Dutch research universities visit Russia

19 Nov 2010

VSNU, the association of research universities in the Netherlands, visits Moscow and St. Petersburg from 23rd until 27th November this year.

The goal of the visit is to expand and intensify research university cooperation between the Netherlands and Russia. The delegation of 14 representatives is led by Dr. Sijbolt Noorda, the president of VSNU and includes Hanneke Teekens from Nuffic’s Board of Directors.

During the visit a seminar will be held at the headquarters of the European Union in Moscow. During the seminar Russian and Dutch speakers will be discussing Developments in Higher Education and Scientific Research in both countries.

The delegation also plan to visit many educational institutions including; the Moscow State University of Lomonosov, St. Petersburg State University, the Russian Academy of Science and the Kurchatov Institute.

Dutch Ambassador Ron Keller will host a special working diner with rectors of Russian universities and other high profile higher education representatives.

VSNU-president Noorda, who is looking forward to all the visits, expressed his positive feelings towards Russia. "Russia is a country with many great talents, both in the country and elsewhere - the level of work being done here is impressive and so Russia is one of the top three countries in the world that we really want to promote and establish connections with."

The visit is organized by VSNU, the Netherlands Embassy, Nuffic Neso Russia in Moscow, the Netherlands Consulate General and the Netherlands Institute in St. Petersburg.

The VSNU delegation:

VSNU

Dr. Sijbolt Noorda, President
Mrs. Josephine Scholten, Director

Nuffic
Hanneke Teekens, member Board of Directors

University of Groningen

Prof. Sibrand Poppema, President

University of Twente

Prof. Henk Zijm, Vice-Rector Internationalization
Prof. Aard Groen, Professor of Innovative Enterpreneurship; Director Nikos (Knowledge Centre on Innovation & Entrepreneurship)
Miss Mariska Roersen, University of Twente, Researcher Nikos

University Utrecht

Prof. Willem Koops, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Prof. Louk Hagendoorn, Faculty of  Social and Behavioural Sciences

Leiden University

Prof. Jos Schaeken, Leiden University, Professor of Humanities
Prof. Andre Gerrits, Leiden University, Professor of Humanities

University of Amsterdam

Prof. Michael Kemper, University of Amsterdam, Professor of Humanities
Prof. Michael Ellman, University of Amsterdam, Professor of Economics
Prof. Peter Sloot, University of Amsterdam, Professor of Computational Science