The Hague Innovation Parade 2026

“We need bridge builders who all contribute to solutions that actually work”, said Dr. Machteld van Lieshout, Associate Lecturer in Healthy Nutrition for a Healthy Generation, during her keynote. 

For students, the parade marks the conclusion of months of collaboration with clients and practice partners. Annemieke van der Haas, lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, explains why this hands-on experience is essential: “It’s not just about pitching a final result, but also about everything that comes before it. Students learn to collaborate, conduct research, connect with the professional field, and engage with target groups they might otherwise hardly encounter.” 

A first-year project with impact 

First-year student Demi demonstrated this during her research, in which she aimed to make tofu and tempeh more appealing to older adults. “At a community center, I tested my ideas in practice, and about 80 percent of the participants responded positively. In addition to the insights, we mainly learned how to approach people, take initiative, and collaborate with a partner from the field.” 

The power of networking 

During the parade, students receive direct feedback from professionals, and the programme immediately gains the opportunity to engage with new ideas and solutions from the field. Annemieke adds: “Students immediately see that what they develop also has value beyond the programme, and in doing so, we create perspective right away.”