SEPTEMBER 26 TO
OCTOBER 5 2025
OCTOBER 5 2025
SEPTEMBER 26 TO
OCTOBER 5 2025
OCTOBER 5 2025
The preparations for Utrecht Science Week are in full swing. From Friday 27 September to Sunday 6 October, the Utrecht Science Park will be a big open house. By now, almost all programme elements are announced and the programme with timetable is live. More programme elements will follow in the coming weeks. Take a look, register for the events you want to attend and don’t miss a thing!
In cooperation with various partners of the Utrecht Science Park, a varied programme has been created, with appealing lectures, interactive workshops, guided tours and high-profile interviews, around science in the Utrecht Science Park, focusing on the themes ‘health’ and ‘sustainability’.
For example, we kick off the Utrecht Science Week on Friday 27 September with the Utrecht Science Lecture by Professor Dr Peter Luijten. After the weekend, we look forward, among other events, to the Dag van de Duurzaamheid (Day of Sustainability), organised by HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. On Wednesday evening, there is an Utrecht Science Week pub quiz for students, obviously focusing on science, the Utrecht Science Park and the city of Utrecht. On Thursday, visitors can discover what the healthcare and laboratories of the future look like, during Genmab’s Healthcare and Laboratories of the Future. We will close the Utrecht Science Week with a component for younger visitors, as that is the Weekend van de Wetenschap (Weekend of Science).
But there is more, so check out the full programme here.
Thursday 3 October is Genmab’s ‘Healthcare and Laboratories of the Future’, as part of the Utrecht Science Week. Explore the cutting-edge innovations transforming healthcare and laboratory sciences.
Plenary Session (16:00 -16:45)
Engage with leaders from industry, healthcare, and academia in a dynamic panel discussion. Discover how automation, digital transformation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing labs and healthcare, and learn how educational institutions are evolving to train the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.
Presenters and panelists from the biotech industry (Genmab), healthcare and education will discuss several topics, such as:
Health of the Future Fair (16:45 – 18:30)
Network with representatives from leading companies, healthcare institutions, and educational bodies. Discover career opportunities, showcase and experience innovations, and discuss the future of life sciences over drinks and snacks.
Who Should Attend?
Join the event
The event will take place at the Accelerator at the Utrecht Science Park (Uppsalalaan 17) from 15:30 to 18:30. More information about the programme and registration will follow soon.
On Tuesday 1 October, the Dag van de Duurzaamheid will be organised by HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht as part of Utrecht Science Week. A great programme has been created, with plenary parts, workshops, a Green Market and a festive closing on the sustainability square.
Worldwide, the urgency is felt to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and growing inequality. Higher education is also increasingly focusing on this. The Dag van de Duurzaamheid is there to look together at how sustainable ambitions can be shaped, with an eye to the future.
This year’s theme is: a social and fair sustainability transition. With the overarching question: how do we work together towards a sustainable and fair society in which everyone can participate? We will discuss this and come up with concrete applications related to the theme.
The Programme
This year’s programme consists of the following parts:
10.30-12.00 – Plenary programme; including:
12.00-13.00 – Lunch at the Green Market for all visitors
13.00-14.30 – Workshop round (workshops tp be completed)
14.30-16.00 – Networking at Green Market
The Dag van de Duurzaamheid takes place at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, at Padualaan 101 in the main lecture hall.
Green Market
The Green Market is a sustainable market organised by Green Office HU. Find new clothing items at the clothing swap, whip up a smoothie, get items repaired and learn more about sustainable education offerings. The Green Market is at HU Square Padualaan 101 and is free to enter between 11.30-16.00.
Will you be there?
Mark Tuesday 1 October in your agenda. More information about the workshops and registration will follow soon.
From Friday 27 September till Sunday 6 October is the Utrecht Science Week. More than a week of an open house at the Utrecht Science Park for everyone interested in (applied) science. In close cooperation with various partners of the Utrecht Science Park, a varied and relevant programme in the field of sustainability and healthy living is being developed. For different audiences, there will be lots of interesting things to experience.
Betweter Festival on Friday 27 september
On Friday 27 September, we kick off the Utrecht Science Week with a science lecture, more on that later, and the Betweter Festival in Tivoli Vredenburg. The Betweter Festival is a mix of art and science. You will enjoy various talks, interviews, film, music and live scientific research. The first programme elements have already been announced, including lectures and experiments by researchers from Utrecht University and the UMC Utrecht, among others.
Weekend van de Wetenschap on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October
The Weekend van de Wetenschap is taking place across the country, in different cities. From library to companies, and from university to science park. Everyone opens their doors to give visitors a unique look behind the scenes in the world of science and technology. Everyone is welcome, because science is of course for everyone, but the focus lies on families with children aged between 8 and 14.
This year, we are actively working together with various partners at the Utrecht Science Park to make science more accessible to the younger target group during the Weekend van de Wetenschap. Eight organisations at the Utrecht Science Park have created cool activities to introduce visitors to science in various dimensions.
Participating organisations
Utrecht University (and Botanical Gardens), Hubrecht Institute, Westerdijk Instituut, UMC Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Princess Máxima Center, KNMI and HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.
KNMI will open the doors on Saturday 5 October and the other organisations on Sunday 6 October.
Check the website (in Dutch) for more information about the locations: https://weekendvandewetenschap.nl/organisaties/2024/
Want to know more?
More details about the programme will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Over a week-long (scientific) open house!
From Friday 27 September to Sunday 6 October the fourth edition of Utrecht Science Week will take place and the Utrecht Science Park will open its doors wide for everyone interested in (applied) science.
At the Utrecht Science Park, the largest science park in the Netherlands, over 55,000 students and 30,000 employees work together to develop and apply groundbreaking science and solutions in the fields of life sciences, health and sustainability.
The Utrecht Science Week likes to highlight the relevance and results of this collaboration. For inspiration, to make even more of a difference together. And to strengthen and expand existing cooperation and discover new, promising coalitions and alliances.
In close cooperation with various partners located in the Utrecht Science Park, a varied and relevant programme in the field of sustainability and healthy living is being developed. Events such as the Betweterfestival, the Day of Sustainability and the Weekend of Science are also part of this programme.
Different programme components for various audiences
Utrecht Science Week offers a rich and varied programme with appealing lectures, interactive workshops, guided tours and high-profile interviews, around (applied) science at the Utrecht Science Park.
There are programme elements for employees, students and professionals in the field of life sciences, healthcare and sustainability. For the wider public and younger audiences, there is also a lot of interesting things to experience.
This year, we are actively working together with various partners at the Utrecht Science Park to make science more accessible to the younger target group during the Weekend van de Wetenschap. Weekend van de Wetenschap is on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October and takes place across the country, in different cities. From library to company, and from university to science park. Everyone opens their doors, so visitors get a unique look behind the scenes in the world of science and technology. Everyone is welcome, because science is of course for everyone, but the focus is on families with children aged between 8 and 14. Are you already curious about what happens during the Weekend of Science? Take a look at the website.
More coming soon
Behind the scenes, we are working hard to put together a great programme. More information about the programme and (free) registration will follow soon. Keep an eye on the website and sign up for the Utrecht Science Park newsletter to stay informed.
Take another look at the aftermovie of Utrecht Science Week 2023 to get a taste of the atmosphere.
A varied programme on sustainability and healthy living will be held from 27 September to 6 October.
The programme includes lectures, debates, tours and creative competitions to solve relevant issues in the field.
Events such as the Betweter Festival, the Weekend van de Wetenschap and the Dag van de Duurzaamheid are also part of the programme.
All this will take place at various locations in the Utrecht Science Park.
It promises to be a vibrant and, above all, educational week,
be sure to reserve some time in your calendar!
From the hospital of the future to saving our drinking water, from the dialogue on animal husbandry to the inauguration of Genmab’s immunotherapy and from the hackathon on making the laboratories at the Utrecht Science Park more sustainable to the final of the Sustainable City Challenge: the third edition of the Utrecht Science Week was a great success. The Utrecht Science Park spent a week introducing visitors to all that the Science Park has to offer. All partners involved presented a multifaceted programme.
This third edition of the Utrecht Science Week focused on the power of innovation and cooperation aimed at a healthy, sustainable society. The highly varied program included lectures, debates, tours and creative competitions for devising solutions to issues surrounding sustainability and healthy living. Established events such as the Betweter Festival, the Day of Sustainability and the Weekend of Science were also part of the extensive offerings. The activities took place at various locations in the Utrecht Science Park and at several locations in the city of Utrecht.
Collaboration partners
” The third edition of Utrecht Science Week was a great success and again shows the strong commitment of our partners. More than 8,000 visitors experienced the dynamics of the Utrecht Science Park for a week,” says Jan Henk van der Velden, managing director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation.
The Utrecht Science Week program was put together in close cooperation with the partners: Hogeschool Utrecht, Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Prinses Máxima Centrum, Genmab, Hubrecht Institute and RIVM.
Award ceremony Sustainable City Challenge
After an exciting final with pitches from various student teams on the themes of social wellbeing, healthy living, climate adaptation and active mobility, Mayor Sharon Dijksma announced the winner of the public prize: the community spaces for the new housing estate Cartesius.
Mayor Dijksma had another first: she had just been appointed a member of the Local Government Advisory Group of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. This advisory group is to establish more effective cooperation between all levels of government, with the goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the advisory group, Dijksma will deal with the theme of Future Generations. She could not have chosen a better stage for this honorable news.
About Utrecht Science Week
At the Utrecht Science Park, the largest science park in the Netherlands, over 55,000 students and 30,000 employees of renowned knowledge institutions, medical centers and companies work intensively together to develop and apply groundbreaking science and solutions in the fields of healthcare, life sciences and sustainability. The Utrecht Science Week puts the relevance and results in the spotlight.
Photos and retrospective
View photos here; aftermovies will be available here soon.
UMC Utrecht brings together the worlds of research, care, education and technology to improve healthcare. With the programme The Hospital of the Future on Monday evening 2 October, Utrecht Science Week offers all interested parties the opportunity to come and learn about results of these unique collaborations.
Come and see the latest developments in robotic surgery and imaging physiology.
Robotic surgery and augmented reality
Professor Jelle Ruurda and his researchers will give short presentations to demonstrate the innovative possibilities with robotic surgery and augmented reality in the operating theatre. For example, UMC Utrecht uses robotic surgery in operations on patients with oesophageal cancer, liver cancer or prostate cancer. With the robot, surgery can be performed very precisely, allowing the patient to recover faster and reducing the risk of complications. Robotic surgery offers the possibility of integrating MRI or CT images taken before surgery with live images of the operation. These images can help recognise anatomical structures and identify tissue to be removed during surgery.
Imaging physiology
Professor Dennis Klomp and his researchers will give short demonstrations to explain the innovative possibilities with MRI technology in patient care. By imaging organs and tissues, doctors can make increasingly precise diagnoses or predict the effectiveness of therapy. The combination with AI techniques also speeds up the procedure, allowing doctors and researchers to treat their patients earlier and more effectively.
Programme
After a brief explanation by both professors, the participants will go on an excursion around UMC Utrecht in small groups led by expert guides and visit fascinating innovations that will influence the patient care of the future. There will be ample opportunity to meet the doctors and researchers; they will be happy to answer any questions.
The hospital of the future
Monday evening 2 October
Walk-in with sandwiches from 18.00, start programme 18.30, end 21.30
Location: UMC Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100
You can register here!
14 July 2023
The Utrecht Science Week will programme the Final of the Sustainable City Challenge on Friday 6 October: which student team will walk away with the grand prize?
During the Sustainable City Challenge, students are challenged to design solutions for a more sustainable Utrecht. Together with partners including Utrecht Natuurlijk, CABlab, Municipality of Utrecht and Province of Utrecht, teams of students from intermediate vocational, higher vocational and university level will work on sustainable challenges to make Utrecht healthier, more liveable and greener.
The challenge is an intensive five-day pressure cooker, in which interdisciplinary teams work at different locations in the city (Overvecht, Cartesius and Utrecht Science Park) and are coached in developing their solution. Participants learn to design solutions using design thinking and learn a lot about collaboration, presentation and co-creation with stakeholders.
The themes during the challenge are mobility, exercise, healthy urban living, green living environments and liveable neighbourhoods.
Participation in the challenge is open to students from ROC Midden Nederland, Hogeschool Utrecht, Utrecht University, MBO Utrecht, MBO Amersfoort, Nimeto, Marnix Academy, Grafisch Lyceum Utrecht and Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht.
During the finals, the teams present their solutions to clients, who are keen for the teams to further develop promising ideas into a follow-up project. Mayor Sharon Dijksma will announce the winners. Attending the Finale is open to all interested parties. Register here!
Prior to the Finale (start 16.30 hrs), you can visit the exhibition where the teams exhibited their solutions. They will be happy to discuss them!
More information about the Sustainable City Challenge 2023 can be found on the website.
Final Sustainable City Challenge 2023
Friday 6 October, 16.30 – 17.30 hrs.
Accelerator, Uppsalalaan 17
Speakers
Mayor Sharon Dijksma
Utrecht Science Week programmes on Monday 2 October: healthy and sustainable food, agenda-setting by the Institute for Preventive Health (i4PH) of the Knowledge Alliance TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrecht.
Join us for an inspiring session on creating a healthy and sustainable food system, and driving change in society. The panelists, led by moderator Roel Vermeulen, will present future scenarios that envision a transformed world and provide strategies to bring it to life.
Discover the challenges and opportunities associated with building a sustainable food system, while exploring the broader implications of societal system change. Engage in dynamic discussions and gain insights into innovative ideas that pave the way for a better future.
Be part of this transformative event! Together, let’s shape a healthier, more sustainable world.
About the i4PH
The i4PH brings together the unique expertise of four prominent institutions in the Netherlands: Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and the University Medical Center Utrecht. This collaboration is unique in its approach to preventive health, which includes the integration of technology, behaviour, exposome, nutrition and biology.
The Institute is part of the strategic Alliance TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrecht (EWUU); check www.ewuu.nl.
“Healthy and sustainable food: envision future scenarios to drive change in society”
Monday 2 October 2023 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Utrecht Science Park Foundation, Heidelberglaan 11, 3584 CS Utrecht
Moderator
Roel Vermeulen, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology and Exposome Science (UU)
