its 400th anniversary celebrations. Anyone can vote for the next four weeks at www.rug400.nl.

One of the important speakers was Prof. Klaas Knot, president of De Nederlandsche Bank and a University alumnus. He listed gathering knowledge, acquiring insight and understanding, finding explanations for complex problems, and above all really wanting to know everything possible about a certain field as great reasons for choosing to do a university degree. ‘This intense thirst for knowledge creates a type of capital that share prices can never influence. It’s a type of wealth that you will never lose.’

See also:

Speech by Rector Magnificus Prof. Elmer Sterken (Dutch)

Speech by prof. Beatriz Noheda

Last modified:30 January 2024 09.18 a.m.
Share this Facebook LinkedIn
View this page in: Nederlands

More news

  • 06 June 2025

    India-Netherlands Hydrogen Valley Fellowship Programme announced

    To coincide with World Environment Day, 5 June 2025, the Indian Department of Science and Technology and the University of Groningen yesterday announced a Hydrogen Valley Fellowship Programme Partnership, allowing talented Indian scholars working on...

  • 24 March 2025

    UG 28th in World's Most International Universities 2025 rankings

    The University of Groningen has been ranked 28th in the World's Most International Universities 2025 by Times Higher Education. With this, the UG leaves behind institutions such as MIT and Harvard. The 28th place marks an increase of five places: in...

  • 05 March 2025

    Women in Science

    The UG celebrates International Women’s Day with a special photo series: Women in Science.