University of California President Janet Napolitano and the Netherlands Minister of Education, Culture and Science Jet Bussemaker met in Oakland on Thursday Photo: Heidi Alletzhauser.

University of California President Janet Napolitano and the Netherlands Minister of Education, Culture and Science Jet Bussemaker met in Oakland on Thursday and spoke about great societal challenges, diversity, immigration, and other topics.

During this meeting, representatives of the University of California and renowned Dutch research institutes signed two memorandums of understanding to tighten the close relationship between California and the Netherlands.

“The University of California welcomes the opportunity to strengthen scientific collaboration with researchers in the Netherlands who share our interest in exploring global issues, such as climate, environment, sustainability, food and agriculture,” said President Napolitano.

California and the Netherlands are two of the world’s leaders in education and science, and are committed to sharing best practices and working together through education and science to solve the world’s most pressing societal challenges, such as climate change, energy, food, and agriculture.

Mrs. Bussemaker and Ms. Napolitano also discussed the role of education in diversity and immigration — issues of great importance in the Netherlands as well as in California — and the need to keep higher education accessible for all segments of society.

Mrs. Bussemaker witnessed the signing by President Napolitano of an MOU with the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) on Energy and Sustainability Grand Challenges, and with Wageningen University on a University of California-wide student-exchange program. These agreements reinforce the commitment California and the Netherlands have to work jointly on global grand challenges.