DLO staff not customer- ‘We exaggerate how How do get to be an oriented enough much broccoli we eat’ honorary doctor? Staff need training in thinking commer- For nutrition researchers blood tests are By having an outstanding reputation cially and entrepreneurship. | p.4 | more reliable than questionnaires. | p.8 | and friends in Wageningen. | p.18 |
RESOURCEFor students and employees of Wageningen UR no 14 – 14 March 2013 – 7th Volume
Food supply should be customized Intensive here, ecological there p.12
(5(6SLQGG 2 >> labour of love >> NATHALIE + THE TOY LIBRARY Nathalie Wakker, fi nancial administrator at the SSG/ Social Sciences Group
‘Those happy faces are the reward’
Toys to spare? Give them to children who have little or nothing to play with. Nathalie Wakker has applied herself to this task with her toy library: Speelgoedbank Wageningen. It is only one and a half years old but it is a great success already. ‘Making kids happy,’ is what it’s all about. More than 200 children from a wide area get to come and choose a toy at set times. Not just second-hand goods either. Manu- facturers supply surplus toys too. RK / photo: Guy Ackermans
RESOURCE — 14 March 2013
(5(6SLQGG COVER: PHOTO: HANS DIJKSTRAP >>CONTENTS no 14 – 7th Volume
>> 20 >> 25 >> 32 ONLINE CLASSES ON ONE LEG TYPICAL DUTCH More and more universities are Nutrition student qualifi es A Dutch handshake is a show of off ering them free. Wageningen for 2014 Paralympics. strength, a Chinese PhD student favours interaction. discovered.
AND MORE... LUNCH! 2 Labour of love The editors go to the Forum for lunch. It takes a while but we fi nd some space at the toy library one of the long white tables, and get hold of a couple of extra orange chairs. I 4 News and opinion can hear Spanish on my right (or is it Portuguese?). Those must be Africans 8 Science behind me – their accent betrays their origin. At the opposite table Chinese is no 11 Resource.wur.nl doubt being spoken by the six stylish young men with jet black hair and almond- 12 Food security shaped eyes. 16 In the picture It really does seem busier and more diverse in the Forum canteen than it was minister visits Algaeparc one year ago. Perhaps it is because there is more choice. Diversity was the creed 18 Honorary doctors when the catering was contracted out in 2012. And with eff ect. Cormet off ers 20 Free courses bread, well-fi lled rolls, hot meals, fatty snacks and a variety of juices and soups. 22 IMO Every Wednesday students sell their vegetarian meals in the student cooking green as grass corner (usually fairly bland, but charming). And there is always a queue for the 24 Student Chinese food. And why not? For three euros you won’t need anything else to eat 29 Column for the rest of the day. 32 Typical Dutch Dutch handshake Gaby van Caulil
>> Raising the drinking age: at the AID and Ceres you can recognize students under 18 by their wristbands. | p.24
14 March 2013 — RESOURCE
(5(6SLQGG 4 >> news '/267,//127&200(5&,$/(128*+
ling to see things from the custo- liabilities) of both the university employees with a temporary ð'/2IRFXVHVRQVXSSRUWLQJ mer’s perspective. They should get and DLO has increased whereas a contract has fallen to 11 percent JRYHUQPHQW additional training on commercial fall had been expected. However, although the target was 20 percent. ð6WDʼnVWLOOIDLOLQJWRVHHWKLQJV working practices, being customer the university’s solvency will However that is because of the IURPFXVWRPHUéVSHUVSHFWLYH oriented, and entrepreneurship. probably fall this year after all adverse economic conditions, There is also a lack of basic ma- when Orion is completed in May. which have disproportionately nagement information about cus- Another striking result is the affected employees with a In 2012, the DLO institutes got tomers. For example, there was vir- fact that the proportion of temporary contract. GvC market sales of 100 million euros tually no data available in 2012 on for research, compared with 85 the revenue per country or per cus- million euros in 2010. The plan is tomer. There is also no uniform 6+28/''/2:25.025(21,76,0$*(" for this to grow to 135 million eu- system for measuring customer sa- The board has identified a new pri- looking at what position DLO ros in four years. The trend is up- tisfaction. ority for 2013: clarifying the posi- should aim for in the market. This wards, but the directors think it is tion of DLO with respect to the uni- working group will be interviewing not growing fast enough. (;&((',1*(;3(&7$7,216 versity. After all, the world around staff at DLO and the university, rep- That is clear from the interim The organization is basically on DLO is changing fast. Funding from resentatives from the private sec- report on the 2011-2014 strategic course, to judge from the list of the ministry and the product tor, other science institutes and plan, which was discussed in Janu- quantifiable targets in the interim boards is declining but there are the Ministry of Economic Affairs. ary by the board of directors (Exe- report on the 2011 to 2014 opportunities with the top sectors Bino: ‘The collaboration with the cutive Board plus the directors of strategic plan. The number of new and the European Horizon 2020 university is not in doubt – every- the science groups). The report students is growing fast, with 2200 programme (which will have 80 one we talk to agrees on that. The and associated documents were last year. The number of large billion euros for science and inno- question is whether we could im- published on the intranet on 4 personal research grants is vation). prove our position through commu- March. increasing in line with ‘If you say Wageningen to people, nication or the name we use. For The directors concluded that expectations: the university they think of the university. The instance, DLO means Agricultural both the structure and staff at DLO received four ERC grants and 14 question is whether DLO can Research Service in Dutch, which are geared to providing support to Veni-Vidi-Vici grants in 2011 and project a sufficiently strong image,’ some people find outdated.’ Bino the government rather than to the 2012. The financial position is says AFSG director Raoul Bino. He aims to report to the board of di- commercial exploitation of their even healthier than expected. The chairs a working group that will be rectors before the summer. GvC knowledge. DLO staff are still fai- solvency (ratio of assets to
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RESOURCE — 14 March 2013
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5818367$,5672),*+7&$1&(5 is a sponsored run. The brains be- from the overalls’ and ‘milk the ros to cover food and drink and a ð5HOD\UDFHIRUVWXGHQWVDQG hind this event on Thursday 28 cow’, a buffet and a lottery. The ni- contribution to the charity. The VWDʼn March are the nine Wageningers ne Wageningen UR participants in fastest four teams get to run once ð 3DUWLFLSDQWVLQ)RUXPHYHQW who will be taking part in the Alpe the Alpe d’HuZes are divided into again in the fi nal. The winning team GUDZDWWHQWLRQWR$OSHGé+X=HV d’HuZes mega-fundraiser for can- two teams: BIG Challenge and will be given tickets for the famous cer research this year. In this chari- Head over Wheels. The Forum Black Cross in the Achterhoek in ty event volunteers cycle six times event is a joint sponsored activity the east of the Netherlands. The fun Feel like doing something wacky? up the Alpe d’Huez in France. The and the stair-climbing element is activities are put in context with lec- Form a team of six and run in re- relay race is the sporty part of a new. Teams of six run in relays up tures by Ellen Kampman (professor lays up and down the Forum stairs. whole evening’s programme that and down the 160 steps between of Nutrition and Cancer) and Coen You do need to bring along some also includes lectures, student ac- the building’s eight storeys. Per van Veenendaal (who started the money because this ‘HuZes relay’ tivities such as games of ‘swing team they pay a minimum of 66 eu- Alpe d’HuZes). 5.
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NjNj7:2<($56(17(1&(628*+7 3ULVRQVHQWHQFHVRXJKWIRUUDSLVW The man from Renkum who tried to rape petitive power of diff erent regions. The a Wageningen student last February researchers note the rise of Asian cities should be sentenced to two years in jail, in the development of biotechnological 6&+$0,1(ljlj said the public prosecution service in an knowledge and the decline of European Arnhem court last week. This was repor- and American cities. But Wageningen ted in the regional newspaper De Gelder- holds its own and shows a steady lander. The student was cycling home af- growth. Only Cambridge Massachusetts, *URZWK ter a party when the man pulled her off home of MIT, produced more new bio- The Netherlands is in the throes of its third recession in her bicycle on the Ritzema Bosweg. He technological knowledge in the last 20 succession, according to the fi gures published by Dutch dragged her into the bushes and tried to years. Wageningen outstrips cities such Central Bureau for Statistics. Economists talk of a ‘triple rape her. The girl fought him off and ma- as London, Seoul, Tokyo and Zurich. dip’ and their analyses are coming thick and fast. Gloom naged to escape on her bicycle. The of- $6 reigns. It is all in the mind, is the conclusion heard most fender’s DNA was found on her jacket. often. Once confi dence in the economy returns, it will all The man is mentally retarded and has a NjNj0$$675,&+7 be alright. Then we will start consuming more, which will record of sexual off ences. The verdict :DJHQLQJHUVXSSRUWV give production a boost and employment with it. And at will be announced next week. GvC èPLUDFOHSURIHVVRUé the same time: large companies are being merged into The Maastricht professor Onno van even larger companies. Farms are turning into NjNj%,27(&+ Schayk is getting support from his colle- megafarms. I have just read about a megafarm in Russia :DJHQLQJHQVHFRQGELRWHFKWRZQ agues. In an open letter 27 professors ta- that has recently upped its pig production to 180,000 tons Wageningen is the second most impor- ke up the cudgels for Van Schayk, who live weight (that is the terminology used). tant city in the world when it comes to came under fi re when he said he had wit- Back in 1973, British economist Ernst Friedrich the generation of new biotechnology nessed a miracle. Wageningen professor Schumacher wrote a book called Small is beautiful. Keep it knowledge, say two Utrecht researchers of Reformational Philosophy Henk Jo- small, he said, one year after the report by the Club of who counted the publications in three chemsen is among the signatories to the Rome, now forty years ago. And since then no economist major biotechnology journals between letter. ‘We are worried that some people has been able to explain to me what is wrong with the 1986 and 2008 and identifi ed the com- seem to think it is not permissible for an ideas expressed in these studies. academic to express an opinion based on In the past few weeks I have kept waking up with his own experience, in a personal story,’ fragments of a dream in my mind. Always the same say the 27 professors. Van Schayk beca- dream. I am a soldier standing guard at the gate of a city. me the subject of controversy after he On the plain outside the city walls I can make out a giant stated that he had witnessed a miracle: a wooden horse with a group of citizens milling around it. leg that was too short grew after being They are trying with all their might to drag the outsized prayed over. There was an outcry about object into the city. There are letters written on the horse’s his statements and van Schayk subse- fl anks but I can’t read them. Until today when I suddenly quently resigned from his post as direc- make out the word: alktod -RRS6FKDPLQ«H tor of the Maastricht research institute Caphri. +2355
14 March 2013 — RESOURCE
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in English. In addition, it could ð8QLYHUVLW\ZDQWVGHEDWHDERXW deter potential Dutch students. KDYLQJHQWLUH%DFKHORUéV That is why Wageningen UR wants GHJUHHLQ(QJOLVK a debate about this issue in the near future. This discussion could draw on the experience within the Over the next while, Wageningen tourism programme, the only University will be looking into the Wageningen Bachelor’s taught idea of teaching the Bachelor’s entirely in English. degree programmes in English as The report gives the first clear- well, according to a report cut overview of all the steps the analysing the university’s policy of university has taken in the past few becoming more international. The years in its strategy and policy to university thinks it could be an become more international. The interesting option to give lectures university says it is important to in English from the first year of the make this explicit as Wageningen’s Bachelor’s degree programme international character is often rather than only in the third year, taken for granted within the as is the case now. That would university. As a result, the make the degree courses appealing university is failing to take to international students from an advantage of this strength. The earlier stage. What is more, foreign review also lists the current plans. academic staff would then be able For example, lecturers will be to teach first-years and second- expected to adapt their didactic years. skills to suit a multicultural The university acknowledges setting. There are also plans in the that teaching Bachelor’s courses short term to pool all the know- ,'($/,66$&.6',5(&725 It is common knowledge that our and even got an official war- ð9DQ0HGHQEDFKVDLGWRKDYH relations between Idealis and Wa- ning from the supervisory board. GDPDJHGUHODWLRQVZLWKWKH geningen UR have been poor for However, that did not lead to the XQLYHUVLW\DQGPXQLFLSDOLW\ some time. That was evident in desired improvement. The court ð'LUHFWRUJHWVJROGHQ 2011, for instance, when Van Me- documents show that the former KDQGVKDNHRIHXURV denbach lodged an objection to director himself feels he is not to the construction of temporary stu- blame. He says it is the university dent accommodation on the Haar- that is primarily responsible for Hans van Medenbach, the director weg. The result was a shortage of the strained relations. The court of student accommodation provi- housing for international students judge ruled that it is difficult to de- der Idealis, has been sacked by the at the start of the academic year. cide who is responsible for the im- housing corporation. The court re- The university is increasingly orga- paired relationship. ‘However, the port of the dismissal proceedings nizing accommodation for inter- fact is that the situation is not as it reveals that Idealis had lost confi- national students itself, with should be and the employee has dence in the director, in particular +DQVYDQ0HGHQEDFK housing in Ede and Bennekom. It not been able to change this.’ because of how he communicated is also looking for a different part- Van Medenbach will receive se- with the municipality and Wagen- bach, the Idealis boss since 2004. ner to Idealis for the construction verance pay of 175,000 euros. Idea- ingen UR. Managers and the supervisory of rooms on campus. lis pointed to the coalition agree- The application for a dismissal board were dissatisfied with how ment limiting severance pay to states that there had been doubts Van Medenbach represented Idea- 6(9(5$1&(3$< 75,000 euros but the judge did not for some years about the manage- lis in dealings with the municipali- Idealis says that Van Medenbach want to act in anticipation of the ment style adopted by Van Meden- ty and university. was held to account for his behavi- planned measure. /YG1 RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SQLHXZVLQGG news << 6&+())(5 6&,(17,6766+28/'86(7+(,5,178,7,21025( 6FLHQWLVWDQGPXVLFLDQ0DUWHQ for Resilience and Sustainability brains cannot do both at once. 6FKHʼnHUZLOOOLYHQXSWKH'LHV Studies), which you are setting up. Intuition often gets going when 1DWDOLVV\PSRVLXPZLWKDSHU Why? you are distracted – when you are IRUPDQFHRI&RQFHUWHG6FLHQFH ‘Artists, just like scientists, seek taking a shower, for instance. Or 0HDQZKLOH6FKHʼnHULVZRUNLQJ to capture the essence of the when you are making music. RQVHWWLQJXSDVFLHQWLŊFLQVWLWXWH world. Science is very good at Artists are trained in intuitive LQ6RXWK$PHULFDLQZKLFKWKH investigating the parts and in thinking, in exploring. That side of DUWVDQGWKHVFLHQFHVZLOOJR solving sub-questions. Scientists things is neglected by scientists.’ KDQGLQKDQG6FLHQFHFDQOHDUQD are specialists but for some ORWIURPWKHDUWVVD\V6FKHʼnHU questions you need to look at the So should first-years be given big picture. It is a matter of what music courses? Concerted Science? What is that? questions you ask. Artists look at ‘No, in thinking. Thinking ‘Concerted Science is an the world in a completely different about thinking. Learning to think. existing show, but the content way. We can learn ways of The philosophy of science really is changes. It is a mix of pieces of interpreting and communicating very important. By the way, I am music and snippets expressing things from each other.’ not the only one with these sorts of scientific questions and ideas. We 0DUWHQ6FKHIIHU ideas about the value of music. have put together a short half-hour SARAS wants to see a new The Dutch royal academy of the version especially for the Dies generation of scientists who Kahnemann has written a book sciences KNAW is in the process of Natalis.’ combine the strengths of the about it. He distinguishes between adding music to its disciplines. I sciences and the arts. What do you slow and fast thinking, or reason have recently become a member. There will be a similar emphasis mean by that? and intuition. All the great leaps in This was on the agenda at the first on looking for links with the arts in ‘I am interested in the way the sciences have come about meeting I went to. I applaud it SARAS (South American Institute scientists think. Nobel prizewinner through intuitive thinking. Our wholeheartedly.’ 5. ‘IT BOTHERS Why have you taken this initiative? ‘It isn’t my problem actually, but I’ve always .,72 ME THAT been affected by the stories about loneliness THERE IS in the student residence. It bothers me that there is so much loneliness, and doing SO MUCH something about it has been on my to-do list LONELINESS’ for quite a while. I have even applied for a job as caretaker for the Bornsesteeg.’ Why via Facebook? ‘It suddenly occurred to me that this would be a good way, and I already have some experience with groups like this. It seemed to me that the easiest way was to set this up myself, and then quickly inform one of the occupants about it. The threshold is low and within 24 hours, we had already reached 10 percent of the occupants.’ Are there results? ‘People start to introduce themselves, and their faces become more familiar. They have started to make sports appointments, and :KR"Lennart Verhoeven, occupants are making more use of the 2QOLQHFODVVHVYHU\SRSXODUè:KHQ,FDOO\RXUQDPHUDLVH\RXUKDQG$DUW"$DINH"é staff member of the communal space downstairs. I also think Student Service Centre that the group has lowered the threshold for :KDW"Started a contacting others. That’s why I get all sorts of Facebook group for friend requests from students whom I don’t Q827( students at the really know, but only through the group. ‘Foreigners always want to talk about that. And about Bornsesteeg. Other than this, I don’t want to push too Wageningen University.’ :K\"Wants to do hard, although it would be fantastic if a something about the Bornsesteeg festival came out of it. Such as a Board chair Piet Moerland talked to some Japanese about agriculture loneliness among foreign party, or a pot-luck dinner on one of the and the role of his Rabobank (NRC Handelsblad, 2 March). students evenings. 10 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SQLHXZVLQGG >> science 3/$17,1*$*$,16732//87,21 ð6WXGHQWVZLQFRPSHWLWLRQZLWK SODQIRUQDWXUDOSXULŊFDWLRQ ð$PVWHUGDPSODQVKRXOGVKRZ WKLVDSSURDFKLVIHDVLEOH In the north of Amsterdam across the IJ Channel lies the Buiksloterham industrial estate, a partly abandoned industrial area polluted with zinc, copper and AND PIETER THEUWS other pollutants. The municipality’s plans to gradually transform the area and develop it into a housing estate with shops have been put on hold because of the crisis. In the meantime, MARK WILSCHUT ILLUSTRATION: Buiksloterham would be more $UWLVWLPSUHVVLRQYDQKHWRQWZHUSYDQGH:DJHQLQJVHVWXGHQWHQ appealing if you planted a lot of greenery there, thought two heavy metals and they can break For the time being, this plan exists Since the biochemistry process Wageningen students of down organic matter. There are mainly on paper. But having won goes on at a slow pace, the Landscape Architecture. And this advantages to this compared with the Amsterdam Municipality objectives for these ten years are was just the beginning of their industrial removal, says Ingrid competition, the inevitably modest. ‘We don’t aspirations. Duchhart, assistant professor of phytoremediation idea will soon harbour any illusions that we can In their final year design, Pieter Landscape Architecture and the be applied in a small area. The end up with a completely clean Theuws and Mark Wilschut put pair’s supervisor: ‘In this way, you plan is to turn a former shipyard area,’ says Theuws. The main aim vegetation to work, making use of can really solve the problem called Ceuvel de Volharding into a is for the shipyard to show that the the capacity of some trees to clean instead of just moving the soil breeding ground for creative approach is feasible. ‘Meanwhile, up soil pollution in a process elsewhere.’ entrepreneurs. So over the coming we are making plans for other known as phytoremediation. This It requires patience, however. ten years, while plants extract unused parts of Amsterdam and works in various ways: the trees’ According to Duchhart, it takes poison from the soil there, creative other cities.’ The design will soon roots can prevent pollutants from about 45 to 100 years before soil souls will work in houseboats be featured in the Environmental leaching out, they can absorb can be cleaned by plants. grounded on the terrain. pollution journal. RR 7+(7587+$%287<285',(7 no alternative. three weeks. Around 18 percent of gave very accurate predictions of ð%LRPDUNHUVFDQUHSODFH That is why there is a real need these meals consisted of protein, how much meat protein people TXHVWLRQQDLUHV for biomarkers for food. These are largely of one type: meat, dairy or had eaten. Seven markers in ð3URWHLQVUHYHDOZKDWZHHDW compounds that can be detected cereal. At the end of each week, the combination gave a reasonable in blood or urine and reveal how subjects collected their urine for prediction for cereals. much you have eaten of a 24 hours and a blood sample was Although she is pleased with Can you still remember how many particular food. As part of her PhD taken. That gave interesting the results, Altorf emphasizes that snacks you ate yesterday? Or what research in the Human Nutrition results. ‘I was pleasantly surprised this is only the first step. They now you had for breakfast last Tuesday? department, Wieke Altorf-Van der to find such good biomarkers, have to determine how accurate We cannot answer such questions Kuil looked for biomarkers for especially for meat,’ says Altorf. ‘Of the markers are after a normal precisely because our memory is proteins, the object of her study. course that is what you hope meal. After all, then you eat all poor and unreliable. We also tend To be precise, she looked for beforehand, but I had my doubts kinds of proteins mixed up. to exaggerate how much broccoli markers that can distinguish whether the biomarkers would be And questionnaires will probably and cabbage we eat and between proteins from meat, able to explain much variation.’ In never disappear entirely. They may underestimate the number of cereals and dairy products. practice it turned out all three only give a rough estimate but they chips and crisps. Despite this, groups were easy to distinguish. are much cheaper than chemical nutrition scientists generally use ,17(5(67,1*5(68/76 What is more, they found useful analyses. And if that changes, it questionnaires to be filled in by She recruited 30 subjects who ate biomarkers for meat and cereals. will mean an end to our flattering their subjects – they usually have what the researchers gave them for Three compounds in combination lies. RR RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG science << 9 0$<)/,(66(16,7,9( 72,0,'$&/235,' 9,6,21ljlj researchers established both the ð/DUYDHPXFKPRUHVHQVLWLYHWKDQ concentrations at which half the insects 5RDGPDSWRQRZKHUH" EHOLHYHG die (LC50) and those at which half of è'LHWUHSODFHVPHGLFLQHéUHDGWKHKHDGOLQHLQWKH'XWFKGDLO\ ð&RQFHQWUDWLRQVLQVXUIDFHZDWHU them are immobilized (EC50). SDSHUDe VolkskrantDWWKHEHJLQQLQJRI0DUFK,WUHIHUUHGWR PD\SRVHULVN The effects of chronic exposure were WKHSXEOLFDWLRQRIDèURDGPDSéRIWKHKXPDQPHWDEROLVP even clearer. The tested mayflies (two è2QHRIWKHELJJHVWVFLHQWLŊFEUHDNWKURXJKVRIDOOWLPHéVDLG species) turned out to be much more FRDXWKRU+DQV:HVWHUKRʼnFODLPLQJWKDWLWZLOOVRRQEHSRV The use of the insecticide imidacloprid sensitive than the rest and gave up the VLEOHWRFRPEDWGLVHDVHVZLWKWDLORUPDGHGLHWDU\DGYLFH is coming under fire. The substance is ghost at surprisingly low 2WKHUH[SHUWVTXLFNO\ZHLJKHGLQZLWKWKHYLHZWKDWWKLVLVD suspected of being implicated in the concentrations. ‘These values are much ELJH[DJJHUDWLRQ You also think the research tells us little about nutrition. ‘Indeed, because it leaves out a crucial element for nutriti- on. The researchers do not look at all at regulation: the switching on and off of genes. Yet this is very important. Digestive processes have massive overcapacities which can be switched on and off. This depends, for instance, on our biorhythms: the capacity varies from the morning to the evening. There are other elements missing too: hormones, the influence of gut flora and the fact that cells are never isolated but are part of an organ.’ Now your field is front-page news, and it is for this. Do you feel that’s a pity? ‘Oh well, you spend your whole week trying to defuse the situation. But that makes a nice change.’ RR 352326,7,21 ‘The Dutch sausage is a good example of how to feed the world two times with two times less’ Panya Sae-Lim, who received a PhD on 8 March in Wageningen 0D\ŋ\ODUYD 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG >> science 95th Dies Natalis Food for all Sustainable nutrition security 15 March Last chance to register! www.wageningenUR.nl/dies Forum Irregular Opening Hours in April and May 2013 Wageningen 2013 The Building The Library Student Desk WURshop Restaurant Grand Café in'to Languages Good Friday 29 March 8 am - 11 pm Closed Closed 9 am - 2 pm Closed Closed Closed Saturday 30 March 10 am - 6 pm 10 am - 6 pm Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Easter Sunday 31 March Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Easter Monday 1 April Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Monday 29 April 8 am - 11 pm 8 am - 11 pm 12 pm - 2 pm Closed 10 am - 2 pm 8 am - 7 pm 9 am - 5 pm Tuesday 30 April Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Queens Day Wednesday 1 May 8 am - 11 pm 8 am - 11 pm 12 pm - 2 pm 9 am - 4 pm 10 am - 2 pm 8 am - 7 pm 9 am - 5 pm Thursday 2 May 8 am - 11 pm 8 am - 11 pm 12 pm - 2 pm 9 am - 4 pm 10 am - 2 pm 8 am - 7 pm 10 am - 5 pm Friday 3 May 8 am - 11 pm 8 am - 11 pm 12 pm - 2 pm 9 am - 2 pm 10 am - 2 pm 8 am - 5.30 pm Closed Saturday 4 May 10 am - 6 pm 10 am - 6 pm Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Sunday 5 May Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Liberation Day During working hours, the building is open to the public. After working hours, entrance is only possible with a WUR card. RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG discussion << 11 FRORSKRQ NjNj5(6285&(:851/ Resource is the magazine and news web- site for students and staff at Wageningen UR. Resource magazine comes out every $IWHUDOOWKHEURXKDKDDERXWWKHSRUQSURIHVVRU fortnight on Thursday. WKLVZHHNVDZVRPHZHOFRPHFLYLOL]HGGHEDWH 6XEVFULSWLRQV RQOLQH7KHPDLQFRQFOXVLRQ SHRSOHZRXOGOLNHWR A subscription to the magazine costs €58 VHHVWXGHQWSROLWLFVEHLQJDELWPRUHSROLWLFDO (overseas: €131) per academic year. $IWHUD\HDUZLWKMXVWRQHSDUW\DQGQRHOHFWLRQV Cancellations before 1 August. $GGUHVV HYHU\RQHZDQWVWRKHDUPRUHSRLQWVRIYLHZ Akkermaalsbos 12, 6708 WB Wageningen (Actio, Building 116, bode 31). POBox 409, *RWVRPHWKLQJWRVD\WRR"Email your views to [email protected] 6700 AK Wageningen. Secretariat: Thea Kuijpers, [email protected]. T 0317 484020 Website: resource.wur.nl. ISSN 1389-7756 (GLWRULDOVWDʼn 3$57,(6 ð*DE\YDQ&DXOLO HGLWRULQFKLHI The Wageningen Environmental Platform is setting up a council arranged this unilaterally. Thymos does not feel [email protected], T 0317 482997 green student party. The party will compete with VeSte, represented. ð5RE*RRVVHQV HGLWRU the only remaining party since the demise of Pulse. It [email protected], T 0317 485320 was actually VeSte that came up with the idea of the :-ZDQWVWRVHWWKHUHFRUGVWUDLJKWŊUVW$IWHUDULIW ð5RHORI.OHLV HFRORJ\VRFLDOVFLHQFHVHFR nomy), [email protected], T 0317 481723 new party. VeSte is no longer the only group on the student ð1LFROHWWH0HHUVWDGW ZHEHGLWRU council. ‘A group of three international students [email protected], 0317 488190 So after a lousy year in Wageningen student politics called The Independents voted for this too.’ VeSte ð/LQGDYDQGHU1DW VWXGHQWVHGXFDWLRQ there is some good news. The trouble started last year adds that Contractus (the four biggest student [email protected], 0317 481725 ZKHQ3XOVHFRXOGQRWŊQGHQRXJKPHPEHUVIRUWKH societies) is their main support base. So their ð5RE5DPDNHU QXWULWLRQŊVKHULHV QHZVWXGHQWFRXQFLO6RDOOWKHVHDWVZHUHŊOOHGE\ interests count for a lot. And as VeSte says itself: ‘If [email protected], T 0317 481709 ð$OEHUW6LNNHPD SODQWVFLHQFHVDQLPDO members of VeSte (and one independent member). To students don’t feel represented they can get actively sciences, organization) cap it all, Pulse collapsed too and that was the end of involved in our policy plan or they can start a new [email protected], T 0317 481724 its chances of making a comeback on the council. party.’ MJ cannot quite follow the whole discussion. /D\RXW WEP’s green initiative means students will soon have ‘Organizations that are ‘new’ are only allowed to ð+DQV:HJJHQKDQVZHJJHQ#ZXUQO a choice again. So the responses online are apply for FOS funding once they’ve been going for T 0317 485272; basic design of magazine: Nies & Partners bno Nijmegen RYHUZKHOPLQJO\SRVLWLYHè*RRGLQLWLDWLYHéVD\V three years anyway, so why all the worry that )UHHODQFHMRXUQDOLVWV 0DUOLHV. ‘[I] hope it works out! I wish you success in Contractus will lose out?’ Luckily 3VVW can explain: ‘An Alexandra Branderhorst, Jeroen Bok, Stijn any case!’ .HHV thinks it is good news too, but adds organization set up in 2009 missed the boat in the YDQ*LOV6LPRQH+HUUHZLMQLU Resource is printed on paper sourced from sustainably managed forests ESTHER BROUWER ESTHER 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 12 >> features The many faces of Wageningen research on food security Tastes differ Wageningen researchers bring a shared pragmatism zer) are running out and it is generally accepted that the current burden on the environment is too heavy. Wage- to research on food security all around the world. ningen’s 95th dies natalis is dedicated to this challenge. In other ways, however, their views and approaches That there is a challenge before us is something do vary. Should we aim at raising production? everyone in Wageningen agrees on. But when Aalt Should we go for ecological diversity? Dijkhuizen makes it the basis of a plea for intensive agriculture, Wageningen is up in arms. This is because Or for a powerful combination of the two? there are several different schools of thought in Wageningen as to how we can reach the goal of food text: Albert Sikkema security for nine million people. According to Maja Slingerland, a researcher at Plant Production Systems, Dijkhuizen represents the views of one of these schools of n 2050 the world population will have reached nine thought: that of sustainable intensification. This million people, all striving to achieve western levels approach of Wageningen production ecologists assumes of prosperity. In a couple of decades’ time we shall that farmers need to raise their production per hectare by therefor need to produce roughly twice as much making use of good seeds and adequate inputs. They also food as we do now. And we will have to find more need to specialize in particular crops and animals in order Isustainable production methods, since many of the fac- to optimize their systems. In doing so they should tors of production (good land, fresh water, artificial fertili- minimize the environmental damage inflicted by not RESOURCE — 1427 augustusMarch 2013 2009 (5(6SLQGG features << 13 wasting artificial fertilizer and pesticides. Slingerland Wageningen plant and animal breeding research calls this the dominant Wageningen school of thought on programmes are part of the sustainable intensification food security. approach too. The aim behind breeding sorghum and cassava varieties that are more resistant to drought, MORE INTENSIVE PRODUCTION diseases and pests is to increase the productivity of African One clear exponent of this approach is Martin van Itter- agriculture. The same goes for the breeding of robust and sum with his research on the yield gap: the gap between highly productive chickens in Ethiopia. Better breeds will actual and maximum possible agricultural production raise production per hectare, preferably with less feed, levels. Using models, Van Ittersum calculates the agricul- water, artificial fertilizer and pesticides. Contrary to what tural production could be raised all around the world if is often suggested, scale does not play a role in this farmers made good use of their production factors. He approach: intensification is important for both large- can calculate the yield gap for one field of wheat, one scale and small-scale farmers. But there are a few other thousand rice fields and the whole world. But the model principles underpinning the intensification philosophy. gets complicated if it has to factor in the complexity of a It assumes that farmers – big and small – own the means farm and the farmer’s decision-making, says Slingerland. of production and have access to the market, enabling This is because there are many farmers of various kinds them to recoup investments fast. The economists of who grow several different crops, sometimes simulta- Wageningen UR are also part of the school of sustainable neously and sometimes in rotation. Van Ittersum’s model intensification. ‘The economists see the market as the Soya monoculture cannot cope with that. regulating mechanism for demand and supply,’ says in Brazil. 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 14 >> features Slingerland. That is valuable, but falls short in certain banana that is resistant to the disease. Kema, however, areas too, in her view. ‘The economic models can deal takes ecology as his starting point. The researchers want with specialized companies but not with farmers who to understand the symptoms of the banana disease, how it grow a mix of five different crops.’ spreads, and what role is played by the ecosystem. By analyzing the interaction between the pathogen, the soil ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY and the plants, they hope to locate a mechanism with Where the variation gets too big for the dominant which Panama disease can be controlled. Wageningen model, another school of thought comes In practice there are many grey areas between the into the picture. This approach takes biodiversity as its sustainable intensification school and the ecological starting point, says Slingerland. Rather than seeking to approach. Plant and livestock breeders may indeed favour change the environmental conditions to facilitate higher intensification but they also stand to gain from ecological production, the researchers make ecology their starting diversity. After all, that is the source of the material for point. They want to understand how farmers come up selecting or designing a better plant or animal. There are with their various different systems in interaction with also entomologists who study the biological interactions their environments, and how they can make use of the between plants and insects in order to design biological natural variation. Here Slingerland has in mind Pablo Tittonell’s organic agriculture systems, Lijbert Brussaard’s soil science research and Jan Douwe van der Ploeg’s ‘The economic models can deal business styles. What these researchers have in common with specialized companies is a starting point that says; diversity is good, monoculture but not with farmers who grow is undesirable. They are in a minority in Wageningen. a mix of five different crops.’ Sietze Vellema of the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation chair group is among the supporters of the eco-approach. Together with phytopathologist Gert Kema pest control methods. Here again, the ecosystem is the and soil scientist Jetse Stoorvogel, he does research on starting point and is used for pest control in one of more Panama disease, which affects banana plantations all monocultures. over the world. The standard approach is to develop a Sietze Vellema suggests another way of categorizing Wageningen research on the food supply: the dominant Wageningen approach is based on a design, while others look at food production from an evolutionary point of FOOD FOR ALL view. ‘The design-oriented researchers work on a limited During the Dies Natalis economic breakthroughs package of solutions to world food supply issues. Even celebration the university are at the heart of the mat- Dijkhuizen participates in the debate from the standpoint will present a new book ter, says the rector. In his of a preferred solution. I am more inclined to take an about food security: Food view these are often minor evolutionary point of view. This emphasizes how farmers for All; Sustainable Nutri- breakthroughs, small steps and other users of knowledge and technology select tion Security. A substantial towards removing a bar- solutions in the course of their day-to-day practice. For and richly illustrated rier to an adequate supply that you need diversity, otherwise there is no choice and English-language book of of healthy food. But bigger you may not have any options left for unexpected problems 142 pages ‘about the role breakthroughs are on their and tailor-made solutions.’ of Wageningen UR in this way too, such as Wagenin- major field,’ says commis- gen’s contribution to sus- FOOD WASTE sioning party and co-initi- onal value. ‘At present tainable greenhouse horti- Although the spectrum between the intensive and the ator Martin Kropff. there is enough food to go culture through biological ecological approach goes a long way towards categorizing The books gives insight round but it is not fairly pest control and the use of Wageningen food research, there are disciplines which into Wageningen UR’s sci- distributed,’ Kropff greenhouses to generate fall outside these categories. As a researcher at the Centre entific contribution to the explains. ‘We give energy. The book is inten- for Development Innovation, Marianne van Dorp focuses search for solutions to the examples, for instance, of ded, says Kropff, to inspire primarily on developing countries. She notes a strong world food problem. It what Wageningen research a broad public. emphasis on production in Wageningen, whereas there explains three aspects of can contribute to solving are other factors at work in food security as well. Such as food security, says the rec- these problems.’ Food for All, sustainable food waste in the chain (40 percent of all the food produced tor magnificus: the availa- Time and again, innova- nutrition security, editors: globally goes to waste) and the quality of food. bility of sufficient food, tion and synergy between Martin Kropff, Johan van She takes Bangladesh as an example: a country which access to food, and nutriti- technological and socio- Arendonk, Huub Löffler. has made self-sufficiency in rice production the corner- stone of its food security policy for many years. It has now RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG features << 15 PHOTO: HANS DIJKSTRA PHOTO: Varied agriculture in Brazil. achieved its goal. Yet a section of the population is still ltancy work, practical-minded Wageningers often run up undernourished because the quality and diversity of the against exclusion and political barriers. In such situations food they get is inadequate. Bangladesh is now focusing Van Dorp sometimes knocks at the door of the Dutch on diversifying food production by developing livestock embassy. ‘You hope then that they will be able to use their farming, fish farming and horticulture. This is important diplomatic clout to help solve a political problem. Because for Bangladesh both economically and nutritionally, says it is not always handy to get involved yourself, as a Van Dorp. The principle is valid in nutrition too: variation researcher.’ This subtle approach is typical of the is good, monoculture is undesirable. Wageningers who are aiming to improve food security in Van Dorp feels there are issues that are neglected by the world. Their prime focus is on the food production Wageningen research. Such as the political aspects of the system. world food supply question. ‘FAO statistics indicate that And in spite of the different schools of thought, there is there is no shortage of food at the moment, but that it is a genuinely ‘Wageningen approach’ to increasing food largely a question of distribution,’ says Van Dorp. ‘Eco- security. It lies in a tendency to combine the divergent nomic development is no guarantee of preventing hunger points of view and disciplines of Wageningen UR. and undernourishment.’ India, for example, is developing Researchers and consultants, for instance, often work nicely economically but the number of undernourished together in multidisciplinary teams. ‘We are very people there is undiminished. pragmatic,’ says Maja Slingerland, who collaborates with Maja Slingerland notices the lack of that political angle technical and social scientists coming from several in the research on competing claims: competition for different schools of thought. Social scientist Vellema access to land and water among farmers, nature managers works with natural scientists all the time, too. Wageningen and businesses. ‘In such cases we Wageningers talk about UR’s research and projects aim at concrete results: a food, energy and nature. But power relations play a role in better crop, efficient water use, improved soils, a farmers’ In the next issue: an these negotiations too. Here we pay the price for not cooperative or a practice-oriented university. Is the world interview with agriculture having a political science department. There are very few hungry? Then we must make sure more and better food is expert Louise Fresco, who Wageningen scientists who look at food supplies from a produced. With this practical attitude Wageningers can will give the Dies Natalis political perspective.’ work in any country and political system towards lecture tomorrow. In their development-oriented research and consu- improving food security. 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 16 >> picture MINISTER VISITS ALGAEPARC Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp (with hood) listens to an explanation by algae research Maria Barbosa at an icy AlgaeParc during a working visit to Wageningen UR on 11 March. On the left Aalt Dijkhuizen listens in; on the right director Raoul Bino seems to be inspecting the algae production testing facility. Kamp was briefed on the production of energy and chemicals from algae as part of the biobased economy. The minister also visited a knowledge market showcasing Wageningen innovations and FrieslandCampina’s new R&D laboratory on campus. ‘People here succeed in involving entrepreneurs in research,’ noted Kamp. AS, foto Bart de Gouw RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG picture << 17 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 18 >> features Is there an honorary doctor in the house? WHO WENT Three scientists will receive honorary doctorates to celebrate the BEFORE THEM? anniversary of Wageningen’s dies natalis. Resource looked into why these 2008 three and why the university has embraced this tradition. David Baulcombe (UK), text illustration Plant scientist, Cam- : Rob Ramaker and Roelof Kleis / : Kito bridge University Daniel Pauly, (Fr), Fis- heries scientist, Univer- x-Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan-Peter nominated plant scientist Farquhar. ‘You look for sity of British Columbia Balkenende got one, as did Queen Beatrix and someone who both deserves it and is likely to enjoy writer Harry Mulisch. The Dalai Lama and Nelson receiving it. And he mustn’t have so many honorary 2003 Mandela have more the fifty. Margaret Thatcher doctorates already that he could play happy families with Walter Willet (US), Nutri- was passed over for one by her alma mater Oxford then.’ Once a potential candidate has been picked, tion scientist, Harvard EUniversity. Served her right for cutting back on higher someone checks whether they would be able to come and University education. What are we talking about? Honorary collect their honorary doctorate in person. It’s not much Robert McNeill Alexander doctorates. True to tradition, at the anniversary of a party without the guest of honour, after all. Until (UK), Zoologist, Univer- celebration – held this year on 15 March – Wageningen then, the chosen one is not let into the secret – at least in sity of Leeds University will bestow this honour on three top scientists: theory. The university has made a conscious choice only to Richard Leakey (Ken), Graham Farquhar, Richard Lenski and Brain Staskawicz. consider academics for the honour, explains rector Paleoanthropologist, The search for the honorary doctors began in summer Kropff. ‘We have other prizes for other achievements. Like Stony Brook University 2012, when Wageningen professors were asked by rector the silver medal Kofi Annan received a couple of years magnificus Martin Kropff to nominate candidates. ago.’ 2000 ‘During our staff meeting someone came up with the idea Apart from De Visser and Struik, five others sent in Partha Dasgupta (Ind), of proposing Richard Lenski,’ says Arjan de Visser, nominations this time. All the candidates were men. Economist, Cambridge associate professor of Genetics. ‘And asked if I would do it, Kropff cannot come up with the name of the last woman University since I had been a postdoc of his.’ De Visser was all for the to receive an honorary doctorate in Wageningen. There is Per Pinstrup-Andersen nomination, as he considers Lenski an inspiring scientist. an obvious explanation for the low proportion of women (Den), Agricultural econo- To give him a sporting chance, De Visser wrote a persuasive nominated. ‘There are relatively few women professors in mist, Cornell University letter of recommendation, which went off to the rector and University of Copen- signed by other admirers such as Louise Vet and Willem hagen de Vos. ‘The university has made a Nevin Scrimshaw, (US), The university has two clear requirements for honorary conscious choice only to consider Nutrition scientist, MIT, doctors, and De Visser’s letter had to demonstrate that academics for the honour’ died in February 2013 they were met by his candidate. The scientists should have an ‘undisputed’ reputation and a link with the mission of 1998 the university. ‘The first was no issue in Lenski’s case,’ our field. But that is going to change.’ The seven candidates Gene Likens (US), Ecolo- says De Visser. ‘I was shocked afresh by his CV. He has had were considered by a committee of five professors from all gist, Yale University, Rut- 38 publications in Nature and Science.’ As for the second the fields at the university, which is chaired by Just Vlak, gers University (among point, the biologist leads an institute that applies emeritus professor of Virology. The committee went into others) fundamental scientific insights to practical problems. conclave, jokes Vlak, to decide who deserved an honorary Chris Somerville (US), Which is typical of Wageningen. doctorate. ‘We assess the nominated candidates on a Professor of Alternative number of points. Picture it as a table in which scientists Energy, University of Cali- IN PERSON get crosses against their name per category.’ The fornia There are practical considerations when choosing committee strives to be objective but we should not honorary doctors, too, explains Paul Struik, who imagine that it is a precise ‘mathematical exercise’, says RESOURCE — 1427 augustusMarch 2013 2009 (5(6SLQGG features << 19 Vlak. He did not find it difficult to make a selection this time, anyway. ‘Three people stood out clearly.’ The trio was approved without hesitation by the executive board, THE HONORARY DOCTORS: AN INTRODUCTION which puts the official nominations to the Academic Graham Farquhar , distin- Richard Lenski, professor Brian Staskawicz, Board. guished professor at Aus- of Microbial Ecology at professor of Plant Biology tralian National University Michigan State University and Microbiology at the VERY HONOURED Meteorology, Plant Physio- Evolution in a test tube is University of California The three will receive their honorary doctorates on 15 logy, Plant Sciences. Lenski’s field. For 25 years Staskawicz is a pioneer March, and Staskawicz will say a word of thanks on their Became famous primarily he has been tracking the in the war between behalf. There is not time for more than that during the for his plant research on evolution of twelve strains pathogenic bacteria and ceremony, but they will each give a masterclass in the water efficiency and pho- of bacteria in incredible their plant victims. He morning. It seems a lot of bother just for a brief ceremonial tosynthesis, the process detail. ‘He was the first discovered a bacterial moment, but the university has plenty of reason to uphold by which plants fix energy both to have such detailed ‘attack gene’. This gene this tradition, says Kropff. ‘An honorary doctorate from the sun. His research data and to have a really contains the information brightens up the ceremony. And you also strengthen the focused on the link between good grasp of the theory,’ for the protein that helps ties between these leading academics and the university. photosynthesis and climate says Arjan de Visser of the plants to attack. ‘This They become Wageningen’s ambassadors and visiting change and he served on Genetics chair group, a research is of interest to cards. They put it on their CVs and they are proud of it. An the IPCC climate change colleague of nominator Wageningen scientists honorary doctorate leads to collaboration as well. panel. ‘His strength is that Bas Zwaan. Thanks to his because it looks for Students going on internships, for instance.’ he can apply fundamental famous experiment, he biological resistance in It is interesting for the nominators, too, to have a visit insights to global proces- communicates about plants instead of chemical from a top scientist. During their few days in Wageningen, ses,’ says nominator Paul science with the general defence,’ says nominator the guests will give lectures and a lot of networking will go Struik, professor of Crop public a great deal. This is Pierre de Wit. No honorary on. All the PhD students will be put through their paces, Physiology. Farquhar Lenski’s first honorary doctorate graces says Paul Struik. They will present their work to Graham received an honorary doc- doctorate. Staskawicz’s CV to date. Farquhar, who will give them feedback on it. De Visser is torate from the University organizing a special symposium in honour of Lenski, of Antwerp in 2006. while Pierre de Wit will get Staskawicz to Wageningen on sabbatical later this year. The degree is a mark of recognition for the honorary title they can use. But they are all keen to come and get it: doctors. They are not attached to the university, and the they are ‘very honoured’, ‘thrilled’ and ‘touched’ by the degree carries no rights or responsibilities – not even a gesture. Scientists are only human. 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 20 >> features Learning alone together Free courses, taught by interactive methods and available to anyone on the internet. More and more universities are offering them, including several Dutch ones. But Wageningen University has different ideas about its future online. text: Linda van der Nat and Rob Ramaker / photo: Bart de Gouw ectures from the very best teachers, no fees at all, Mulder also expects to see the development of MOOCs and nothing to stop you studying in bed in your throwing up innovations which will trickle into conventio- pyjamas. Sound like a good deal? If so, you were nal education. ‘That makes us pioneers of those kinds of born at the right time because there are hundreds educational innovations.’ of courses on the internet offering precisely that. LThey are called MOOCs, or massive open online courses, SCEPTICAL and they look exactly like normal university courses. Just Educational experts in Wageningen are skeptical about like university courses they are only offered once or twice a MOOCs. ‘They don’t fit our way of doing things,’ says year. The only difference is that now you follow lectures at Michèle Gimbrère, senior educational policy advisor. your own tempo and they are chopped into short films of 1 ‘Neither in terms of content nor in terms of methodology.’ to 3 minutes, followed by a quiz to test your understan- The ‘massive’ scale clashes with Wageningen’s philo- ding of the material. If you run into problems you can put sophy of small classes and intensive interaction with tea- questions to teachers and other students on forums. Your chers, for example. Nor can Wageningen afford to spend homework is checked by a computer or by your fellow stu- millions on an experiment; it does not have such deep dents. And if you pass the exam you get a certificate. pockets as Stanford, which has received one billion in Hundreds of MOOCs appeared last year alone. Most of donations in the past year. At the most, Gimbrère would them are in the fields of IT, maths and physics, but you can see a role for MOOCs as a visiting card: ‘You could perhaps also find courses on biology, ancient history and law. These courses attract mass interest: a typical MOOC ‘A typical MOOC attracts about attracts about 50,000 students but big crowd pullers like 50,000 students but big crowd Artificial Intelligence get 160,000. Compare that with the pullers like Artificial Intelligence hundreds (at the most) attending conventional class- room-based lectures. get 160,000.’ The big drivers of the MOOC are the top American uni- versities. That ensured that it spread fast, says Anka Mul- use them to show how good Wageningen expertise is, and der, secretary and director of Education at the Technical to give students a chance to sample the educational University of Delft and an expert on online education. atmosphere here.’ ‘The involvement of Harvard, Stanford and MIT sends a This does not mean that Gimbrère sees no future at all signal to other universities: if they are doing it, they must in online education. It is just that it should involved smal- have their reasons.’ ler groups of students and a higher level. ‘That is why we Since the beginning of this year Dutch universities are aiming for distance learning,’ says Gimbrère. Indivi- have started following in their footsteps. The first to offer dual courses are already being offered by this route but free online courses were the Universities of Leiden, there are more ambitious plans. ‘We are developing two Amsterdam (UvA) and Delft. In practical terms this means programmes which can be followed almost entirely investing money in giving away their knowledge free of through distance learning,’ says Gimbrère. ‘They are charge. That may seem a strange thing to do, but there are Wageningen programmes with real interaction.’ Stu- a number of good reasons for doing it, says Mulder. ‘The dents, many of whom are working professionals, pay tui- first one is idealism. If you offer good education, it is tion fees just like any others. In their form and wide range important to make it accessible to as many people as pos- the courses resemble MOOCs, explains plant scientist sible.’ But then she also believes the universities benefit Jan-Kees Goud, who adapted two courses for distance from it themselves: ‘MOOCs increase your visibility: hund- learning. ‘We provide learning materials at MSc level. reds of thousands of students all over the world see them.’ They come in the form of computer-based modules, RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG features << 21 videos, recorded lectures, discussion forums, online col- online education: ‘It is better not to do the exams online Taking classes with top tea- laboration and supervision.’ Goud himself is very satisfied yet. We want to make sure that the person doing the exam chers from the comfort of with distance learning so far. ‘It works very well: the results is who he says he is.’ She also wants to look into how you your bed? It is possible with are better that those obtained through classroom-based can offer practicals and the social interaction of a univer- MOOCs. courses. They are very highly rated in evaluations too. Well sity course online. She does not think online education above 4 on a scale of 5.’ will end up replacing ‘campus education’, but expects that they will both improve under each other’s influence. LOW SUCCESS RATE Mulder is therefore wary of the ‘my course can’t be given To highlight the differences between the two approaches online’ reflex. ‘People often think risks, but for the time to distance education, Gimbrère points out the low suc- being I am thinking opportunities.’ cess rate on MOOCs. Less than 10 percent of students on the majority of the courses reach the finishing line. In the HYPE most successful course 20 percent get through. These are Meanwhile, the hype-generating machine is in full swing disastrous pass rates compared with those of regular uni- in the United States. In his New York Times column last versity courses. January, journalist Thomas Friedman sketched a utopian Anka Mulder does not let this deter her. ‘But a MOOC vision. MOOCs, he reckons, will offer a good higher educa- has a different objective than an online version of a com- tion to the disadvantaged all over the world. Eventually plete degree programme,’ she says. In Mulder’s view there they will undermine the idea of a university and a degree is a place for both MOOCs and distance learning program- altogether. Soon students will not attend just one univer- mes. ‘For example, the TU Delft will be offering an online sity but will put together a degree from an à la carte menu Master’s programme from September. It has very diffe- in the form of a list of popular courses. rent requirements than a MOOC.’ So Mulder looks at the Technical journalist Nicholas Carr tempers such success rates in a different way too. She gives the example expectations, pointing out that new media always evoke of the artificial intelligence course, on which about 14 per- great but unrealistic expectations. Not only were the inter- cent of the 160,000 participants passed: about 22,000 stu- net and computers going to revolutionize education, but dents. More than a professor reaches with a conventional before that great things were expected of the television, course in the course of an entire career. Mulder: ‘If people the radio, the phonograph and even – believe it or not – the complete a course in numbers like that, that is a great suc- modern postal service. MIT professor Seymour Papert cess.’ announced in 1984: ‘There won’t be schools in future. I Of course she does see some practical challenges in think the computer will blow up the school.’ 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 22 >> IMO GREEN as grass The WEP (Wageningen Environmental Platform) is busy starting up a new green party. At last there will be a choice of parties on the student council. Hence our proposition for this issue: a green party is just what we need! text: Nicolette Meerstadt & Roelof Kleis / illustration: iStock Matthijs Kolpa (WEP) all that popular. What should the new party start with? MSc student of Forest and Nature Making sustainability visible. The university should make Management, initiator of the new what it is doing in this area much more visible.’ party ‘Of course I agree. For me a party of Jouke Dykstra this kind is the missing link for Ex-board member of the Wageningen pushing Wageningen University student union WSO further towards sustainability. Not ‘For a start a new party is urgently that we are doing badly when it comes to sustainability. I needed on the student council. It would give us eight out of ten, mainly because we are hea- will ensure better discussions on the ding in the right direction. But we are not there yet. There council and make parties think are lots of green clubs: GOW, Share, RUW, Otherwise and through their standpoints during the WEP. A green party is the last step needed to be able to elections. That will sharpen them up. What is more, many generate more sustainability from the student council. students obviously do not feel represented by VeSte, so You cannot look at every topic from a sustainability angle, there is a need for a new voice. I am not sure whether a but you can do so for a lot of topics. Not that I see us as a green party is the answer, though. There has to be a cer- one-issue party. The green element is the basis but it will tain level of dissatisfaction among students before you probably be a progressive party. Yes, it will be quite a lot can mobilize them. Right now there is a big group of stu- like GroenLinks [the Dutch green left party].’ dents who are dissatisfied with Wageningen UR’s sustai- nability policy. Personally I see more future in a party for in- Peter Veldman ternational students, because they are not directly represen- Sixth year student of Consumer ted. What is more, that kind of party can have a direct link Science and liberal party D66 council with established societies such as ISOW and IxESN, which member in Wageningen would guarantee the continuity of the party. A green party ‘I think it’s good to have a second does not have a broad support base, and that is risky in the party. It means that there really is a long run.’ choice, which is good for democracy. Other issues will be raised in debates Robin Smale than those that are important to VeSte. But as far as I’m Green Office Wageningen, fourth year concerned it doesn’t have to be a green party. I hope it will student of Environmental Sciences have a broader support base than just the WEP. They ‘I think it is important to get stu- should avoid comparing themselves with GroenLinks. For dents more involved in pursuing the that reason, the word ‘green’ should not be in the name. It sustainability agenda. For VeSte sus- is good to pay more attention to sustainability but I would tainability is just one of many points say: keep the main issues in mind and don’t present they consider. And the Green Office, yourselves as too sustainability-minded. The PSF wasn’t which I am in, gives feedback but mainly just implements RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG IMO << 23 be a broad-based sustainability party. Social and econo- mic sustainability is important too.’ Francy Vennemann Final year student of Nutrition and Health ‘What does the new party want to achieve, actually? I think sustainabi- lity is important but that doesn’t me- an I would vote for them. It strikes me as important that they adopt clear standpoints and position themselves clearly in relation to VeSte. How do they think they will tackle things better? I have never taken a big interest in the student council and I don’t actually know exactly what VeSte stands for. Only when I have more information about both parties will I be able to form an opinion. In my view there are green issues that the student council really should ad- dress. I have no problems in my own day-to-day life at the university. I will graduate soon, so my biggest concern is the job market.’ Christianne Kerkhofs Member of Veste, the biggest party on the student council ‘We at VeSte are very happy to see a new party. At the moment we have ni- ne of the twelve seats on the council. This means we represent all stu- policy. As a university we have not been doing badly over dents whereas we would like to focus the past three years. I would give us eight out of ten. But it more on active students. As a party you can’t represent needs to become more visible. Something that could be everyone, and a new party can choose its own key issues. improved is the application of in-house knowledge on The sustainability angle is interesting and it fits well with sustainability on the campus. Experiments, trials… these Wageningen ideas. At the same time, we don’t want to lose sorts of things are tremendously inspiring. But there is lit- too many seats. I think two would be enough for this party, tle of that to be seen on the campus. The new party should especially if it’s going to be a single-issue party.’ 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 24 >> student CLIMBING FOR NO MORE BEER CAMBODIA FOTOGRAAF FOR UNDER-18S CREDIT The minimum age limit for on the bars at the big student under 18, so it is not difficult to alcohol in the Netherlands is societies. enforce the law. The members who almost certainly going to be do bar duty are authorized to ask Who? Carlos Agudelo (researcher raised to 18 years from 1 January What does the AID committee for ID. When the new law comes in at FrieslandCampina) 2014. What will that mean for think about it? the society will see whether there is What? He and Annelise Tripp student life in Wageningen, The AID committee is not a need to tighten up the rules. (student of Food Technology) are where a good time often goes worried. Some years back there going to conquer the longest arti- hand in hand with a few beers? A were sometimes 15-year-olds (from Who is going to check, actually? ficial climbing route in the world. few angles on this question. VHL or STOAS) who were not Law enforcement is one of the Why? To raise funds for a child- allowed to drink alcohol. A municipal council’s tasks. Every ren’s hospital in Cambodia Why is the minimum age being wristband was used to enforce council is supposed to have an raised? that. Now there will be more officer trained to enforce the Where did you get the idea from? The move is being made at the students going through the drinking laws. In theory these ‘It came up when I was on holiday request of a broad coalition of introduction days with a wristband officers work under cover, but in in Cambodia and visited the Ang- health organizations, partly on. The AID is optimistic about the the student world it is a bit hard kor Hospital for Children. The ter- because of new insights into the effect on the atmosphere. ‘The AID for a middle-aged civil servant to rible things I saw in the hospital destructive impact of alcohol on is one big party anyway. Even pass unnoticed so they cannot touched me. And the idea of a the young brain, and partly without drink.’ We certainly hope really do their job. There is sponsored climb grew out of that. because of the increase in binge- they are right about that. therefore a national team of young Of course you have to come up drinking among the young. The people (19-23) authorized to with something attention-catching change to the law is being And the societies? identify infringements. Even they and that was the Luzzone dam in proposed by the Christian Ceres is already making use of might find it hard to operate in Switzerland, at 165 metres the hi- Democratic CDA, the Christian wristbands, while all the barmen close-knit student circles. ghest climbing wall in the world. Union, the Reformed Church SGP and barmaids get a course on Annelise, a fellow member of the and the social democratic PvdA ‘serving alcohol responsibly’. They So should the societies bother so student climbing club IBEX, was parties. It has the support of most learn to spot minors and there is a much about it? enthusiastic about the idea other parties with the exception of list of under-18s, who are already Yes, not only because alcohol is straightaway.’ the ultra-right-wing PVV and the prohibited from drinking spirits by really bad for minors, but also liberal D66 parties. Dutch law. The board even sees because the municipal council has Already training hard? the point of the new law. ‘Of course a few measures up its sleeve for if ‘Yes. It is new to us to climb in sta- What will it mean for student life too much alcohol can be damaging, they suspect a catering outlet of ges, making a hold for yourself eve- in Wageningen? especially at a young age.’ not sticking to the rules (for ry time. We have to do that becau- The new law is expected to have It is a similar story at KSV: there example if a minor is brought to se we cannot take up enough rope the biggest impact on the AID and are very few members who are the A&E department in a drunken for the whole climb in one go. But stupor). They can suspend sales of the main thing that makes the alcohol, change opening times or climb so tough is the psychological demand a minimum age of factor: you are climbing a totally admission. flat wall. All around you, you can see nothing but concrete. That’s So no more alcohol for under-18s? enough to make even the most ex- Not in theory, no. On the other perienced climber feel a bit queasy.’ hand a lot of student social life consists of informal groups Luckily all your efforts will not be in throwing unofficial parties, in vain. student houses for example. ‘That’s right. We hope to raise Whether anyone is going to check 10,000 dollars in the end, which up on under-age drinking at such will all go directly to the hospital. events – and if so, how – is not at We are busy raising funds. Even a all clear. JB small amount makes a different: for one dollar you can vaccinate Traditional Beer Cantus during the AID of 2012. Beer will soon be off-limits five children. That thought moti- for some first-year students. vates us tremendously.’ JB RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG student << 25 Student qualifies for Paralympics ‘I LOVE THE SPEED’ The past few years have revolved fitness: working out, cycling. Not around skiing for Anna very exciting. But then when I go Jochemsen. And at the end of up in the first lift in the winter, I February her commitment bore know why I do it all. I could go on fruit: the 27-year-old student of skiing for ever.’ Nutrition and Health qualified for the Paralympics of 2014 in ‘I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY’ Sochi, Russia. As a child, Anna learned to ski from her father. She took her game That Anna’s performance at the to new heights just seven years World Championships in Spain ago. ‘I had talent but no technique. won her a place at the Paralympics So I looked for someone who could has not quite sunk in yet. ‘It wasn’t teach me that. He was a really a very good competition for competition skier and he took me me. It may sound a bit silly but the with him to a tournament. That set slope didn’t suit me. There was a MARCUS HARTMANN PHOTOS: the ball rolling.’ For the last four long, flat bit and my weight is Anna Jochemsen: ‘If I keep going like this I could surprise people.’ years the student’s life has against me on that.’ But Anna did revolved around skiing. ‘I learn get into the best eight in the something new every day.’ She slalom, which secured her ticket to taught me to tough it out more in appeals to the Bennekom skier. spends about 20 weeks a year Sochi. ‘In the time to come I can adversity.’ ‘Skiing is a complex sport. It training abroad. Her days are full, get placed indirectly in other races Because she certainly will have demands a lot of you, technically, with at least three hours on the ski such as the giant slalom and the to tough it out when she whizzes physically and mentally. I love the slopes, followed by working out, Super G.’ down the slopes on her one ski. cycling, physio, video analysis and ‘The skis are the same as ordinary ‘In the winter this waxing the skis. ‘You are happy if TOUGH IT OUT ones, only I also use special crutch you get to bed at ten o’clock. In the Anna has always had to get around skis that you can put on the snow sport definitely winter this sport definitely cannot on only one leg. When her mother to keep your balance. I try to use cannot be combined be combined with studying.’ was pregnant she had an accident. the crutch skis as little as possible with studying.’ In February Anna started the As a result Anna’s right leg did not because they slow you down a lot. Master’s in Nutrition and Health. grow properly. ‘As a child you do But then you have the pressure of She has very little contact with her realize it is not normal,’ says Anna. your entire weight on one leg. It is speed in ski racing.’ Anna would coursemates. ‘I am so out of sync ‘In spite of the pain and the way it very heavy, and you are working love to be on the ski slopes all year that I keep being in classes with sometimes limits you, you can lead hard all the time.’ round. ‘In the summer I do different people. But I don’t mind. a perfectly good life. Maybe it But hard work is exactly what nothing but train for strength and Luckily the teachers are very flexible. They understand my transferring from one group to another.’ Anna does not mind missing out on a lot of student life. ‘In the first three years I studied here I did join in student life. I was in the Navigators and I lived in the town centre in Wageningen in a very friendly student house. I also spent a year on a board and I went to almost all the parties. So I do know what I am missing now. But my priority now is Sochi. I started skiing relatively late so I have not yet reached my peak. The competition is very stiff, but if I keep going like this I could surprise people.’ Linda van der Nat 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 26 >> student OLD NEWS Hardening of the arteries is not No more self-styled ‘minors’ allowed such a modern complaint after all, suggests research by cardiologists Calling your own selection of interests or ambitions. No more ‘lite’ course packages from Saint Luke’s in Kansas City. elective courses a minor as part Up to now, this kind of then. Not that this was usually the They put 137 mummies through the of your Bachelor’s degree is not individual package may be called a students’ intention. Most students scanner. One third of them (the on anymore. Not, that is, if it is minor, subject to the approval of do opt for a set minor as a basis mummies, that is) had clogged up up to Wageningen’s Education the examination board. But if the but they give it a personal touch by arteries. Institute (the OWI). executive board takes the advice of exchanging one or two of the This casts the OWI, those days will soon be doubt on During the third year of a over. You will still be allowed to put ‘The minors are the link Wageningen Bachelor’s there is together your own combination of not there with space for at least 24 ECTS courses but that will not be without reason’ lifestyle. Or consisting of elective courses. This mentioned as a ‘minor’ on your does it? offers scope for exploring another degree certifi cate. courses for others that interest Perhaps our subject area or for delving deeper The OWI wants to get rid of the them more. That possibility will ancestors into your main subject area. ‘free minor’ because relatively few still be available in the new system, were partial Students can also opt to follow one students seem to opt in to a pre- albeit to a more limited extent. In to fatty of the 57 minors created by the determined minor, says Tiny van consultation with their study snacks too. various degree programmes with a Boekel of the OWI. This realization advisors, students will be able to view to providing coherence and came as a surprise. ‘The minors swap a maximum of one course for SPERM depth. They are also free to put are not there without reason. For a different one without sacrifi cing The quality of sperm seems to vary together their own combination of us the designation ‘minor’ stands their claim to have followed a with the seasons, say Israeli courses to fi t their particular for a guarantee of quality.’ minor. JB gynaecologists after studying 6455 samples. The quantity and mobility of the seed peaks in the winter. According to the researchers that explains the peak in births in the autumn. Does it? Exam question: name three other explanations for the autumn baby boom. WALKABOUT Writing a dissertation is unhealthy. If you are too fanatical about it, that is. Maastricht scientists have concluded that sitting for extended periods of time – about 14 hours per day – is bad for you. Even if you also do an hour of intensive sport and walk around for a couple of hours. Eight hours of sitting and six hours on your feet is much healthier. So postpone graduation or go to the lab. CAFFEINE BUZZ? It is not just humans who crave caff eine. Bees will go out of their way to get a shot too. British scientists discovered this when they tried to train bees. They turned out to remember the odour of nectar with caff eine three RECYCLED BAGS Shoppers at the Albert Heijn idea of reusing plastic bags communally will catch on, times better than that of nectar supermarket in Wageningen can now fi sh a used plastic explains one of the initiators, Bjorn van As. ‘If it works without it. Good for their memory bag out of the bag bin. The bin was installed at the end you will get a circulation so that the plastic bags are in then. It would be nice if that of February on the initiative of a group of students, for eff ective use for longer. Hopefully the idea will catch on worked for people too. Holland whom the project is part of the course ‘Empowerment for and more shops, schools and libraries will be willing to would be the smartest country in Sustainability’. It is a pilot project to test whether the install their own bag bins.’ LvdN / foto Bart de Gouw the world. RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG student << 27 EPISODE 5 - MORTIERSTRAAT 14B<< Filthy nough messing about on 9GAG,’ said ‘EDerk, switching off the screen. ‘There is no escaping the house meeting.’ Willem-Jan pretended to gag but came along meekly. In MEREL DE GRAAF ILLUSTRATION: the kitchen Bianca was opening a family-sized bag of fries. ‘Where is Jonas?’ she asked, irritated. ‘Probably hugging trees with his Droef mates,’ grinned Willem-Jan. There were shrugs. Jonas always forgot appointments. ‘Then we’ll just start,’ said Bianca, automatically taking the lead. Willem-Jan whistled between his teeth as she handed out A4s: ‘Wow, an agenda. Do you have a hammer too?’ Whereupon Bianca removed a shoe and banged it on the table theatrically. ‘Order,’ she shouted hoarsely. ‘Point one is jobs around the house.’ ‘Yes, we urgently need to scrap them,’ said ‘Why?’ asked Bianca. do you even see the fucking washing up?’ Willem-Jan, and narrowly avoided the ‘chair’s ‘Well, there is always a lot of it left standing Bianca’s tone got louder and louder and red hammer’ flying past his head. and it stinks.’ spots appeared on her neck. ‘I think the division of tasks is quite fair,’ Vera ‘You left it there recently too, you know,’ said ‘Why are you being so mean?’ asked Elise started up. ‘Only people often do their jobs Bianca, folding her arms. Elise took no notice. calmly. too late.’ Accusing glances come Willem-Jan’s ‘And after washing up everyone should clean ‘Jesus, you really are intolerable,’ exploded way. the sink. It’s not much trouble, whereas it is a Bianca. I don’t want to hear any more of your ‘We need a punishment for doing your job too filthy job to do for someone else.’ goody-goody whining. I don’t want to see your late,’ said Elise. ‘Treating everyone to cake. ‘And here I was, imagining we were living in a goody-goody face again. I want you to…’ For Homemade of course.’ Bianca rolled her eyes. student house,’ said Bianca. ‘How stupid of one moment Bianca was quiet, breathing Nowadays she found everything Elise said me.’ Her rising voice made Willem-Jan look up heavily, searching for words. Then she burst intensely irritating. Especially since the joke from his smartphone. into tears and rushed off on one shoe. with the Spotted message went wrong and ‘Is something wrong?’ asked Elise. Everyone looked around in bafflement and Elise ended up with Robin, a cool KSV boy. ‘Yes there is something wrong. Why does Willem-Jan banged on the table with his hand: ‘We need to talk about the washing up too,’ everything always have to be done your way? ‘I declare the meeting closed.’ Nobody added Elise. ‘The…’ Whenever you are here you are reading. When laughed. Next time Willem-Jan oversleeps and misses his lecture. Idealis: all first-years housed by 1 May The completion of the new Rijn- by the target date. This year, Idealis’s rooms, and 1200 of them their chances of getting housing veste complex will eliminate the however, the student housing went on to study at the university. later. They are therefore on the waiting list of Wageningen’s agency will receive last-minute However, not every student ended ‘waiting list’, but are not really student housing agency at one reinforcement: the new Rijnveste up with a room from Idealis. ‘Some looking for a room. go. with 336 rooms will be delivered in students prefer to continue living Van Dijk: ‘We can see that the April. According to Jan Harkema, at home for a while, others sublet a demand from first-years for rooms It looks as though Idealis will Head of Housing of the student place somewhere else, or manage which are vacated declines in the achieve its objective of allotting a housing agency, the waiting list to get a room in another way,’ says course of the year. At some point room to all the first-years on its list would then be emptied: ‘Before 1 spokesperson Corina van Dijk. the response dries up completely before 1 May. Last year, it failed to May, we will have more than There are also first-year students and then we know that all the first- do this by a narrow margin, as enough to meet the demand.’ with an Idealis room who sign up years actively looking for a room dozens of those who signed up In 2012, almost 1500 first-year again straightaway in order to have already found one.’ LvdN were still waiting for a place to stay students signed up for one of chalk up waiting time to increase 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6SLQGG 28 >> student >> CULT New diseases What? Spillover: Scientists as heros: a common image in disaster movies such as Contagion animal infections (2011), in which a deadly pandemic sows panic and chaos. At risk to their own and the next human lives, researchers track down the source of the disease and develop a vaccine. pandemic But that is Hollywood. The book Spillover tells the true story of these scientists Who? David and the diseases they fi ght. Quammen This book is all about zoonoses: diseases that make the leap from animals to Cost? 17 dollar humans. It documents outbreaks of diseases such as SARS, Ebola and AIDS in great detail; it explains where they hide if they do not infect any humans, and why one causes a pandemic while another does not. The writer also follows the efforts of scientists to understand these threats. This involved him in helping to catch bats in Bangladesh, marching in a straight line through the African jungle, and tracing the fi rst journey of the HIV virus. The Netherlands is the setting for the story of Q fever, focusing on the recent outbreak in North Brabant and partly told by Hendrik-Jan Roest of Wageningen UR. Spillover is a stunning book. Scientifi cally sound and full of stories – most of them straight from the horse’s mouth. Readers should be prepared for quite a dose of pessimism and threat. But there is a more cheerful message in the book as well. Just like their Hollywood counterparts, real scientists are constantly trying to fi gure out how to arm us against the Next Big One. RR >> THE WORKS BANANA POISON IN COSTA RICA Who? Ellard van Eekelen What? MSc student of Biology specializing in Marine Biology Where? Instituto Regional de Estudios de Sustancia Tóxicas (IRET), Heredia, Costa Rica For the fi rst month in Costa Rica I ate rice and beans three times a day. I soon got fed up with that, as I did with the social isolation of my situation. I was very homesick for family and friends, and for all the conveniences of life in Holland. Heredia does not have an international club and there are hardly any expatriates. The culture shock was too much so I threw myself into my research. For my research I checked the rivers and national parks for signs of pollution with the chemical pesticides used on the banana plantations. I carried out a biodiversity analysis, which means recording all the there. For a land not much bigger than the Netherlands, you get a whole aquatic fauna in the river. I took samples and identifi ed species. I came bunch of ecosystems there: dry beaches, savannah, cloud forests, across beetle larvae, for instance, and even a freshwater bull shark. volcanoes, urban areas, fruit plantations, tropical forests with river After analysing the river on several points I concluded that the national systems and the humid Caribbean. Such a varied range of habitats gives parks are polluted with pesticides. And that the effect goes all the way to a lot of diversity in animal life as well. When we were working in the the sea. It is quite impressive that this study is being used to change the jungle we were once yelled at by howler monkeys, and in the canal legislation on permitted amounts of pesticide. systems we came across a sloth, tortoises and iguanas. And I saw a This experience abroad taught me that I enjoy my subject enough to tapir, four species of monkey, toucans, the quetzal and a whole load of keep happy in a situation like that. My studies gave me a lot of energy colibris. I went snorkelling too, with stingrays, barracudas and reef and I got on well with my colleagues. sharks. It is cool to see all those wild animals. The zoo seems very fake Costa Rica is very varied, which is the big reason for biologists to go after you’ve seen them in the wild. Suzanne Overbeek RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6SLQGG service << 29 in memoriam wish his family, Leonie and his friends strength with their immense loss. Niccolo Meriggi (thesis supervisor) and Chair Group Development Eco- nomics, Hanna Gooren (study advi- sor) and Maria Smetsers (program- me director) parties The best parties according to Wageningen Uitgaans Promotie. Check www.wageningenup.nl for all parties. Meeuwes Koops MEANWHILE IN... << After a severe accident in Decem- Thursday, 14 March, 22.30 ber Meeuwes Koops, MSc student KSV FRANCISCUS: OVERDOSE International Development Studies, PAINT PARTY Meanwhile in... Portugal passed away on February 23rd. KSV will be opening its doors (from News headline: ‘Portugal is in the worst recession since 1975.’ In Meeuwes was moved by and one 22.30 to 2.00) for an entirely new other words: Portugal is in crisis. Unemployment stands at 17.6 with the elements of nature. He kind of party in Wageningen. This percent, the economy shrunk 3.2 percent last year, pensions and enjoyed sports, the outdoors and colourful party promises to make a salaries are being cut. The government predicts a 2 percent freedom. As a student he was acti- splash with hundreds of litres of contraction this year. vely involved in Argo, amongst blacklight paint! Make sure you others as a board member and com- wear white, paint-resistant clothes Commenting on the news: Alexandra Ginja and Inês Lopes, petitive rower. His strong spirit to to prevent disappointment. You master students in Food Technology. take things in his stride characteri- can come and party as you have zsed him. never done before for only three Alexandra: ‘We have heard so much about the crisis already, we’re Having completed the BSc Interna- euros (student card mandatory)! are fed up with it. The more we talk about it, the more power it tional Development Studies, Meeu- Happy Hour from 23.00 to 24.00. gets. We really want to look to the future. Still it is affecting our wes continued with his Master’s. He generation in a big way. People my age have to rely on their started preparing his MSc thesis Thursday, 21 March, 23.00 parents for a much longer time. I am not sure if I can still afford with the Development Economics CERES: AID 2013 “THEME to go to university next year for example.’ chair group to investigate the cau- PRESENTATION PARTY” sality relation between shocks, dif- The 2013 AID Committee is putting Inês: ‘Because it is very difficult to get a job, a lot of young people ferent measures of market integra- on a party at Ceres, with music are moving to countries like Brasil, Angola and Mozambique tion and household livelihoods by ranging from modern hits and pop because they can’t find a job at home. Also people normally get combining economic theory with music to drum ’n bass, dubstep their own house after college when they start work, but these days spatial analysis. Meeuwes had and electro, for the presentation of they stay at home even though they don’t want to. You can tell excellent ideas and was a conta- its theme. The logo, the colours that people have lowered their standards: they don’t expect a giously enthusiastic student with and of course the theme for the huge house and a nice car.’ great potential and endowed with 2013 AID will be announced in the creativity and pragmatism. course of the evening! Doors close Alexandra: ‘The good thing is we are getting more creative and After his thesis Meeuwes was plan- at 3.00. Admission €2.50 (student active, we have to. Our culture is very protective. You should call ning an internship in Uganda. He card mandatory). your mother every day, and mine worries a lot when I go out in the looked forward to working on a rain on a bike. Living in Wageningen I have learned to trust notoriously challenging project that Tuesday, 26 March, 22.00 myself more and take action to solve my own problems. This is ‘spoke to his imagination’. He had a DE BONGERD: SWU THYMOS what is happening in my country too. We were used to going with strong will, always looking for “GOING FOR GOLD” the flow, but now we have to create opportunities. Our country something meaningful and not wil- Thymos is organizing a party to ce- has a lot to offer, great quality wine, food, cork, fabrics and clean ling to compromise for second lebrate its anniversary! So put on energy. We are more than just Cristiano Ronaldo.’ bests. Meeuwes was energetic and your speediest gold suit and go for full of life, a dreamer determined to that gold medal! You can take part Inês: ‘Unemployed people start up small companies, being fulfil his dreams. The passion he beforehand in the Beer Games, to entrepreneurs. And Fado, our typical Portuguese music, is put into everything would have include a beer run, a beer relay, immensely popular among young people. It plays a big role in our brought him exactly where he wan- beer dodgeball and flunkyball. You national identity, and last year it was declared a Unesco ted in life. can register a team of four people patrimony. Fado singer Mariza is famous all over the world, and With great sadness we say goodbye for only €8.00 per team. The Beer has moved audiences as far as China. It makes me feel proud and to our student. We will remember Games starts at 21.00. Doors for it gives us hope for the future.’ him as the gentle and special per- the party open at 22.00. Free ad- son he was. We will miss him and mission to the party. 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6S LQGG 30 >> service We gratulate Congrats Wageningen University with your 95th with 95-year existence anniversary! The Board of directors and staff from Ricoh Netherlands congratulates Wageningen University with its 95th anniversary. congratulates congratulates Wageningen University Wageningen University and wishes her with its a Sunny Future! 95-year anniversary GVO drukkers & vormgevers B.V. | Ponsen & Looijen feliciteert Wageningen University & Research Centre met haar 95ste Dies Natalis GVO drukkers & vormgevers B.V. | Ponsen en Looijen congratulates Wageningen University & Research Centre on its 95th Dies Natalis Idealis would like to congratulate www.proefschriften.nl | www.phd-thesis.nl Wageningen University on its 95th anniversary. We look forward to continuing our efforts in the coming years, together with the university, to help make the university town of Wageningen a good place to live, study and enjoy. congratulates Wageningen University with its Idealis Duivendaal 1, Wageningen 95-year anniversary T (0317) 42 61 61 www.idealis.nl RESOURCE — 14 March 2013 (5(6S LQGG service << 31 Wageningen UR zoekt: PhD in Bio-Organic Surface Chemistry AFSG Organische Chemie, Wageningen Vacaturenummer AFSG-ORC-0026 PhD in Organic Surface Chemistry AFSG Organische Chemie, Wageningen Vacaturenummer AFSG-ORC-0027 Full Professor Information Technology BC Corporate HR, Wageningen Vacaturenummer WU-2013-HL002 PhD reverse breeding and complex trait mapping approaches PSG Erfelijkheidsleer, Wageningen Vacaturenummer PSG-PPH-0015 Post-doctoral researcher SSG AE&P, Wageningen Vacaturenummer SSG-AEP-0007 Food and Nutrition Security Expert SSG CDI, Wageningen Vacaturenummer SSG-CDI-0018 PHD position: the role of social media hypes and controversies in sustainability governance SSG Communicatiewetenschap, Wageningen Vacaturenummer SSG-COM-0013 MediaCenter Rotterdam. Van huis uit drukker, inmiddels een organisatie die het hele communicatietraject beheerst. Alles onder één dak. Met als filosofie: press print play. Drie woorden jazzinwageningen.nl die staan voor wat en hoe we het doen. Communicatie is één groot spel dat we samen met u willen spelen. We zetten de lijnen uit, adviseren, organiseren, regisse- ren. Altijd in nauwe betrokkenheid. En met maar één doel: het realiseren van uw communicatiedoelstellingen. Want alleen dan 28|03|13 stappen er aan het eind van het spel twee winnaars van het veld. www.mediacenterrotterdam.nl morris kliphuis hoorn | timon koomen gitaar | remco menting drums | Kapok newest discovery of Kytopia (Kyteman recordingstudio) Impulse, Wageningen Campus | do 28 mrt 20.30u | € 15,-(students € 10,-) Kaarten te koop aan de zaal en op www.jazzinwageningen.nl 14 March 2013 — RESOURCE (5(6S LQGG >>TYPICAL DUTCH ILLUSTRATION: HENK VAN RUITENBEEK HENK VAN ILLUSTRATION: Polite handshake My fi rst handshake in The Netherlands happened when my supervisor welcomed me as a new member of his lab. ‘Wow, he is a gentleman’, I thought, but it was a very hard handshake indeed. I felt a little bit strange but soon relieved, and I thought it was just his style. But shortly afterwards, I found it was a normal phenomenon here and it seems that Dutch people want to show their power through hard hand-shaking. One of my colleagues even told me that she found her ring not a circle any more just because too many people shook her hand powerfully at a scientifi c conference. If you can win the When I discussed it with my friends, they warned me not to shake hands in this way when I come back to China. They also studied here for a long time, so some of their actions are now in Dutch trial of strength the style even if they do not notice it. They felt surprised when their family members laughed at them Dutch will like you for being ‘impolite’ when they returned home. They realized staring into people’s eyes and powerfully shaking people’s hands is improper, especially towards the elderly or ladies. In China, a handshake should be symbolic and sometimes you just need to gently shake four fi ngers because some ladies do not want to show you their palms. So, just save your energy and show your tough side to all your Dutch friends only. If you can win the trial of strength they will like you. Yue Lu, a Chinese PhD student in the Microbiology Lab Do you have a nice anecdote about your experience of going Dutch? Send it in! Describe an encounter with Dutch culture in detail and comment on it briefl y. 300 words max. Send it to [email protected] and earn fi fty euro and Dutch candy. (5(6S LQGG