Groningen- the City of Talent
Groningen has been known as a centre for talent, free-thinking and new ideas for many centuries- having been the economic, academic and political powerhouse of the Northern Netherlands since the 13th Century. Unrivalled in its openness to the world, Groningen is home to three leading institutes of learning and research; Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG), the Hanzehogeschool of Applied Sciences (Hanze) and one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG). Over the last few years, the gemeente Groningen has been carefully cultivating knowledge sharing and interaction between these institutions, making Groningen a hub of ideas and thinking in Europe.
Thanks to various efforts by local authorities, Groningen has exceptional expertise in various sectors, including IT, energy, healthy ageing and creative output. Whilst these industries may sound disparate, they all have knowledge and fresh thinking at their core. The UMCG is home to ERIBA- the European institutions for healthy ageing- whilst the infrastructure for nurturing talent in Groningen is strong and well established.
City of Groningen
Groningen- the City of Living
In the ‘Perceptions Survey on Quality of Life in 79 European Cities’, Groningen was delighted to be recognised as having the 2nd best quality of life in Europe, behind only Zurich. A green, lively and pleasant place to live, the urban landscape is full of interesting architecture from across the centuries- including some of the most daring modern architecture in Europe.
Named as the home of cycling, more than two-thirds of journeys in Groningen are completed by bicycle, which helps give Groningen some of the best air quality of any developed city. It is also the youngest city in the Netherlands, which helps keep up the flow of fresh ideas and talent.
The Eurosonic festival in Groningen
Groningen- the International City
The knowledge institutions that are the backbone of Groningen’s talent have worked closely with the gemeente in creating overseas links, whilst attracting a large number of international people to the city. Both the UMCG and Hanze have created ties to the Chinese city of Tianjin, whilst school partnership programmes have been set up with various schools in the Russian city of Murmansk. Closer to home, cooperation with the German cities of Oldenburg, Bremen and Hamburg has been a runaway success. 20% of RuG students come from overseas (bringing with them new ideas!) and in 2013 over 13,000 international people were economically active in Groningen.
Open, welcoming and cosmopolitan, Groningen has a number of institutions to facilitate both the life and work of international professionals and businesses. The International Welcome Centre North (IWCN) is a one-stop-shop for integration into Groninger life, whilst the World Trade Centre forges forward in establishing new business relations.
University campus Groningen
Groningen- the Future
In the future, the city of Groningen will continue to produce and attract talent from across the word. New innovations in IT, healthy ageing, energy and creative services will continue to spring forth, whilst maintaining the wonderful quality of life the city enjoys.
If you think like we do, get in touch and we’d be delighted to collaborate!
University campus Groningen