Leiden University in The Hague praised by L’Express as one of Europe’s ‘schools of power’
Leiden University is considered a ‘school of power’, and the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) has been described as ‘the diamond of Leiden’. The French weekly magazine L’Express praises the university in an article highlighting one of Europe’s leading higher education institutions.
The article, which was published last summer, featured Leiden University as part of its series on Europe’s foremost ‘schools of power’ — universities and institutes that train the continent’s future leaders in politics, diplomacy, and governance. Previous editions of this series have highlighted institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Sciences Po in Paris, the College of Europe in Bruges, and Bocconi University in Milan.
Educating leaders such as Mark Rutte and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
The article highlighted Leiden as the Netherlands’ oldest and most prestigious university, renowned for producing generations of decision-makers who have played a pivotal role in European and international affairs. Among them are Mark Rutte, current NATO Secretary General and former Dutch Prime Minister, two of his NATO predecessors – Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Joseph Luns – as well as EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra.
Strong reputation of Leiden’s faculty in The Hague
A particular focus of the L’Express piece is the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) in The Hague, and especially the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA). The magazine describes ISGA as 'the diamond of Leiden', underlining its strong reputation for bridging academic knowledge and real-world policymaking. Students at ISGA work on projects directly linked to pressing international security challenges, often in collaboration with organisations such as NATO, Europol, and the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
Joachim Koops: ‘Comparable to a think tank in many ways’
Professor Joachim Koops, Professor Security at ISGA, is quoted in the article: ‘Our programmes continuously bridge academic knowledge and the making of public policy, in many ways like a think tank.’ He also emphasises ISGA’s close ties to decision-makers.
Rector Magnificus Hester Bijl also reflects on Leiden’s enduring philosophy: ‘Freedom and critical thinking remain at the centre of our philosophy. We value multidisciplinary teaching and recruit professors embedded in the European and international ecosystem to train the leaders of tomorrow.’
Unique location: surrounded by organisations such as Europol and the International Criminal Court
The L’Express feature also highlights ISGA’s unique location in The Hague, a hub for international organisations such as Europol, the International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice, and describes how this setting enables unparalleled opportunities for students and researchers to interact with policymakers and practitioners.
The recognition in L’Express further underscores Leiden University’s and ISGA’s unique approach and wider societal impact, offering students unparalleled education opportunities and career paths at the heart of European and global governance.