Review day 1 | Sustainability
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Review day 2 | Health
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After movie

DAY 1
Looking back 14 October 2021: Sustainable living

Photographer: Seth Carnill

09:00 - 09:30

Opening Utrecht Science Week and interview with the famous ‘green growth’ economist Mariana Mazzucato
by Maarten Hajer and Henk Kummeling

09:30 - 09:45

Opening of the University of Applied Science Utrecht ‘Samen Duurzaam Doen’ Sustainability Day
by Frénk van der Linden, Tineke Zweed and Jan Henk van der Velden.

Opening of the Utrecht University Pathways to Sustainability Conference ‘Making Change Happen’
by Henk Kummeling

09:45 - 16:30
Continuation of the Utrecht University Pathways to Sustainability Conference ‘Making Change Happen’

With performances by theatre maker and Urban Astronaut Marjolijn van Heemstra, climate scientist and lead author of several IPCC reports Valerie Masson-Delmotte and Lynn Zebeda of Dr. Monk, a global network of young people working for a just, clean and beautiful world. In addition, there will be break-out sessions on the themes of Scientist and Activist, In Therapy with... Breukers and Godrie, Innovation based on Green Chemistry and Successful Collaborative Projects for Radical Innovation. More information...

10:00 - 14:45
Continuation of the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht ‘Samen Duurzaam Doen’ Sustainability Day

GroenLinks MEP Bas Eickhout, Professor of Socio-Economic Transitions Derk Loorbach and HU University of Applied Science Utrecht Executive Board member Wilma Scholte op Reimer will provide interactive sessions on the European Green Deal, sustainable transitions and applied research and practice-based education. In addition, there will be interviews with Tineke Zweed, Carolien van Hemel and Mieke Oostra focusing on smart mobility, a sustainable city and healthy living environment as well as workshops on mobility, circularity and energy transition. More information...

15:15 - 15:55

Sustainable Campus Challenge – Sustainable Living Final
Utrecht University, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and ROC Midden Nederland are committed to Challenge-Based Education: an educational concept in which interdisciplinary student teams and clients from professional practice collaborate within a short-term project to find innovative solutions to major social challenges in the region, such as sustainable and healthy living. These 'Challenges' are organised by the Challenge Alliance Utrecht, in which the City of Utrecht and the Economic Business Alliance are represented alongside these educational institutions. One of these Challenges is the Sustainable Campus Challenge. Today, the three finalists will be presenting their innovative solutions for a sustainably accessible, circular and energy-efficient campus. The audience will ultimately select the winner of the USW Talent Award – Sustainable Living.

15:55 - 16:10

Sustainable Campus Challenge – Sustainable Living Award Ceremony
with the Mayor of De Bilt Sjoerd Potters, Jan Henk van der Velden and Coen van den Braber.

16:10 - 16:15

Closing remarks
by Coen van den Braber.

University of Applied Science Utrecht ‘Samen Duurzaam Doen’ Sustainability Day

University of Applied Science Utrecht ‘Samen Duurzaam Doen’ Sustainability Day (with sign-interpreter)

Sustainable Campus Challenge – Sustainable Living

UU Pathways to Sustainability Conference 2021

DAY 2
Looking back 15 October 2021: Healthy living

Photographer: Seth Carnill

09:00 - 09:15

Opening
by discussion leader Hans Snijder, Jan Henk van der Velden and Peter Luijten

09:15 - 09:30

Interview ‘Healthy living: a prerequisite for viable future healthcare!’
Interview with Pauline Meurs by Hans Snijder about healthy living as the basis for accessible, high-level care for everyone.

09:35 - 10:20

Round table discussion ‘Everlasting life: the unprecedented future of our bodies’
By investing in healthy living from an early age, healthy old age is within everyone’s reach: but is that enough to reach the age of 120 comfortably? Nienke Bleijenberg, Linda van Laake, Jeroen Pasterkamp and Roel Vermeulen speak to Andrea Maier about healthy ageing, lifestyle, life goals, exercise and nutrition.

10:25 - 10:45

USP Talk ‘Robot The Beast’
The super-fast robot The Beast can process no less than 20,000 PCR tests in 24 hours and thus adds an extra dimension to the control of pandemics. Wouter de Laat and (name to follow) explain the groundbreaking role of the robot. The Beast is a Dutch invention developed by the Hubrecht Institute and biotech company Genmab.

10:45 - 11:15

Coffee Break

11:15 - 12:00

Round table discussion on ‘Rise of superbug threatens health of millions’
The growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a major potential threat to public health. Currently, some 25,000 people die as a result of antibiotic resistance in Europe every year. But there is hope. Marc Bonten, Suzan Rooijakkers and Jaap Wagenaar speak to the Ed Kuijper of the RIVM about the risks of the arrival of the superbug and about the necessity of One Health: one health for humans and animals.

12:05 - 12:25

USP Talk ‘ICAT: centre of expertise for personalised regenerative treatment’
Jos Malda highlights the significant value of the newly established Innovation Center for Advanced Therapies (ICAT) for the prevention and control of diseases. The ICAT aims to fast-track the availability of personalised regenerative treatments. These treatments are partly developed on the basis of immune cell, stem cell and organoid technology, in which Utrecht plays a pioneering role. The ICAT is a joint initiative of the Hubrecht Institute, the Princess Máxima Center, the University Medical Center Utrecht UMCU and Utrecht University.

12:25 - 13:15

Lunch break

13:15 - 13:40

Youth Debate ‘The Future of Healthcare’
Jitte Jennekens, Linda Peters, Tessa Sturkenboom and Thèron Vellema are (former) students with a broad interest in politics and social issues. They will be discussing their ideas, ideals and ambitions surrounding the theme of healthy living. What would they themselves tackle first as Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport? And where do their preferences lie in terms of how to achieve their goals: pure science and academia, applied research or a career in politics?

13:45 - 14:05

USP Talk ‘The Operating theatre of the future’
The University Medical Center Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children's Hospital and the Princess Máxima Center are jointly realising an operating theatre with a robotic arm and intra-operative MRI scanner. This will allow children with brain tumours to receive optimal treatment. The robot arm was purchased thanks in part to the world-famous nail varnish campaign of 2016 initiated by the then six-year-old Tijn at 3FM Serious Request. Eelco Hoving sets out a bright future for children who still have their whole lives ahead of them.

14:10 - 14:50

Round table discussion ‘Tinkering with humans: questions of ethics and social responsibility’
Artificial intelligence, big data, biobanks, generative medicine, tissue engineering, stem cell research, tinkering with DNA and reproductive technologies. Technological developments are moving fast and seem to be developing faster than the relevant ethics. Nienke de Graeff, Peter Joosten, Wouter Kollen, Helianthe Kort and Nick Ramsey discuss the moral frameworks regarding the dilemmas facing (applied) research. How far can we go in tinkering with man and where is the line between curing and improving?

14:50 - 15:15

Tea Break

15:15 - 15:55

Sustainable Campus Challenge – Healthy Living Final
Utrecht University, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and ROC Midden Nederland are committed to Challenge-Based Education: an educational concept in which interdisciplinary student teams and clients from professional practice collaborate within a short-term project to find innovative solutions to major social challenges in the region, such as sustainable and healthy living. These 'Challenges' are organised by the Challenge Alliance Utrecht, in which the City of Utrecht and the Economic Business Alliance are represented alongside these educational institutions. One of these Challenges is the Sustainable Campus Challenge. Today, the three finalists will present their innovative solutions for a healthy, liveable and social campus. The audience will ultimately choose the winner of the USW Talent Award - Healthy Living.

15:55 - 16:10

Sustainable Campus Challenge – Healthy Living Award Ceremony
with the King’s Commissioner Hans Oosters, Jan Henk van der Velden and Coen van den Braber.

16:10 - 16:15

Closing remarks
by Coen van den Braber

15:00 - 17:30

Life Science Facility Event

During the Utrecht Science Week on 15 October, the Utrecht Life Science facilities will present themselves at the Utrecht Life Sciences facility event. The event and promises to be a great opportunity to (re)present your research facility and meet stakeholders. Watch the event online at the Utrecht Science Week livestream or register to join live at Van Lier & Egginkzaal, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584CS Utrecht.

Healthy living theme day

► Opening
► Interview ‘Healthy living: a prerequisite for viable future healthcare!’
► Round table discussion ‘Everlasting life: the unprecedented future of our bodies’
► USP Talk ‘Robot The Beast’
► Round table discussion on ‘Rise of superbug threatens health of millions’
► USP Talk ‘ICAT: centre of expertise for personalised regenerative treatment’

► Youth Debate ‘The Future of Healthcare’
► USP Talk ‘The Operating theatre of the future’
► Round table discussion ‘Tinkering with humans: questions of ethics and social responsibility’

► Sustainable Campus Challenge – Healthy Living Final

Healthy living theme day (English)

► Sustainable Campus Challenge – Healthy Living Final

UU Life Sciences Facility Event

Speakers during the 2021 edition

Nienke Bleijenberg

Nienke Bleijenberg is a Professor in Proactive Elderly Care at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and is also affiliated with the Julius Center of the University Medical Center Utrecht. Her research focuses on the effectiveness and quality of care for elderly people with multiple chronic conditions.

Marc Bonten

Marc Bonten is a Professor of Medical Microbiology at Utrecht University, a Coordinator of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Scientific Director of the Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH) and a member of the Outbreak Management Team

Coen van den Braber

Coen van den Braber is a former honours student of Journalism at the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.

Gita Gallé

Gita Gallé is COO/CFO van het Prinses Máxima Centrum.

Nienke de Graeff

Nienke de Graeff is an Assistant Professor of Bioethics at the Julius Center of the University Medical Center Utrecht.

Maarten Hajer

Maarten Hajer is a Professor of Urban Futures at Utrecht University and former director of the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

Eelco Hoving

Eelco Hoving is a Professor of Oncological Paediatric Neurosurgery at the University Medical Center and the Clinical Director of Neuro Oncology at the Princess Máxima Center.

Jitte Jennekens

Jitte Jennekens is a Master's student of Regenerative Medicine & Technology at Utrecht University and the Student Minister of Healthy Living in the National Student Government.

Peter Joosten

Peter Joosten is a biohacker and future thinker and gives lectures and workshops on human enhancement and its impact on human society. He is also the author of the books ‘Biohacking’ and ‘Superhuman’.

Wouter Kollen

Wouter Kollen is a paediatric oncologist, specialising in stem cell transplantation and is the Clinical Director Quality of Life at the Princess Máxima Center.

Helianthe Kort

Helianthe Kort is a Professor of Technology for Care Innovations at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and a Professor of Building Health Environments for Future Users at TU Eindhoven.

Ed Kuijper

Ed Kuijper is currently the head of the Experimental Microbiology and the Reference Laboratory for Clostridium difficile at the Leiden University Medical Centre and the Centre for Infectious Disease Control of the National Institute of Public Health.

Henk Kummeling

Henk Kummeling has served as Utrecht University’s Rector Magnificus since 1 June 2018.

Linda van Laake

Linda van Laake is a cardiologist and member of the core team of the Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells area of focus of the University Medical Center Utrecht.

Wouter de Laat

Wouter de Laat is group leader at the Hubrecht Institute and Professor of Biomedical Genomics at the University Medical Center Utrecht.

Frénk van der Linden

Frénk van der Linden is a journalist who writes for publications such as the Volkskrant and presents the NTR radio programme ‘Kunststof’.

Peter Luijten

Peter Luijten is the Vice Dean of Utrecht Life Sciences at Utrecht University.

Andrea Maier

Andrea Maier is a Professor of Medicine (Gerontology) at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Professor of Ageing at VU University Amsterdam. She published the book 'Eeuwig Houdbaar' about the world of ageing and was a guest on the programme 'Zomergasten' in 2016.

Jos Malda

Jos Malda is Head of Research at the Department of Orthopaedics of the Utrecht University Medical Center and the Department of Equine Sciences of Utrecht University, and also leads the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility for biofabrication in translational regenerative medicine.

Mariana Mazzucato

Mariana Mazzucato is one of the leading economists in the field of 'green growth'. She is a Professor of Economics of Innovation & Public Value and is the Founding Director of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose Value at University College London.

Pauline Meurs

Pauline Meurs is a Professor of Health Care Governance at Erasmus University Rotterdam. She was previously a member of the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Research (WRR), Chair of the Council for Public Health and Society (Raad voor de Volksgezondheid en Samenleving) and a member of the Senate for the Labour Party (PvdA).

Hans Oosters

Hans Oosters has served as the King's Commissioner for the province of Utrecht since 1 February 2019.

Jeroen Pasterkamp

Jeroen Pasterkamp is a Professor of Translational Neuroscience at Utrecht University, Scientific Director at the UMC Utrecht Brain Center and Director of the MIND Facility for brain research.

Linda Peters

Linda Peters works for Young Health Hub and also works as a Healthy Living Environment Policy officer at the Province of Utrecht.

Sjoerd Potters

Sjoerd Potters is the Mayor of De Bilt, the municipality where Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven is located.

Nick Ramsey

Nick Ramsey is a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Utrecht University and conducts brain research with a focus on neurological disorders. Brain-Computer Interfacing implants allows people whose brain-muscle connection has been severed to move again

Suzan Rooijakkers

Suzan Rooijakkers is a Professor of Microbiology at Utrecht University Medical Center.

Hans Snijder

Hans Snijder is the Director of Media & Communication at the Princess Máxima Center and was previously Editor-in-Chief of the Leeuwarder Courant.

Tessa Sturkenboom

Tessa Sturkenboom is a Master's student of Philosophy & Governance at Utrecht University and party leader of the Utrecht Student & Starter party

Jan Henk van der Velden

Jan Henk van der Velden is the Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation.

Thèron Vellema

Thèron Vellema is an honours student in Health at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.

Roel Vermeulen

Roel Vermeulen is a Professor of Environmental Epidemiology and Exposome Science at Utrecht University, the director of the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences and one of the initiators of the Healthy Urban Living Data and Knowledge Hub.

Jaap Wagenaar

Jaap Wagenaar is a Professor of Clinical Infectiology at Utrecht University.

Tineke Zweed

Tineke Zweed is a member of the Executive Board of HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.

Review day 1 | Sustainability Click here

Review day 2 | Health Click here