From Athenaeum Illustre to University
In January 1632 two internationally acclaimed scientists, Caspar Barlaeus and Gerardus Vossius , held their inaugural speech in the Athenaeum Illustre - the illustrious school - which had its seat in the 14th-century Agnietenkapel. This school is commonly regarded as the predecessor of the University of Amsterdam or UvA.
In 1815 Athenaeum Illustre was legally acknowledged as institute of higher education. In 1877, the Athenaeum was transformed in the municipal University van Amsterdam. The professors were appointed by the city council and the mayor presided the university administration. Nothing changed until 1961. In that year, Dutch national government took control of financial responsibility.
With a budget of €900 million, nearly 22000 students and roughly 5000 employees in 2003, the UvA is one of the major general universities in Europe. There are 7 faculties, which are: Humanities, Social sciences, Economy, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry.
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