Planet B.io Education Lab welcomes Minor Biotechnology from The Hague University of Applied Sciences

The Minor Biotechnology was originally designed for third-year students of the Process & Food Technology program, but is now also open to students from various programs and Universities. We spoke with lecturer Arjo Vink, about the structure of the minor and the added value of collaborating with external partners such as Planet B.io.

What makes the pressure cooker week unique?

“It’s fast-paced and intense, but also highly rewarding. Students collaborate in small teams, work under deadlines, and present their findings to professionals. Because they’re solving a challenge from an actual start-up, the experience feels very real.  Students are highly motivated to deliver results.”

Why not host the entire course at The Hague University?

“We simply don’t have the ML-1 lab facilities that Planet B.io offers. The location is ideal and the equipment is professional, it’s a valuable extension of what we can provide ourselves. The collaboration works really well: we remain responsible for the curriculum and teaching, while Planet B.io contributes ideas and facilitates the practical components.
In Process & Food Technology, one of our core values is to stay closely connected to the professional field. Collaborating with Planet B.io gives our students the opportunity to engage with (start-up) companies that match their interests.”

Is it valuable for students to learn in external environments?

“Definitely. It gives them a broader perspective on the industry. They learn that strict safety regulations apply everywhere, sometimes even stricter than at school.
Through excursions on the Biotech Campus Delft, they see both start-ups and corporates in action, and gain insight into real lab and pilot facilities. That exposure has inspired students and even led to internship placements in previous years.”