Utrecht Science Week 2025: Sustainability Day 30 September – Connecting with Nature
From Friday 26th September to Sunday 5th October 2025, the Utrecht Science Week is happening. One of the highlights of the week is the Sustainability Day (Dag van de Duurzaamheid), taking place on Tuesday 30th September. This year, the Day of Sustainability is a collaboration between HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and Utrecht University, and the theme is: Connecting with Nature.
- What can we learn from nature’s principles?
- How can we give nature a voice in decision-making, education, and research?
- What does it mean to truly partner with nature?
- And how can we be positively impacted by the nature around us (think Amelisweerd)?
The event promises a fantastic programme, with keynote speakers including Jessica den Outer, Director of Rights for Nature, and Matthijs Schouten, an ecologist and philosopher. The day will be hosted by Aniek Moonen.
Programme
- Plenary session: 11:00 – 12:30
- Green Market: 12:00 – 16:00
- Workshops: 13:30 – 15:00
The event will be held at Padualaan 101 (HU), where everyone can dive into a day of sustainability and connection with the natural world.
More info on registration is coming soon – so keep an eye on the website for all the latest updates!
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.