Dutch take nibble at Big Apple

The University of Amsterdam is to establish a centre in New York to enhance academic links between the two cities.

For the past ten years, the university has been working closely with New York University in student and faculty exchange as well as developing academic links in law, economics, art history and film and television studies.

A Dutch architect has drawn up plans to transform a former office block in University Square into a centre comprising lecture halls, conference rooms and ten apartments intended for use by visiting academics and students.

Frank Ligtvoet, a former cultural attache to New York, has been put in charge of the project, which is estimated to be costing about $4 million (£2.8 million).

The Amsterdam House is intended as a cultural centre as well as a showcase for Dutch language and culture. Though housed on the NYUcampus, the centre will be able to foster links with other American universities.