1, school profile
The University of Amsterdam has high-quality graduate students and world-leading research and training, and undergraduate education is one of the best in the world. [1] It produced six Nobel Prize winners, including three Nobel Prize winners for physicists and 1 Peace, Medicine and Chemistry Prize winners [2].
Today, as a research university, Amsterdam University has more than 30,000 students, 5,000 employees and 285 research projects (bachelor's and master's programs), many of which are taught in English. With a budget of over 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam currently has seven faculties: humanities, social and behavioral sciences, economics, law, science, medicine and dentistry.
The school pays attention to internationalization and offers more than 85 master's programs taught in English. It also produced seven Spinoza Prize winners. In the QS World University Ranking in 20 13, the University of Amsterdam ranked 58th in the world, 17 in Europe and 1 in the Netherlands. [2] The American News World University ranks 20 1 1 and ranks 49th in the world.
2. A brief history of development
As the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is the economic and political center of this country in history and today. The Amsterdam River flows through the city center. Amsterdam has been named after this river since a group of residents settled by it in the middle of13rd century. Today, Amsterdam with a population of 750,000 is not only an international metropolis, but also an international metropolis. Town story? Strolling along the canal looks like one well-preserved ancient building after another. There is a Dutch proverb: In Amsterdam, nothing is impossible. Here, ancient and modern, elegant and vulgar, rich and poor, contradictory but can live in peace. It is in such a city that the University of Amsterdam gave birth to an intellectual spirit.
65438+In 1930s, after 80 years of war of independence, the Dutch overthrew the rule of Spain and ushered in its golden age. Many people came to Amsterdam to settle down. These newcomers brought knowledge and wealth, so Amsterdam became the center of Europe at that time. It also became a paradise for young people to pursue new knowledge at that time.
Originally, it was a women's monastery in the center of Amsterdam. An unusual lecture 1632+65438 on June 8th made it an academic hall in Amsterdam's mind. The speakers were two famous scholars in Europe at that time, Caspar ballas, a scientist, and Gladworth, an anthropologist. They were invited by the mayor at that time. At that time, there were no institutions of higher education in Amsterdam. People hope to use the fame and voice of scholars to promote the establishment of institutions of higher learning.
After this speech, a school named Athens College was born, which means? Bright school? . This is also the origin of the University of Amsterdam. Barars and Voss are also considered as the first two professors in this school. But Athens College can't be regarded as a real university, because it is not qualified to award doctorates. At that time, students usually had classes at the professor's home. This auditorium in the monastery was more used as a place for public reports, speeches and debates than a place for classes.
It was not until 1877 Athens College became Amsterdam City University that it was eligible to award the highest degree. But at this time, universities are still local institutions, professors are appointed by the municipal departments, and the mayor is also the chairman of the university management Committee. This system didn't change until the 1960s. 1960, after the Dutch university education regulations were passed, Ada had property autonomy and the state was responsible for raising education funds. At this time, the University of Amsterdam finally got rid of the municipal hat and became a real national university.
Now, the monastery where two professors gave opening speeches has become a university museum. Weddings are not as noisy as before. It just quietly watched the students coming and going by the canal and witnessed the development of the university day by day.
The beginning of the 20th century was the proudest time for the University of Amsterdam. Four Nobel Prize winners in history stood out in this period, and their research achievements not only made great contributions to the progress of human science, but also made Amsterdam University famous.
3. Main departments
Department of International Relations and Public International Law: It is the largest teaching and research institution of its kind in the Netherlands. It is affiliated to the School of Political Science and Social Culture and has three majors: international relations, public international law and modern Asian history. There are 3 professors, lecturers 10, 2 teaching assistants and 2 secretaries. In addition, there are 9 exchange scholars and visiting lecturers. The department has three semesters, each semester 14 weeks. Every year, about 100 students choose international relations, and 30-40 students choose other majors. Have the right to award master's and doctoral degrees.
College of Literature: With more than 30 majors in language, history and culture, it is the largest college in Ada. Located in the center of Amsterdam, the complex is named after17th century historian Hoover. The offices of most departments of the college are located here, as well as the library and language lab. The academic system lasts for 4-6 years, and most students can get government grants or loans. Teaching is divided into lectures and study groups. In addition, vocational guidance courses have been specially set up.
School of Economics and Business (FEB): Established in 1922, including Amsterdam School of Economics and Amsterdam Business School, it has about 4,000 students and 600 employees, ranking 44th in economics and econometrics in the world, 10 in Europe, 45th in accounting and finance in the world and 10 in Europe.
4. Research institutions
The university's main research institutions are: Amsterdam Asian Studies Center, Urban Studies Center, Institute of the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Environmental Studies, Life Sciences Research and Women's Studies.
Ada has strong development strength. Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, where it is located, is the national information, financial decision-making and commercial service center, and Sheffield Airport is the hub port of international aviation. The high-tech work represented by information science and chemical technology has developed rapidly here, brewing and transmitting many new ideas and concepts to the world. In a word, Amsterdam's position in the whole country, whether in economy, transportation, science and technology, ideology or culture, can't be surpassed.
5. Facilities and services
The library of the University of Amsterdam has nearly 4 million books. At the same time, the library has some special collections, such as rare manuscripts, letters and maps. All books in the library are open to all teachers and students free of charge.
The library and its learning center have 2,600 learning places, of which 1 100 learning places are equipped with computers, and the whole library realizes global coverage of wireless networks. [3]
In addition, Amsterdam University Museum has a large number of precious collections. Among them, Arad Pearson Museum has a large collection of cultural relics from ancient Egypt, the Middle East, Greece and the Roman Empire.
There are also a large number of early printed books, special issues of modern books, manuscripts, maps, posters, photos and other visual materials in the UvA special collection of the University of Amsterdam.
The historical collection of the University of Amsterdam contains cultural relics in art and science, as well as historical archives and historical materials that record the life of students since 1632 was founded.
The school computer museum has a unique collection of early computers. In addition, the school has tens of thousands of anatomical and embryonic specimens, human and animal bones, skulls and anatomical models. [4]
6. Scale of running a school
The goal of the University of Amsterdam is to gain and maintain a leading position among its Dutch counterparts, strive for a place among outstanding universities in Europe, actively participate in the city's economic, scientific, social and cultural activities, and establish a dynamic administrative organization.
The courses they will offer include medical informatics, medical biology, statistics, artificial intelligence, information systems, social science information, film and television science and library informatics.