Wageningen University & Research Campus

Wageningen University and Research, usually abbreviated as WUR, is the leading Dutch institution for agricultural and environmental science, and its campus on the edge of the town of Wageningen in Gelderland is at the centre of what is known as the Food Valley, a cluster of research institutes and companies working on food, health and sustainability. The campus is a working university, not a tourist site, but it is open to visitors, and its modern buildings and green setting reward a walk. A visit gives a glimpse of a world-class centre of life sciences.

The institution began in 1876 as a national agricultural school, set up to bring scientific methods to Dutch farming at a time when the country was modernising its agriculture. Over the following century and a half, it grew into a university and merged with a network of research institutes, becoming one of the highest-ranked universities in the world for agricultural science and related fields. Its work has influenced the way food is produced across the globe, from plant breeding and soil science to animal husbandry and food technology. Students come from over a hundred countries, which gives the town a cosmopolitan feel.

The campus architecture is contemporary and often striking, with large glass-fronted buildings, open atriums and landscaped spaces, designed to promote collaboration between disciplines. Visitors can walk through the public areas, see the laboratories and greenhouses from outside, and enjoy the surrounding gardens and trees. There are cafes and restaurants, and the atmosphere is that of an international academic community. Occasionally, events, lectures and open days allow members of the public to look inside.

The research is relevant to everyday life. Scientists at WUR study subjects such as climate change, food security, sustainable agriculture, nutrition and biodiversity, and they develop new crops, fertilisers and farming systems. Some of the facilities, such as experimental farms and testing grounds, are spread across the region. The campus works closely with the nearby World Soil Museum, which presents the world's soils.

The town of Wageningen has a pleasant centre with a market square, an arboretum and a riverside, and a small ferry crosses the Rhine to Rhenen. The campus suits visitors with an interest in science, food or the environment, and it is easy to combine with a stroll through the town. Check the university's website for open days and tours, and bring a bicycle, which is the main means of transport.