Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Introduction

VU University Amsterdam (www.vu.nl/en) is a state-funded university with about 23,000 students and 2,150 FTE academic staff. VU University Amsterdam was the first university in the Netherlands established by a private person, with no interference from the church or the state. This heritage is still very much part of who we are: VU stands for Vrije Universiteit, which translates literally as 'Free University.' This name expressly states our independence: we are free of the state, the church or any commercial interests.However, science and academic pursuit can never be free of values, and values are always based on some form of conviction or philosophy. VU University attaches great value to different convictions, distinguishing itself from other universities by its willingness to open them to discussion. Since its foundation in 1880, the university has sought to maintain a link between academic pursuit on the one hand and the Christian conviction on the other. In recent decades we have engaged in open dialogue with other faiths and ethical systems. VU University Amsterdam has a strong sense of social engagement. It is an academic community which attaches importance to openness and which maintains a strong international outlook. It is a university which pursues innovation and progress, and which is able to take full advantage of the diversity of disciplines, nationalities and convictions on its campus. Through its research, VU University wishes to make a significant contribution in solving the major societal issues of our age. Another, equally important, objective is to help young people develop to become astute academics who, based on a strong sense of social engagement, are able to fill important positions in the international and intercultural society of the future. Accordingly, the university places a strong emphasis on the broad academic education of its students, informed by its traditional core values. Education and research are directly interlinked. The university offers education in those areas in which it has a strong reputation for research and in which there is a high demand for qualified professionals.VU University has formulated three core values which have a direct relationship with the institution’s Christian ethos: •Responsible: working in the service of man and society.•Open: diversity as a source of inspiration and innovation.•Personally engaged: an academic community in which every member is fully acknowledged.The ‘Vision for VU 2025’ sets out the situation in which the university wishes to find itself in 2025. In 2025, VU University will be notable:•as a strong research university, performing leading international research which makes a real contribution towards solving major societal issues.•by means of an (inter)nationally competitive range of graduate research and academic programmes.•as a scientific and academic educational institute serving the greater Amsterdam region. VU University provides good and well organized education to those with academic pre-qualifications (the VWO school diploma), helping them develop into critical and socially engaged academics.•by virtue of its unique character. The three core values will inspire and inform all education and research, and will be reflected in the day-to-day interaction between staff and students.To enhance the visibility of the university for students, researchers, granting organizations, public and private sector partners and others, VU University is to structure its education and research within four key themes:1.Human Health and Life Sciences, 2. Science for Sustainability, 3. Connected World, and 4. Governance for Society.