Leiden second Dutch university in QS World University Rankings Leiden University has risen by one place in the annual QS World University Rankings and presently occupies 74th place. This is apparent from the list published by educational advice company QS on 10 September. Leiden is the second Dutch university in the rankings.  Read more

			Queen Máxima opens renovated tropical greenhouse at Leiden's Hortus On Wednesday 4 September, Queen Máxima opened the renovated tropical greenhouse complex of the Leiden Hortus Botanicus, an event that attracted wide public interest. Thanks to this renovation, the greenhouses are even better equipped for scientific research.  Read more

			Letters confiscated from Dutch ships now online More than a thousand 17th- and 18th-century Dutch letters from seized ships are now available on line. The letters are a gold mine for researchers wanting to study the everyday language used by men and women during this period.  Read more

			Opening of the Academic Year: ‘We need more daring and a clearer identity’ ‘The university has been taken for granted for too long. Leiden now has to put even more effort into strengthening its identity as an academic haven.’ These were the words of Henri Lenferink, Leiden’s Mayor, during the opening of the Academic Year on 2 September. Prince Constantijn advised students to ‘Dare to be bold and take risks.’  Read more

			UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon calls for diplomacy in Syria in his Freedom Lecture ‘Let us stop this fighting and let the dialogue begin. Any action that is taken should be guided by the United Nations Charter.’ These were the words of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, in his Freedom Lecture in the Leiden Pieterskerk.  Read more

			A journey for Leiden's international bachelor's students in Psychology Monday 2 September 2013 marked the start of a new international bachelor’s programme at Leiden University. The International Bachelor in Psychology (IBP) offers its students and the university countless possibilities and opportunities. Vice-Rector Simone Buitendijk: 'The International Bachelor in Psychology is a journey we’ll be taking together.'  Read more

	More news
		BSA more stringent from 1 September 2013
		Heritage Days: 'Power and Glory' at Leiden University
		Veni for climate change and human evolution
		ERC Starting Grants of 1.5 million euros for two Leiden researchers
		Neandertals made the first specialised bone tools in Europe
		Veni subsidies for 11 Leiden researchers

	Leiden through the eyes of... South African master’s student Emelia Schmidt: 'Nelson Mandela affects my daily life.'

	International students International students find their way around Leiden LUC starts the academic year at its new College Building: the Anna van Buerenplein Foreign student ambassadors share their enthusiasm for Leiden Launch of new Master of Laws - Advanced Studies programme: International Civil and Commercial Law Wednesday 2 October: LUC The Hague - Open Evening

	International staff 23 September - Introductory meeting for new staff New system to register research publications

	Leiden classics On the origins of the Hortus botanicus

			Coming events 14 September: Leiden's 'Nacht van Kunst en Kennis' 17 September: Lecture 'Who Owns the Past?' by Michael Herzfeld 18 September: Symposium on 'Chinese Art and Material Culture in a Global Context' 20 September: Workshop on 'African studies and the epistemological reflections on "two Africas"' 24 September: Inspiration lab on 'Creativity and sport' 27-28 September: Workshop on 'Intentional Language Change'

	Laureate Two Free Competition Grants for LUCL researchers

	Books The World of the Fullo. Work, Economy, and Society in Roman Italy, edited by Miko Flohr Labor Divided in the Postwar European Welfare State, by Dennie Oude Nijhuis  The Merovingian cemetry of Posterholt-Achterste Voorst, by Maaike de Haas and Frans Theuws Neolithisation of Northeastern Africa, edited by Noriyuki Shirai

	Blogs Leiden Law Blog: Exploiting shale gas: a risky gamble Leiden Psychology Blog: Gagaism: 'Applause' for the promotion of psychological well-being The Leidener: Discovering The Hague’s Museumnacht

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