UG history book now available

President of the Board of the University Jouke de Vries has received the first copy of The University of Groningen in the World: A Concise History. The book briefly outlines the more than four centuries since the University of Groningen was founded, with a more in-depth look at the period from 1945 until the coronavirus pandemic. The book focuses on the international aspects of University life. When the UG was founded in 1614, there were already a striking number of foreign students and professors. Over the last few decades, the influx of internationals has shown a strong increase, more than ever before. This English-language publication is mainly focused towards international students and staff members.

Two authors

The book was written by two authors: Klaas van Berkel and Guus Termeer. Van Berkel has described the period until 1914 – the onset of the First World War. As Rudolf Agricola professor in History at the University of Groningen, he specializes in the history of the University. He is currently working on a three-volume reference work on this topic and has already published the first two volumes. Termeer discusses the second volume, from 1914 until the present. As a former editor of the UKrant newspaper and, later on, the head programme maker of Studium Generale Groningen, he is ideally suited to provide an overview of the latest developments.

International focus

A medium-sized capital of a northern province may seem like a somewhat unlikely place for an internationally reputable university. The historical works agree that this development is frankly nothing short of miraculous. In addition to the highlights of the University’s history (including two Nobel prizes), attention is also paid to less glorious moments, such as almost being disbanded twice in the nineteenth century and the German occupation. The book was commissioned by the Board of the University in order to provide interested parties from the Netherlands and abroad with more information about the UG’s rich history. The publication of The University of Groningen in the World: A Concise History meets this demand. The English-language text is well written and the publication is richly illustrated.

More information

Klaas van Berkel and Guus Termeer, The University of Groningen in the World: A Concise History.

The book is published by Pallas Publications and will be available from 10 June to purchase from all good bookshops and the I Shop, Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat 19.

Photo's: Silvio Zangarini