The 2018 ELLS conference was also held in Wageningen. Photo Guy Ackermans The annual ELLS conference, which stands for Euroleague for Life Sciences, is a network of universities within the domains of agriculture, nutrition, environment and other life sciences. The conference is to take place in Wageningen on Friday, 22 November and Saturday, 23 November. Students will be able to present their research during the event.
ELLS project leader Mirjam Troost and master’s student Geo-Information Science Maaike Uijttenboogaard (23), who contributes to organising the conference as a student assistant, explain:
‘It is actually two conferences in one event. The first starts on Thursday. That is when representatives of the universities gather to discuss innovations in tertiary education, life-long learning and new summer schools and student challenges.’ The student conference, where students present their bachelor’s or master’s research, begins on Friday. ‘A science conference is a place where scientists meet, present their research, ask each other questions, gain knowledge and exchange ideas. That is precisely what we do here. It is a great introduction to the real work for those aiming for a career as a scientist.’
Uijttenboogaard explains that the majority of the students will present a master’s thesis. ‘This applies to some 60 per cent of all participants. Another twenty per cent are bachelor students, and the remaining twenty per cent are PhD students.’ Moreover, most of the organisation of the conference is done by students. ‘Two students from each university in the network help. For example, in facilitating the presentations, introductory remarks, chairing sessions or distributing awards.’
Accommodation
Uijttenboogaard has been busy preparing for the conference since May. ‘We are currently busy arranging accommodation. Many participants are unable to afford a hotel, so we rented whatever was available. There is room for 47 students in small units on the Wielerbaan Camping; 64 students can stay at Hoekelum farm, and another 75 can stay at Natuurvriendenhuis De Bosbeek. The camping offers students bicycles they can borrow so that everyone can come to the campus.’ A call has gone out to the student council party VeSte and various student associations, asking them to call on student houses to offer rooms for a small fee.
Want to know more about the students’ presentations? Registration for the ELLS conference is open until Monday, 11 November, at 09.00 hrs.
