Organizing Institutes
ECVP 2008 is organized by the Helmholtz Institute (an interdisciplinairy institute located at several Universities in the Netherlands)and is hosted by Utrecht University. Read about the Helmholtz Instute and Utrecht University).
Helmholtz Institute
Mission. The scientific mission of the Helmholtz Institute is to study perception and motor behaviour on various levels of complexity (cells, organs and organism). Presently, it is generally accepted that perception and motor behaviour are manifestations of the same information processing system and should be studied together. In order to study perception successfully, a multi-disciplinary approach is essential in which concepts and methods from neurophysiology, biophysics, psychophysics and psychology are integrated.
Excellent scientists with a variety of scientific backgrounds (biology, mathematics, medicine, physics, physiology, and others) work together within the institute to optimize exchange of ideas, knowledge and methods. In addition, the Institute provides a fruitful atmosphere for the development of young, promising scientists who are encouraged to create and realise innovative research plans.Background - History. The Helmholtz Institute has its roots in the Utrecht Biophysics Institute (UBI). The UBI was established in 1990 and its research program comprised the study of biological autonomous systems interacting with their physical environment. It consisted of research groups from the faculties of Physics, Biology and Medicine of Utrecht University (UU). The TNO/TM Institute at Soesterberg was an associated member. The UBI expanded in 1993 by including a group from the faculty of Informatics and two other associated groups, one from the Erasmus University Rotterdam (Faculty of Medicine) and the other from the University of Amsterdam (Faculty of Informatics). Together these groups established a new institute, the Helmholtz Institute for Autonomous Systems Research. In 1994, this Institute was accredited as a national research school by the KNAW.
Changes in mission and politics. Developments in the Institute itself as well as at the levels of local and national research policies have led to changes in the scientific mission and composition of the Institute. One of the prime goals of the Institute was the stimulation of scientific research and education at the intersections of physics, medicine, biology, mathematics and informatics of autonomous systems. However, interaction between the groups, especially at the level of the PhD students, remained below an acceptable level. Moreover, the composition of the Institute was changed as a result of university or faculty policies. The University of Amsterdam did not allow the department of Computer Science to become a full member of the Institute. The faculty of Medicine (UU) urged a few small research groups to reconsider their research goals in favour of research strategies of the faculty. A further reason to reconsider the Institute was the initiative of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science to select a number of top research schools. The wide range in research interests divided the original Institute in 1997 into two streams. One stream concentrated its research and education on biological systems. The other stream focussed on artificial systems and established the new Image Sciences Institute and its research school ImagO. That school received the KNAW accreditation in 1999.
Helmholtz Research School and Helmholtz Institute. The groups working on biological systems found new partners in the department of Psychology of Utrecht University (faculty of Social Sciences), the departments of Neuroscience and Audiology of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (faculty of Medicine), the department of Experimental Audiology of the Free University Amsterdam and the department of Clinical and Experimental Audiology of the University of Amsterdam. Together they established a new research school, the Helmholtz Research School. The school received KNAW accreditation in 2000. The groups at Utrecht University that participate in the Helmholtz School continue their cooperation in a revived research institute, the present Helmholtz Institute.
(source: Helmholtz Instute)
History. Utrecht University has its roots in a seminary for priests and young noblemen, founded in the 7th century by Archbishop Willibrord. This religious school gradually grew into an academy for administrators and lawyers. From the 12th to the 17th centuries, Utrecht was the cultural and intellectual centre of the northern part of the Low Countries. In 1634, Utrecht City Council founded the Utrecht Illustre School, which was given University status two years later. In the 19th century, Utrecht University played a prominent role in the field of physics, which was then flourishing in the Netherlands. Eminent scientists such as Professors Buys Ballot and Donders introduced the teaching laboratory as a place for their students to carry out practicals. To this day, Utrecht University remains proud of its reputation as one of Europe’s leading research universities.
Research. Research carried out at Utrecht University spans almost every academic field, enabling it to rapidly address new developments in academia and society. As a result, the University is at the forefront of many interdisciplinary advances. Most of Utrecht University’s research is carried out within research schools and institutes. The University also works closely with other universities, institutes, government organisations and interest groups, and enters into strategic alliances with the business community. Research is carried out in an international context, and the University coordinates a number of European networks and facilities in the fields of biomolecular chemistry, language and speech technology, and climate research. The excellence of the University’s research is reflected in its results in international university league tables and recent research assessments. In the recently published list of the world’s best universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University for Higher Education, Utrecht University was ranked no. 41 in the world, no. 2 in mainland Europe and no. 1 in the Netherlands.
Academic programmes. With 8 faculties, 3,500 academic staff, 47 Bachelor’s degree programmes and 175 Master’s degree programmes (88 of which are taught in English), Utrecht University offers courses in a huge range of disciplines. In terms of student numbers, it is the largest university in the Netherlands, with students coming from both the Netherlands and abroad. Every year, more than 1,000 international students from all over the world come to Utrecht to follow academic programmes taught in English. Research plays a fundamental role in the University’s degree programmes. Students are taught by dedicated lecturers who are experts in their field. Through teaching in small groups and effective personal supervision, the University ensures that students are able to develop their talents. For excellent students, the University also provides a number of Honours programmes. Research training programmes are offered by six graduate schools that cover broad disciplinary areas and bring together academics and students in a common research community.
(source: corporate brochure Universiteit Utrecht 2006)