UG and Municipality of Emmen take a step toward academic education in Emmen

Last night, the University of Groningen (UG) and the Municipality of Emmen signed a letter of intent to collaborate on bringing academic education to Emmen. This move marks a significant milestone in advancing the development of Greenwise Campus as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and talent development.

The UG, as one of the initiators of Greenwise Campus, is already active in Emmen in the areas of research and innovation, which includes the Netherlands’ first hybrid research group. According to Jouke de Vries, President of the Board of the University of Groningen, exploring academic education that aligns with the profile of Greenwise Campus in Emmen is a logical next step: ‘To effectively address societal challenges, collaboration across disciplines and together with the region is essential for us as a University. Education that is rooted in the pillars of Greenwise Campus can strengthen this partnership.’

These pillars are circular plastics, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, wellbeing, and technology. They are closely linked to the regional economy and to societal and technological transitions such as digitization, the energy transition, and the shift toward a circular economy.

Unique collaboration: vocational, higher professional, and academic education

Within Greenwise Campus, the UG already works closely with NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and DCTerra. Emmen is distinguished by a unique ecosystem in which vocational (mbo), higher professional (hbo), and academic (wo) education work closely together. The campus hosts professorships, research groups, and hybrid research teams, creating a powerful learning environment in which students, researchers, and businesses work together on societal and technological challenges.

Netherlands’ first hybrid research group

A prime example of this unique collaboration is Sustainable Polymers, the Netherlands’ first hybrid research group.. Here, the Department of Macromolecular Chemistry and New Polymeric Materials of the UG and the Circular Plastics professorship at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences combine their expertise to find solutions for recycling polymers and composites.

Future-proof region

The introduction of academic education in Emmen represents an important step in the continued development of Greenwise Campus. The campus attracts talent and investment, stimulates innovation and educational renewal, and creates opportunities for businesses and new jobs. Through innovative learning pathways and hybrid learning environments, it forges a strong connection between education and the labour market, sustainably strengthening the regional economy. The campus thus lays the foundation for a robust, future-proof region and gives a boost to broad-based prosperity.

Councillor Raymond Wanders commented: ‘Working with the UG to explore how academic education can be offered in Emmen, alongside research, is an important next step and gives a strong boost to our region. By bringing together education, research, and innovation, we create opportunities for businesses and young talent, while generating new jobs. This is an investment in the campus, but above all in the future of Emmen and its residents.’

What is Greenwise Campus?

Greenwise Campus is a leading network for knowledge development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It focuses on creating solutions for complex challenges at regional, national, and international levels. Its work centres on four strategic themes: circular plastics, energy, smart manufacturing, as well as wellbeing, healthcare, and technology. These themes are closely connected to the region’s economic structure and are significantly influenced by societal and technological change.

Digitization, the energy transition, the shift toward a circular economy, and a broader approach to health are all placing pressure on these areas while also creating new opportunities. Greenwise Campus is dedicated to researching, developing, and applying innovative solutions in response to these dynamics. At the heart of Greenwise Campus is the Innovation Centre in Emmen.

Greenwise Campus is an initiative of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, DCTerra, the University of Groningen, the Province of Drenthe, and the Municipality of Emmen. It works closely with regional and Northern Dutch businesses and is one of the flagship projects of the University of the North, a collaborative partnership between the University of Groningen, all universities of applied sciences, and the regional training centres in the Northern Netherlands.