In the renovated intensive care unit of the WKZ parents will soon be able to be with their sick child day and night
In their pediatric and neonatal ICU wards, the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital is making the switch from ward nursing to single rooms, with the option for parents to be with their sick child 24/7. This offers both the children and their parents more peace, space and privacy.
The parent-child rooms are part of a major renovation at the WKZ. Construction has begun and the wards will open in phases in 2026 and 2027. In total, the new rooms will allow about 3,500 families a year to be together day and night. The demand for parent-child rooms in the WKZ came not only from parents, but also from the medical staff, says Jorien Huisman. She is director of the Friends UMC Utrecht & Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital Foundation. Research shows that treatment in a private room with fewer stimuli contributes to faster recovery of the child or baby, she explains. Furthermore, this type of room is good for better bonding between parent and baby, for example because skin-to-skin contact is easier.
Huisman describes what the rooms should look like. On one side of the room will be all the medical equipment needed to treat the child. On the other side will be the parents’ area. That will include a bed and a closet. Through a fundraiser, the WKZ hopes to eventually pay for all the furniture in the rooms.
For more information or a donation go to: https://vriendenumcutrecht-wkz.nl/ouder-kindkamers/
Living Lab in the Spotlight: Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park is home to several living labs focused on energy and circularity. These include Lumifield, which explores the generation and storage of solar energy, and the biogas digester, which uses organic waste as an energy source. On their own, these are already promising initiatives. Connected, they could become something much bigger: a functioning, learning model for a circular campus.
From student idea during challenge to ReGreen Hut at Dutch Design Week
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?
Utrecht Science Week kicks off: social and economic impact of Utrecht Science Park in the spotlight
The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.