Dutch Universities Launch Major AI Campus to Build Regional Tech Resilience
The Hague, Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
Four leading Dutch institutions have created the Hague Applied AI Campus, marking a significant collaboration between The Hague University of Applied Sciences, ROC Mondriaan, Leiden University, and Delft University of Technology. This initiative aims to strengthen the region’s digital resilience by making residents, students, and professionals AI-proficient through lifelong learning programs and hands-on AI labs.
Pioneering AI Education Foundation
The Hague University of Applied Sciences established its leadership in artificial intelligence education four years ago, becoming the first university of applied sciences in the Netherlands to launch an Applied Data Science and AI program [1][2]. Peter Vroom, Director of the Faculty of IT & Design at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, emphasized this pioneering role, stating “We were the first university of applied sciences in the Netherlands to launch a programme in Applied Data Science and AI four years ago” [1]. This early investment in AI education has positioned the institution as a natural leader in the current collaborative initiative, providing the foundational expertise that shaped the HAAI Campus development.
Strategic Partnership Structure
The HAAI Campus represents a comprehensive collaboration between four major Dutch educational institutions: The Hague University of Applied Sciences, ROC Mondriaan, Leiden University, and Delft University of Technology [1][2][3]. Since January 1, 2026, the initiative has been managed by program managers Nanda Deen and Esther van Vondel, who oversee the strategic implementation of AI education and research initiatives [3]. The partnership aims to create a robust regional ecosystem that addresses the fundamental transformation of society and economy driven by artificial intelligence [1][2]. Project leader Esther van Vondel explained the urgency behind this collaboration: “AI is coming at us fast, and everyone is confronted with it, even if its full impact is not yet clear. That is why companies, governments, and educational institutions all need to get involved, so we can collectively understand AI’s impact and how to work with it responsibly” [1].
Comprehensive Educational Framework
The HAAI Campus operates under the guiding principle of “AI for good” and plans to offer lifelong learning programs and AI labs that tie into existing SME Labs [1]. A significant milestone in the campus’s educational expansion will be the launch of a new Master’s program called ‘AI Translator’ scheduled to begin in September 2026 at THUAS, focusing on the supportive and service-oriented use of AI technology [1]. The initiative extends beyond traditional academic boundaries, with small and medium enterprises now joining pilot projects to expand collaboration with employers [1]. This practical approach ensures that AI education remains grounded in real-world applications while maintaining ethical standards. Peter Vroom emphasized the responsible implementation philosophy: “We want AI to be used effectively and responsibly, so that it remains a servant, not the master” [1].
Regional Impact and Future Vision
The HAAI Campus aims to significantly boost digital and societal resilience throughout the Hague region by making residents, students, and working professionals AI-skilled [2][3]. The initiative has gained recognition at the highest levels of regional government, with Commissaris van de Koning Wouter Kolff and Economic Board Zuid-Holland chairperson Femke Brenninkmeijer conducting a working visit to The Hague University of Applied Sciences to discuss strategic collaboration on digitalization and AI initiatives [4]. The campus’s impact extends to supporting approximately 110,000 students across South Holland’s universities, contributing to knowledge development and innovation through regional and European cooperation [4]. Public engagement will begin with workshops at TechFest on January 29, 2026, where participants can learn about the HAAI Campus and its offerings [2][3]. As Esther van Vondel noted, “It is important to explore together what impact AI will have on society and on future generations. Our education and our students are essential for developing and applying increasingly advanced AI knowledge” [1].