Student - November 23, 2011
Friesland gets network university
An independent international MSc programme in water technology will be offered in Leeuwarden from September next year. This two-year programme will lead to a joint degree from Wageningen University, University of Groningen, University of Twente and the international water institute Wetsus in the Frisian capital.

Besides starting the international MSc programme, there are plans to set up a technological academy. This will incorporate Life Sciences and Technology, in which Van Hall Larenstein and NHL University of Applied Sciences will collaborate with Philips Drachten. This shavers producer has 50 vacancies in its research department which are difficult to fill. It is envisaged that this future academy will have a special scheme comprising minor subjects within existing programmes.
This network university starts exactly 200 years after the Franeker University closed its doors definitely in 1811. UCF focuses on six core themes: sustainable energy, water, green life sciences, recreation and tourism, multilingualism and quality of life. The provincial government expects this network university to play a major role in fighting the depression. 'Investing in the knowledge economy is the best guarantee of sustainable growth. Glpobal research shows that the economy moves along with knowledge workers. In this way, you could prevent young people from drifting off after their studies.'