Within the scope of innovating and connecting – the theme of our new Strategic Plan – I paid a visit to Brussels last week. It is important to give Leiden University a face in Brussels and to show our expertise, on Africa for instance.
What do the ambitions mean for you and what elements do you recognise for your work and that of your close colleagues? Annetje Ottow, Hester Bijl and Martijn Ridderbos are curious to hear your reactions.
‘It truly is a plan by and for us all,’ said Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board, at the presentation of the new Strategic Plan ‘Innovating and Connecting.’ She referred to the many meetings, online and offline, with students, staff and critical friends who all offered their opinions on the University’s new course in the coming years.
Global problems such as pandemics, migration, financial crises and climate change call for global governance. That may sound obvious. ‘But we often underestimate the global nature of current challenges in society,’ says Jan Aart Scholte, brand-new Professor of Global Transformations and Governance Challenges at Leiden University.
How do you deal with bullying? How can you motivate young people? At the NeurolabNL symposium a multidisciplinary research team launched an interactive book for teachers and youth workers. This digital book offers the latest insights and plenty of useful tips and advice. Children’s Ombudsman Margrite Kalverboer and Mayor Henri Lenferink praised the initiative.
Fifteen passionate lecturers from Leiden University were awarded the Senior Teaching Qualification (SKO) on Thursday 27 January. One of them is Frank Takes, as of 1 February Associate Professor of Computer Science. For him the SKO was a good opportunity to reflect on how he teaches.
