When during storm Eunice the entire university had to close, some people actually went to the UvA instead of fleeing the campus: the security team. Not only do they protect the students and teachers when on campus, but they also protect the campus when the students and teachers aren’t there.
This Tuesday, the UvA and HvA concluded their Green Weeks period (21 April – 31 May) with a big final event, featuring a roundtable debate with representatives from the universities’ boards. Although roundtable debates can be quite a stuffy affair, this time it was different as multiple audience members expressed their disappointment with UvA’s passive approach to climate action policies. 'Why is there not a mandatory course on climate change and ethics?' asked one teacher. 'Good question' replied a board member.
The UvA aims to reduce 25% of its catering CO2 emissions by 2026. A new five-year contract with UvA-HvA’s caterer Cirfood aims to make this rocky transition as smooth as possible. But will it be enough?
‘Can everyone who cried in the past week raise a hand?’ Thus began the Ukraine Q&A event organized by UvA's Slavic experts in the Oudemanhuispoort Wednesday evening. With a massive attendance of more than 1,000 students. What can we, as UvA’ers, do to help?
The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure tried to cancel a plan for 2.500 student homes in Kronenburg. The reason: noise pollution due to the nearby Schiphol Airport. On February 15, dozens of students marched in the pouring rain to protest the Ministry’s claim.
Forests around the world are in danger. Many institutions for forest governance are extremely weak, and progress is slow. On February 1st, SPUI25 – UvA’s cultural-academic platform – organised a symposium to discuss the EU’s new proposal to combat deforestation. European politicians, WWF scientists, and private sector advisors alike reached similar conclusions: the proposal is both path-breaking and unprecedented. Yet it still doesn’t go far enough.
Monday the 10th of January was the UvA’s 390th birthday. This was celebrated with a traditional (online) Dies Natalis ceremony, featuring the rector magnificus, researchers, and UvA students. As per usual on a birthday, there was quite a bit of reflecting on the past year. It was the perfect opportunity to ponder on the quintessential Dies Natalis question: What, actually, is the purpose of our university? And who is it for?