| Utrecht Science Week on 14 and 15 October |
Utrecht Science Park is flourishing. This can be seen in the scientific achievements and successful collaboration between knowledge and care institutions and specialised companies, as well as the arrival of new parties – both established names and startups – all with grand ambitions and a passion for innovation. Together, we are working to create a healthy, sustainable society.
In the years ahead, Utrecht Science Week aims to make the value and progress of the joint efforts at Utrecht Science Park more visible to a wide audience of stakeholders and interested parties. The inaugural edition of this Utrecht Science Week will take place on 14 and 15 October 2021.
In this newsletter, we provide explanation of a number of programme components. Visit www.utrechtscienceweek.nl to view the full programme and sign up to keep track of events online! |
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| Interview with the famous ‘green growth’ economist Mariana Mazzucato |
| Economist Mariana Mazzucato argues that an inclusive and sustainable future calls for mission-driven policy making and innovation, redefining the role of the government, the market and the university. She now acts as an advisor to prime-ministers and presidents and a wide range of governments and organisations around the world. But she also rethinks the role of the universities in achieving this. What is her advise? |
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| USP Talk ‘Robot The Beast’ by Wouter de Laat |
| 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 explains the groundbreaking role of the robot. The Beast is a Dutch invention developed by the Hubrecht Institute and biotech company Genmab. |
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| Round table discussion on ‘Rise of superbug threatens health of millions’ with i.a. Marc Bonten |
| 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. |
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| USP Talk ‘ICAT: centre of expertise for personalised regenerative treatment’ by Jos Malda |
| 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. |
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| 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? |
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| USP Talk ‘The Operating theatre of the future’ by Eelco Hoving |
| 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. |
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| Round table discussion ‘Tinkering with humans: questions of ethics and social responsibility’ with i.a. Nick Ramsey |
| 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? |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Final Sustainable Campus Challenge – Healthy Living & Sustainable Living |
| 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. The 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 and the USW Talent Award - Sustainable Living. |
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| Life Sciences 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. You can also attend this event live, register here. |
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