Professor Dick de Ridder, an expert in Bioinformatics, has been appointed the new Dean of Education at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) as of 1 September. With a background in computer science, he joined WUR in 2013, drawn by the opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers in the field of biology.

On the collaboration within EWUU, Dick says: “This alliance offers unique opportunities to connect disciplines and collaborate on innovative solutions to societal challenges.”

Education has played a significant role in his career for many years. He contributed to the development of new courses, served on programme committees, and became a member of the Board of Education in 2021. “That’s when I truly discovered how unique and diverse our educational programmes are,” he says. With his passion for education and innovation, Dick is committed to contributing to the continued development and enhancement of education at WUR.

As Dean, Dick will focus on stimulating innovation within educational programmes — for example in the field of AI — and on improving the alignment of education for students, PhD candidates, and professionals.

For Dick, fostering a sense of community is essential: “A university is more than a place for transferring knowledge; it is a place where people come together to learn from and with each other. That is something we should cherish and strengthen.”