First pile signals start of future-proof Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital
On Thursday 28 November the first pile has been driven, marking the start of the renovation of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ). With this renovation the WKZ/UMC Utrecht takes a big step towards a future-proof children’s hospital, where innovative and sustainable care is provided to the patients and their families. A common thread of the renovation is the creation of space, tranquility and privacy for both child and parent or caregiver.
The renovation will begin with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and High Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which will transition from inpatient wards to single rooms. This will allow parents or caregivers to stay and stay overnight with their sick child. This contributes to family-oriented care, where parents or caregivers are closely involved in their child’s care. In this way, they have more control and privacy together.
In addition to these departments, the Pregnancy and Triage Departments are also being remodeled, and the Medium Care Neonatology and Maternity Departments are being merged into family rooms, where parents and newborns can stay together in a personalized environment. All is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Josefien Kursten, member of the Executive Board of the UMC Utrecht: “With this renovation, we are focusing on the care of tomorrow. By transforming the hospital into a place where patients with their families and colleagues are central. In the new and renovated departments we will work differently to provide better family-oriented care. We will ensure that our working environment and the healthcare technologies we use are ready for the future.”
Keep an eye on the website for up-to-date information.
Karin Gerritsen receives grant for kidney-on-a-chip
Nephrologist Karin Gerritsen of UMC Utrecht receives a grant of 1.8 million euros for the research NanoKid from NWO. In this research she is working on an innovative kidney-on-a-chip: a miniature model in which the most important kidney functions are imitated. The ultimate goal is to use this kidney-on-a-chip as a fundamental building block for a bioartificial kidney and improving kidney replacement therapies.
24 organisations join forces for sustainable mobility in Utrecht East
Utrecht East took a step into a new phase of sustainable mobility. On 19 January 2026, 24 major organisations from the Utrecht Science Park and Kantorenpark Rijnsweerd signed a joint commitment to make travel more sustainable, encourage walking and cycling, increase the use of public transport, and structurally reduce peak-hour congestion.
De Pit opens in two weeks at the Educatorium – trial day today (20 January)
In two weeks, on Tuesday 3 February, De Pit will officially open in the Educatorium at Utrecht University. De Pit is an independent, student-run food initiative that originated from the Young Future Food Movement (YFFM). The initiative grew from a simple but powerful idea: everyone on campus deserves delicious, nutritious, and affordable food.
Wennink plan: Life Sciences and biotechnology are important growth drivers for the earning capacity of the Netherlands
The Dutch Life Sciences and biotechnology sector can make a much larger contribution to the Netherlands’ economic strength. This is shown in a new growth strategy presented today as part of Peter Wennink’s advisory report. The report also highlights Utrecht Science Park as one of the key innovation locations and sources of progress and growth.