The Heads of Mission to the Netherlands visited Utrecht Science Park

The programme was set up as an introduction to Utrecht as Europe’s most competitive region, as declared by the European Union in the three-yearly Regional Competitiveness Index (2022), and a showcase of Utrecht Region’s excellence in Life Sciences & Health and Educational Technology. It included visits to the redeveloped Central Station area, the TivoliVredenburg music complex, the Centraal Museum and the Utrecht Science Park.

The Utrecht Science Park Foundation had the honor to welcome the ambassadors. Jan Henk van der Velden (managing-director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation) introduced the ambassadors to the story of the Utrecht Science Park; the biggest science park of the Netherlands.

Many of the Utrecht Science Park’s unique organizations opened their doors. In groups, the ambassadors visited several of the unique organizations that showcased their excellence in life sciences and health, and where groundbreaking research is being done to find solutions for a healthy and sustainable society.

The tour included the following organizations:

• Hubrecht Institute
• Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht (RMCU)
• HUB Organoids
• Major Incident Hospital (UMC Utrecht, Central Military Hospital)
• Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC, Utrecht University)
• EdTech Centre (Utrecht University)
• Center for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation (CPBT)
• Merus
• MR-Linac (UMC Utrecht)
• Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

The ambassadors were impressed by the unique concentration of knowledge at the Utrecht Science Park.  

"The visit was an eye opener and served as the first step in possible cooperation between the Utrecht Science Park and institutions of Higher Learning in Ghana. We will remain engaged to explore possible areas of cooperation."

Mr. Francis Danti Kotia – ambassador of Ghana to the Netherlands

"Our visit was fantastic, and we were impressed by the strength of scientific investigation in The Netherlands. We identified areas where we can pursue joint collaboration with Chilean universities".

Mr. Jaime Moscoso Valenzuela – ambassador of Chile to the Netherlands