How can we ensure sustainable and productive agriculture and horticulture that can feed the world? The Master's programme in Crop Biotechnology and Engineering offers part of the answer to this big question. “The programme focuses on a social and economic need,” says Kumar Saurabh Singh (Maastricht University). “We are going to train technical professionals who can develop solutions for sustainable food production and who can support a strong agricultural industry.”
Radboud University and Maastricht University are training the agrifood professionals of the future in Venlo
Sustainable food production cannot happen without innovation. To train the agricultural professionals of the future, who are both biologically and technically skilled, the Master's programme in Crop Biotechnology and Engineering will start in September. In Venlo, on the Brightlands campus: in the heart of one of Europe's largest agricultural and horticultural areas. And also conveniently located between Radboud University and Maastricht University, which are combining their knowledge and expertise in this programme.
Turn your hand to all kinds of challenges
The Master's programme will be interdisciplinary. In other words, as a student, you will be able to turn your hand to all kinds of challenges. This is necessary, because the agricultural and food sector is in desperate need of people who have knowledge of biology and sustainability, but also of technology and biotechnology. Roven Rommel Fuentes (Radboud University): 'We train students to become professionals who can work throughout the entire innovation chain. From plant cultivation and breeding to biotechnology to better protect crops against diseases and pests. Whether you have a more biological or technical background, your programme will teach you to combine your areas of expertise. And that's not all, because you will learn about biology, bioinformatics, nutrition and metabolism, chemistry, genetics, crop cultivation, greenhouse technology – and also how AI, for example, can play an important role in the agriculture and horticulture of the future.”
Future Farming and AI
That is also why Radboud University and Maastricht University are collaborating, says Kumar: 'We are combining our expertise in this programme and at this location. Radboud University has expertise in plant physiology, genetics and genome engineering. Maastricht University has a wealth of engineering expertise and has been present at the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo for some time. For example, with the Brightlands Future Farming Institute research facility: a greenhouse complex with the latest technologies in the field of agriculture and sustainability.
There is more to come in June 2026: Maastricht University's Department of Advanced Computing Sciences is opening a new robotics lab at Brightlands Venlo, also focused on biotechnology. “Robotics systems are indispensable in education and research in the field of crop biotechnology and engineering.”
Complementary educational approach
The two universities complement each other not only in terms of content, but also in terms of educational approach: Maastricht has a lot of experience with problem-based learning, Nijmegen with team-based learning, in which students work together a lot. Maastricht is also a strongly international university, which is convenient because both universities expect a lot of international interest in this master's programme. After all, sustainable food production is a global issue.
Collaborating with companies
The programme is also relevant for the Netherlands and the south-east of the country. Kumar: “We are located on the Brightlands campus in the middle of a large horticultural region. There are around 70 companies in the agricultural and food sector in our immediate vicinity. We will also collaborate with them in our education and research, in the form of internships, but also other knowledge exchange, such as guest lectures. We can learn a lot from each other and have a lot to offer each other.”
Brightlands Venlo as a student campus
After several open days in Maastricht, Nijmegen and Venlo, it is clear that there is an interest in the Master's programme in Crop Biotechnology and Engineering. For the first year, which starts in September 2026, the universities hope to enroll a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 40 students.
At the same time, Maastricht University's Bachelor's programme in Sustainable Bioscience will also start on the same campus. Venlo is making preparations to ensure that Brightlands Greenport is ready for the university students: student accommodation and sports facilities will be provided. A study is also being conducted into other facilities for students, such as a supermarket, food hub and study rooms, as well as better public transport connections to and from the city centre.
Would you like to know more about the Master's programme in Crop Biotechnology and Engineering? Then please come to a Master's Open Day
Open Day Maastricht: 28 February
Radboud University Open Day: 7 March
Contact information
Meer weten? Bekijk alle informatie over de Master Crop Biotechnology and Engineering.
- Theme
- Sustainability, Innovation
