Given the links we know between the pandemic, climate change, and human health, it’s clear that several goals need to be reached for a sustainable future. They might sound unreachable, but shake-ups such as the coronavirus crisis provide the opportunity for a reset. This is a chance that does not come around often. COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives but tragedy does not have to be its only legacy. To fully utilise this rare and narrow window to drive change, aspiring leaders need to share a common goal to reset our world as a whole, and strive to create a healthier, more equitable and prosperous future that handles disruption efficiently.
For an education that creates green experts , look no further than Wageningen University & Research. With strong agricultural roots and a mission “to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life,” this is an institution that focuses on producing graduates who are ready to conquer some of the greatest challenges humanity is facing today.
Wageningen University ranks as one of the world’s best in the field of Agriculture and Forestry. In Keuzegids Universiteiten 2021, a ranking of Dutch universities by students, Wageningen University is ranked as the best university in the Netherlands for the 16th time in a row. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, it is ranked 62nd out of 1,500 universities globally and as the highest ranked university in the Netherlands. These achievements are a testament of its teaching and research prowess, a mark of premium education and a signal of international quality in graduate CVs.
The campus of Wageningen University is home to over 6,500 employees and 12,500 students from more than 100 countries. Here, research, education and business unite. Expertise and talent come together. The atmosphere is vibrant; the connections genuine. There are various places where you can meet fellow students for drinks, coffee or lunch, such as The Spot, Grand Cafe or the Restaurant of the Future. Over at the Sports Centre de Bongerd, you can swim, play tennis, shoot hoops, or try one of the many other sports offered there.
Source: Wageningen University
The atmosphere beyond campus grounds is just as dynamic. The city of Wageningen is small but global. Centrally located in the Netherlands, it attracts talents from more than 100 countries. The social scene is multicultural and lively — theatres, cinemas, student clubs, and nightlife options dot the city. As it’s near the floodplains of the river Rhine and De Hoge Veluwe national park, it is perfect for hikes, runs and cycling too. What better place to learn about utilising and sustaining natural resources than in a city that is filled with it?
A unique, multidisciplinary master’s programme
The MSc in Management, Economics and Consumer Studies develops the sustainable leaders the world needs. This year has taught us that what’s good for the environment is good for business, making this master’s degree a solid choice for aspiring green leaders. It combines economics with nature and environment, sustainable development, management and policy, living environment and logistics.
There are four specialisations designed to complement a student’s career goals. Business Studies deals with management in agri-businesses. A wide range of topics will be covered, including strategy, innovation, logistics, management accounting, financial analysis and market research. Within this specialisation, the food chain is often a subject of study, consisting of primary producers (e.g. farmers), processors (e.g. dairy companies), and retailers (e.g. supermarkets).
The Consumer Studies specialisation provides insight into the behaviour, lifestyles and consumption patterns of consumers and households. It addresses the economic, psychological, and sociological aspects of consumers and households as well as those factors determining consumer behaviour.
The Economics and Governance specialisation highlights economic and governance aspects of the agri-food chain and the environment in both rural and urban areas in developed and developing countries. Topics include economic development, the agricultural sector and rural areas within the European Union and developing countries, environmental economics, natural resource management, environmental quality and international trade. Macro- and micro-economics theories and those of related disciplines such as environmental policy and public administration are applied to analyse these issues.
The Management in Life Sciences specialisation is designed for students with a predominantly technological Life Science background. The specialisation draws from several academic disciplines: management, innovation and entrepreneurship on the one hand and on the other hand gives students a chance to build on their technological Life Science background. Complex processes like product innovation, market development, and innovation to support the supply of goods will be analysed in this specialisation.
