University of Groningen

The University of Groningen (abbreviated as UG;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukrant.nl/nieuws/rug-wordt-joedzjie |title=Rug wordt 'joedzjie |publisher=Universiteitskrant|access-date=19 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427055819/http://www.ukrant.nl/nieuws/rug-wordt-joedzjie |archive-date=27 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> , abbreviated as RUG) is a public research university of more than 30,000 students in the city of Groningen in the Netherlands. Founded in 1614, the university is the second oldest in the country (after Leiden) and one of the most traditional and prestigious universities in the Netherlands. The University of Groningen has eleven faculties, nine graduate schools, 27 research centres and institutes, and more than 175-degree programmes. The university's alumni and faculty include Johann Bernoulli, Aletta Jacobs, four Nobel Prize winners, nine Spinoza Prize winners, one Stevin Prize winner, various members of the Dutch royal family, several politicians, the first president of the European Central Bank, and a secretary general of NATO. History The institution was founded as a college in 1614 in an initiative taken by the Regional Assembly of the city of Groningen and the Ommelanden, or surrounding region. There were four faculties – Theology, Law, Medicine, and Philosophy.