Alumni Stories

Read here the personal stories of Wageningen University & Research graduates.

Kees on a wheat field in Ukraine. A big machine is harvesting the wheat.

From Wageningen to Ukraine: farming with vision

Highlight

Kees Huizinga, a Wageningen-based agricultural technologist, built an agricultural empire in Ukraine. He is a proud farmer, father, and fighter for European integration. War, ideals, and innovation merge in his life's work.

"I love building a business that is good for employees, landlords, the environment and the state."

Read Kees' story

All Alumni Stories (5)

A man working in his smithy, that is located in an arch-shaped cellar. In the foreground, an anvil and machine are placed. In the background, the man working with fire.
Testimonial

From land development technician to craftsman: how WUR alumnus Lucas Janssen started his own smithy

The story of Lucas Janssen, who started his own forge.

Alumnus Derk te Bokkel is sinds 2023 directievoorzitter bij Royal IHC, een high tech systems bedrijf gespecialiseerd in bagger- en offshoretechnologie en baggerschepen.
Testimonial

Derk te Bokkel, from farmer’s grandson to CEO at a leading international maritime technology company

The story of Derk te Bokkel, from farmer's grandson to CEO

Loet en Ivo in Schotland
Testimonial

From Lecture hall to love affair, a Valentine's story from Wageningen, this time Loet and Ivo tell how love blossomed

How love blossomed between Ivo and Lot in Wageningen.

Testimonial

From first-generation student to Agri-Food Pioneer: the inspiring journey of Isnawati Hidayah

Indonesian alumna works as a researcher on food security

Gerda Brilleman (links) en Saskia van Gend (rechts)
Testimonial

Alumna Gerda Brilleman has been volunteering since 2016, serving as a board member of Alumnikring Noord

The story of Gerda, board member of Alumnikring Noord

Jorge Chavez-Tafur smiling for the camera. Plants are in the background.
Testimonial

Alumnus Jorge Chavez-Tafur: ‘Wageningen holds a leading position in agriculture development’

The story of Jorge, Knowledge and Learning specialist

General public
Reinier van den Berg posing in front of a camera. He is sitting on a picknick table.
Testimonial

Reinier van den Berg’s childhood dream came true: he became a weatherman at RTL, but after 35 years, it was time for something new

The testimonial of Reinier, meteorologist, speaker, writer

Didi Qian portrait picture. She is standing in front of tomatos with some christmas lights.
Testimonial

Alumna Didi Qian: 'In Wageningen, I learned to combine theory and practice'

Chinese alumna stays in Wageningen for hightech horticulture

General public
Mariana Santos die haar certifcaat ontvangt. Ze schudt meet de man die het haar overhandigt.
Testimonial

Alumna Mariana Santos-Silva, and 'The Pasteurization of the Netherlands'

Enterprising alumna combines science and an impactful company

Pádraic Flood in farm investigating some potato roots and taking a picture of them.
Testimonial

Alumnus Pádraic Flood, founder of Aardaia: ‘Aardaker has the potential to become a protein potato’

Plant scientist starts sustainable company with forgotten crops

Alumna Anna Samwel in a forest in winter smiling to the camera with a dog on the bottom right and a another person behind her further away also smiling to the camera
Testimonial

Anna Samwel about her life project, Ecovillage in Georgia, and her commitment to the climate

WUR-alumna builds an Eco-village after internship in Georgia.

Wendy Cevallos smiling for the camera. She is standing in an orchard.
Testimonial

Alumna Wendy Cevallos: ‘I wanted to make the world a better place’

International alumna builds sustainable life in Wageningen

Marcia Bodero portrait photo, she is smiling to the camera. She is wearing red glasses.
Testimonial

Alumna Marcia Bodero, assessor Ctgb: ‘I will always be different’

Chilean alumna works in Wageningen

Janse with a suit on a stage talking in a microphone. In the background, a man holds up a playing card. The background of the stage is black.
Testimonial

Janse Heijn became a professional magician after obtaining two masters at WUR

Story of Janse, who became a magician.

A young man is kneeling in a field. He is looking focused into a big camera that is supported by a tripod. The sky behind him is blue.
Testimonial

Jeffrey van Houten became cameraman and photographer after studying at WUR

The story of Jeffrey: Cameraman and photographer.

Roosmarijn Knol presents the NOS news in front of a green screen
Testimonial

Roosmarijn Knol, from hardworking student to weather presenter on Dutch television

Roosmarijn Knol: From Soil & Water student to NOS presenter

Portrait of Edgar Suarez Garcia
Testimonial

Alumnus Edgar Suarez Garcia, founder of Revyve: I feel good in this country

Edgar Suarez García: research with impact

Testimonial

Marion Bloemendal volunteers at the International Wageningen Alumni Chapter Belgium

Marion Bloemendal, volunteer at Intl. Wageningen Alumni Belgium

Willie Smits with an orangutan on his shoulder
Testimonial

Willie Smits, a Dutchman who became Indonesian but still feels like a WUR alumnus

Willie Smits became Indonesian and feels like a WUR alumnus

WUR Alumni Community

As a WUR alumnus, you are part of a large global Wageningen network. Whether you are staying in the Netherlands or starting your career abroad, there is a variety of (inter)national communities you can join.

Alumni Community

Alumni Videos

In the ‘From WUR to Work’ series of videos, our alumni show what their daily work looks like.

From WUR to Work
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