In this column, Daniel Wigboldus looks back on a special anniversary of Radboud University and looks ahead to cooperation in our region.
It was a major and special occasion on 17 October 1923. The Roman Catholic University in Nijmegen officially opened its doors. Keizer Karelplein was absolutely packed.
Shortly afterwards, all manner of religious orders and Catholic (monastic) communities established themselves around the university. They wanted to be in the neighbourhood. This showed just how great a university’s appeal is. A university has an impact on its surroundings, and the surroundings have an impact on the university.
That this is still topical was palpable during our centenary celebrations, which the university celebrated on the same square in October. Looking back on a century of history and looking ahead to tomorrow made it clear how important a university is for the region.
During the centenary celebrations, Nijmegen’s mayor, Mr Bruls, congratulated not only Radboud University but also the city itself. As he put it: “Nijmegen would not be the city it is today without the university and student life. In 2023, we are an innovative city of knowledge. A hundred years ago, that was by no means a given.”
With that, he summed up a piece of our story and underlined our function. Radboud University and Radboudumc have become networks closely linked to the region.
Interaction with the municipality of Nijmegen and the wider Lifeport region forms an important part of our policy. This collaboration is not so much about economic interests, but primarily about a shared sense of responsibility for the issues at hand.
For example, are there enough teachers in primary and secondary schools? Is healthcare well organised? Are we operating sustainably in our region? If not, how can we resolve this together? What can we learn from one another?
The interaction within The Economic Board with companies, governments and other knowledge institutions is of great importance here. The region benefits from this. An environment can flourish because it has a good university full of young (and some older) talent and a university can flourish when it is embedded in a lively environment. We need each other. That certainly also applies to our relationship with hbo and mbo institutions, which I value highly.
Together, we face major challenges, including in healthcare, in education, in technology, in dealing with each other and with the world. These are turbulent times in several areas. Cooperation is more necessary than ever. Let us lead by example in our region.
Daniël Wigboldus
Chair of the Executive Board of Radboud University and member of The Economic Board
This article also appeared in *Het Ondenemersbelang*.
