Mission
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ – free thinkers for people, society and planet
In our academic education, research and valorisation, we’re guided by our values. We take responsibility for people, society and planet. Studying at VU Amsterdam means not only acquiring specialist knowledge but also broadening your horizons. We are a community of free thinkers who value different perspectives and continually seek to learn from them. What unites us is our commitment to diversity, meaning and humanity, and our drive to carry out groundbreaking research.
Core values
Open, personal and responsible – these are VU Amsterdam’s core values, embraced by our entire community. They are part of our DNA, rooted in our history. When we reflect on who we are, what defines us as VU Amsterdam, and which values should guide us through both good times and bad, these are the ones we choose.
Open
We recognise the value of diversity in disciplines, cultures, perspectives and worldviews
VU Amsterdam is a meeting place. We interact with one another on the basis of trust. We take an active interest in disciplines, cultures, perspectives and worldviews that differ from those we’re familiar with. This can lead to fresh insights, sharper thinking and a broader understanding in both education and research.
Personal
We show care and respect for every individual in our community
Every member of the university community is valued and has the opportunity to flourish. You feel this when you study or work with us: in the personal attention students receive, in the passion with which lecturers teach, in the support offered by the organisation, in recognising and rewarding diverse talent, and in the commitment of colleagues. We help one another in our quest for what is good and true.
Responsible
We are engaged with people and society, and we act in a spirit of service
We align our education, research and valorisation with societal themes. We encourage our students and staff to contribute to a better world. We’re accountable for our behaviour. We take responsibility for what we do, and we challenge one another to reflect and take action.
Vision
VU Amsterdam seeks and nurtures societal dialogue, is a leader in research, and educates global citizens who contribute to a better world in both word and deed.
Our vision for 2035 is the point on the horizon that we’re aiming for over the years ahead, setting the direction in which we – as the VU Amsterdam community – wish to move over the longer term. The first steps towards this goal will be taken in the coming strategic period, 2026–2030.