Utrecht Science Park summer café dedicated to 900 million years of plant evolution
On a sunny day in July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at the Botanical Gardens, the largest academic botanical garden in the Netherlands. This edition focused on the evolution of plants.
After a warm welcome by Fenna Hanraets and Jan Henk van der Velden, attendees were given an insight into the latest research and developments within the Botanical Gardens. The audience was taken into the story behind the plant world and the creation of a special new addition to the gardens: the Evolution Garden.
This new garden offers visitors a green time travel of no less than 900 million years. From the first simple Green algae to the more complex Flower Plants, the Evolution Garden shows how plants developed over the centuries and what role they played in the evolution of life on Earth. Visitors learned how and when certain plants originated and what their significance has been for the ecosystem.
The meeting not only offered inspiration and knowledge, but was also an opportunity to meet and strengthen the mutual connection within the Utrecht Science Park. The organisation looks back on a successful Summer Café, made possible in part by the hospitality of the Botanical Gardens and the commitment of the speakers and tour guides.
UMC Utrecht takes third surgical robot into use
UMC Utrecht has commissioned a third surgical robot. With the arrival of the latest generation, the Da Vinci 5, even more patients can be operated on with minimal stress. This leads to fewer complications and faster recovery. “Apart from the benefits for patients, the Da Vinci 5 also allows us to train even better,” says Jelle Ruurda, gastrointestinal surgeon and professor of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery. “At the touch of a button, colleagues can watch remotely, and even learn from previous operations. This way we share knowledge faster and more widely.” The hospital is thus building on a tradition of 25 years at the forefront of robotic surgery.
The HU ORM program is moving to the Utrecht Science Park.
The Entrepreneurship & Retail Management (ORM) program will relocate from Amersfoort to the Utrecht Science Park as of September 1, 2026. According to program manager Lisette Luijk (Institute for Marketing & Commerce), it is mainly about one thing: more connection.
Danny Sahtoe receives NVBMB prize
Danny Sahtoe has been awarded the prestigious NVBMB prize, a prize that gives recognition to the work of a highly talented young independent researcher in the field of biochemistry or molecular biology. The prize includes funding to organize a one-day symposium on a topic of choice. Danny Sahtoe is group leader at the Hubrecht Institute and Investigator at Oncode Institute.
Inspiring and connecting visit by the President of Estonia to Utrecht Science Park
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the President of Estonia, Mr. Alar Karis, together with his wife Sirje Karis, ambassador Mr. Paul Teesalu and a delegation from the Estonian Health Ecosystem, visited the Utrecht Science Park. During the visit, much knowledge was exchanged and valuable connections were made.