WUR Campus Goes Platinum!
By Samir Mammadov
WUR has something exciting to celebrate!!!
Did you know that Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is officially one of the healthiest university campuses in the world?
WUR has been awarded the Platinum Healthy Campus Label by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). It is the highest level a university can achieve in the programme. But what exactly is the Healthy Campus Label, and what does this achievement say about WUR? In this blog, we’ll explore what the label means, how WUR reached this milestone, and what it says about the well-being on campus.
What is FISU’s Healthy Campus Programme?
The International University Sports Federation (FISU) is an organisation that supports student sport and well-being around the world. You might know FISU as the organisation behind international university sports competitions, but that’s not all they do. They also encourage universities to create healthier places to study and work through their Healthy Campus Programme. The idea is simple: university life should support your well-being just as much as your academic growth.
Launched in 2020, the programme encourages universities to create environments that support the overall well-being of everyone on campus. Instead of focusing only on fitness, the programme takes a much broader view of what it means to be healthy. Universities are assessed across seven key areas:
- Physical activity and sport
- Mental health
- Nutrition
- Sustainability
- Social responsibility
- Disease prevention
- Healthy campus management
Based on how well they perform, universities receive one of five recognition levels: Certified, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. As you might have guessed, Platinum is the highest recognition.
WUR’s Platinum Achievement
If you’ve been studying at WUR for a while, you might already see what makes our campus a healthy place.
Maybe you cycle to campus every day. Maybe you join a sports class at De Bongerd, meet people through a student association, or enjoy a lunch made with local ingredients. Or you take a break by walking around the campus ponds before going back to the library. These things are not just random. They are part of how WUR creates a campus where students can feel good and stay healthy.
WUR focuses on health and well-being in many ways. From sports facilities and mental health support to sustainability, healthy food options, green spaces, and activities that bring people together.
The Platinum Healthy Campus Label shows that these efforts are recognised internationally. It is also a reminder that WUR cares about more than just education and research. It wants students and staff to have a campus where they can feel supported, connected, and happy.
Main Takeaway
Starting university in a new country can be exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. There are assignments, deadlines, finding your way around, making friends, and, of course, getting used to the unpredictable Dutch weather. That is why having a campus that supports your well-being really matters.
Whether it is joining a sports class, taking part in a well-being activity, relaxing in the green spaces around campus, or simply knowing that support is available when you need it, these small things make student life a little easier and more enjoyable.
When I first arrived at WUR, I was worried about building a social life in a new country. Joining activities on campus helped me meet people and feel part of the community (Sam, WUR MSc Student)
A lot of students around me speak about how perfect the WUR campus is. I personally became very comfortable living in Wageningen because of what the WUR has to offer. By joining sports activities, I met a lot of people who eventually became my friends. It also became my comfort zone.
The Platinum label is more than just an award. It represents the campus environment that many of us experience every day. It is a reminder to make the most of the opportunities around us, connect with others, and take care of ourselves along the way.
If you found this topic, you can also find a short article about it in the Resource journal. And, check out our Instagram story about this achievement!
Cheers,
Samir
