Northern knowledge institutions join forces in Greenwise Campus
Three knowledge institutions are building a future-oriented learning and research environment in the Greenwise Campus Innovation Center.
Published on June 9, 2025
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Three knowledge institutions are collaborating to create a future-oriented learning and research environment within the Greenwise Campus Innovation Center. By signing a joint guarantee statement, NHL Stenden, DCTerra, and the University of Groningen (RUG) are confirming their long-term collaboration. Construction of the (physical) innovation center will start later this year.
Each institution will provide 2,500 m² within the center, creating space for practice-oriented education, public-private partnerships, and interdisciplinary research. The innovation center, located in Emmen, aims to become the hub of the Circular Plastics, Smart Manufacturing, and Energy testing grounds.
“We are creating a learning environment here in the midst of an innovative practical context,” says Arwin Nimis of DCTerra. “This strengthens practical education and encourages students to move on from secondary vocational education to higher professional education and university.”
The testing grounds provide students, researchers, and companies with an opportunity to collaborate on addressing current social issues. Challenge-based learning, entrepreneurship, and educational innovation are central to this. “The innovation center connects our education and research directly to practice,” says Marc Otto of NHL Stenden. “This increases Emmen's appeal as a location for talent and companies.”
Jouke de Vries, chair of the Executive Board of the University of Groningen, sees broad opportunities: “The center makes it possible to connect science to applications. Not only in terms of technology, but also at the intersection of behavior, policy, and innovation.”
Green tie
The symbolic signing was reinforced with the presentation of an apple-green tie – the symbol of the ‘green sash’ that connects the Greenwise Campus and its partners.
Annette Verhoef of Greenwise Campus: “It is precisely the cross-pollination between knowledge, talent, and industry that makes this center a driving force for sustainable development in the region.”
The development is made possible in part by contributions from the Province of Drenthe, the Municipality of Emmen, the Just Transition Fund (JTF), RegioDeal Zuid- en Oost-Drenthe, and the EU, among others.