Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) want to intensify their collaboration and increase their contribution towards solving the global challenges. This intent was detailed in a so-called Memorandum of Understanding, an MOU, signed by both parties. Although the Dutch and Swedish universities already collaborate in different ways, they feel the desire to intensify their partnership.
There is to be an increase in student exchanges, and whether there are increased possibilities for the universities to work together in 'green' EU projects is to be investigated. Collaboration with other partners is part of Wageningen University & Research's strategic 'Finding Answers Together'.
World top
WUR and the SLU already work together on over 40 EU projects. With so much mutual satisfaction that both universities want to expand their partnership. Both WUR and the SLU are among the world's leading institutions in agriculture and forestry. This is reflected in the universities' positions in various rankings.
Green Deal
The Green Deal is one of the opportunities the universities have identified as a chance to partner. The Green Deal is the European plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to sustainable economic growth without depleting natural resources. Both Wageningen and Swedish researchers of the institutions conduct a considerable amount of research on solutions to achieve the Green Deal goals.
Educating students
Moreover, WUR and the SLU see opportunities for collaboration at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. A joint Bachelor programme in forestry is under development and will have its first intake coming september. As leading institutions in the field of agriculture and forestry both institutions expressed their interest to contribute to the EU educational agenda 2030.
Global impact
The collaboration will not be limited to national or European collaboration. Both organisations identified global challenges and expressed their intentions to find answers together. One of the area's they would like to intesify their collaborations is in the foodsystem approach in different countries, amongst others in Africa.
