Utrecht University

Utrecht University is a research university comprised of seven faculties which collectively cover the full spectrum of research and education.

The University has produced many household names. Utrecht scientists who have made an outstanding contribution to society include Nobel Prize winner Christiaan Eijkman, one of the discoverers of vitamin; neuropharmacologist David de Wied, who won national and international acclaim for his discovery that neuropeptides (small proteins) control brain activity and behaviour; and the latest Nobel Prize winner Gerard ’t Hooft, a prominent scientist in the field of theoretical physics. They also include Johanna Westerdijk, the first female professor in the Netherlands.

University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht)

The UMC Utrecht was founded in 2000 through the merger of the Academic Hospital, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ) and the Medical Faculty of Utrecht University.

With more than 1,000 beds, 11,000 employees and 340,000 visits to outpatient clinics, UMC Utrecht is one of the largest academic centers in the Netherlands.

Six research programs

Research focuses on six research programs: brain, infection & immunity, circulatory health, personalized cancer care, regenerative medicine and stem cells, and child health. Patient care and education are integrated into these programs. A relentless multidisciplinary approach guarantees that patients benefit from the latest available expertise and innovative technological solutions. Interaction with patients and society creates an ‘innovation loop’ where societal issues guide scientific research and where scientific results quickly move from bench to bedside.

The faculty of medicine from Utrecht University (UMC Utrecht) comprises over 3,500 bachelor and master students in medicine, biomedical sciences and clinical health sciences.

A vibrant science community

UMC Utrecht is in the center of a vibrant biomedical research community: Utrecht Life Sciences at the Utrecht Science Park in the heart of the Netherlands. More than 300 hectares is shared between knowledge institutions, top institutes and companies. It’s a perfect starting point for top performances in research, development and innovation. Other Science Park residents include Utrecht University, the Hubrecht Institute, the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, and companies like Genmab and Danone.

(Submitted and approved by Marjolijn Blokzijl on 2013-02-06)