Maastricht University (UM) began with a small medical faculty and just fifty students. Though initially rooted in medicine, the university quickly expanded its scope (Visit Maastricht, n.d.).
Harmen Tiddens, the first rector magnificus of the medical faculty, addressed students on the importance of educational innovation (Maastricht UMC+, n.d.).
This growth was not only structural but also educational. The foundation in Problem-Based Learning (PBL), first introduced in medical training, helped shape the university’s broader pedagogical direction (Maastricht University, n.d.-b). Even today, collaboration with the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+) shows how UM’s medical origins continue to influence its identity (Maastricht University, 2024, p. 8).
A clear example of this innovative spirit is the Global Studies bachelor’s programme, launched in 2020. Drawing on the expertise of six different faculties, the programme integrates perspectives from politics, law, sociology, and economics to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and migration. Having twice received the designation of top-rated programme in Keuzegids, Global Studies highlights UM’s ability to develop forward-thinking curricula aligned with international trends (Maastricht University, n.d.-c; Maastricht University. 2022). The growth in educational offerings reflects UM’s evolution. The diversification after its transformation illustrates how UM has maintained its early innovative character while expanding to meet new educational and societal demands.
Multidisciplinary Thinking Approach in Global Studies (Maastricht University, n.d.-c)
Ultimately, The shift from Rijksuniversiteit Limburg to Maastricht University reflects an ongoing focus on innovation, interdisciplinarity, and societal relevance (studentum.nl, n.d.).