Universiteit Leiden

My experience as rector 'The first 500 years are the hardest'

'The first 500 years are the hardest'

Contribution: Paul van der Heijden (Emeritus Professor of International Labour Law)

My experience as Rector Magnificus and the university's 'ambassador' outside the Netherlands has taught me that Leiden University is known worldwide and is seen as a reliable, high-quality institution. It is comparable to a solid, global brand. The university has also become a familiar face in The Hague and gained success with the international community. And remember: 'the first 500 years of any institution are always the most difficult!' As Prince Philip put it during his tenure as Chancellor of Cambridge University.

University eights

 

Rowing with Olympic medalists University eights

Classes in the Old Observatory

 

Classes in the Old Observatory

Academic Historical Museum

 

A collection to cherish Academic Historical Museum

Elzevier printing press

 

My own family Elzevier printing press

 

My window to freedom Praesidium Libertatis

Hortus botanicus

 

From young visitor to prefect Hortus botanicus

My first aha moment

 

Reading your sources My first aha moment

The FooBar

 

Memorable encounters The FooBar

Hopping rabbits

 

View from the campus Hopping rabbits

Niels Stensen

 

Leiden’s first geology star Niels Stensen

Queen Beatrix’s honorary degree

 

Éducation permanente Queen Beatrix’s honorary degree

At the heart of the city

 

At the heart of the city

The true sensation of Leiden

 

Intangible but ever-present The true sensation of Leiden

Guided tour of the Academy Building

 

A real-life fairy tale Guided tour of the Academy Building

 

From sub-faculty... to city hall

Canal Watch (De Gracht­wacht)

 

Canal Watch (De Gracht­wacht)

The cortège

 

In academic gown The cortège

A new  Cleveringa

 

A new Cleveringa

Development opportunities

 

Job hopper Development opportunities

Camaraderie

 

Thriving community Camaraderie

City criminologist

 

City criminologist

The Cleveringa meetings

 

The Cleveringa meetings

Knowledge centre

 

Children and anxiety Knowledge centre

 

That ‘my’ Leiden University feeling

Lipsius

 

Unlovely but loved Lipsius

Academic ceremonies

 

Party! Academic ceremonies

Christiaan Huygens

 

ChatGPT Christiaan Huygens