Strong growth in employment Campuses and Science Parks in the Netherlands
Campuses and science parks of the Netherlands are essential for growth of jobs and new business. Innovations and innovative collaborations result in solutions that accelerate societal transitions. So says the research report published on 4 December by Buck Consultants International (BCI). The report shows that the Utrecht Science Park has also grown strongly in terms of employees and remains by far the largest science park in the Netherlands with more than 31,000 employees.
‘We also see the significant growth in jobs at the Utrecht Science Park, even despite the fact that for a long time growth was hindered by lack of lab space. Meanwhile, much more space is being created at Utrecht Science Park. Also at our satellite location Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven, a lot of good space will become available after the RIVM’s relocation. The same applies to Utrecht Science Park Zeist after the relocation of TNO. It is nice to see that Utrecht Science Park remains by far the biggest science park in the Netherlands due to its growth (see page 31 of the report). We see that Utrecht Science Park also has the most employees at knowledge institutions, and this on about 1.5 square kilometres of surface area (see page 30 of the report). In addition, we also see a strong growth of employment at research & development companies at Utrecht Science Park, namely +76% from 2018 to now. This is almost 3 times higher than the average employment growth in the Utrecht Municipality. This is partly due to the growth of Merus, GenDx and Genmab. The number of companies has also grown significantly at 64% from 2018,’ said Jan Henk van der Velden, managing director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation.
The report underlines the importance of continuing to invest in knowledge, innovation and thus in the development of science parks, such as the Utrecht Science Park, as a job engine for the city, region and country. Based on the environmental vision, the number of jobs in research & development companies (from vocational to academic level) at the Utrecht Science Park will increase by another 4,000 to 8,000 in the coming years.
See and download the research report (in Dutch)
Extra tram runs on special days
The tram runs regularly on weekends during FC Utrecht home games and during Open Days at Utrecht Science Park for Utrecht University (HU) and Utrecht University (UU). This ensures you can travel comfortably and quickly, even during peak hours.
UMC Utrecht & WKZ Foundation on shirts Men’s 1st team Kampong
Unique to the Hoofdklasse Hockey league: Kampong Men’s 1 will be sporting the UMC Utrecht & Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ) Foundation logo on their shirts this season. The club and foundation hope to further highlight the importance of exercise for a healthy society. While a company name often prominently features, this season’s Kampong Men’s 1 shirt features the UMC Utrecht & WKZ Foundation logo. This is the first time a charity has been so visible in Hoofdklasse Hockey.
Biotech companies at Utrecht Science Park Genmab and Merus join forces
The Danish-Dutch biotech company Genmab is acquiring its Dutch counterpart Merus. Both companies have their main facilities next to each other at Utrecht Science Park. Genmab is paying $8 billion (€6.8 billion) for its neighbor, thereby acquiring a promising experimental drug for head and neck cancer and colorectal cancer.
Utrecht Science Week anniversary edition a great success
The fifth edition of Utrecht Science Week was a resounding success! With more programs, locations, speakers, and visitors than ever before, we look back on an exciting week. The variety of programs and the diverse audience were wonderful to witness. This way, the groundbreaking research here at Utrecht Science Park isn’t kept behind closed doors, but is given the opportunity to inspire others.