HELLO ZUIDAS INTRODUCES FRANC VAN NUNEN Supervisory Board

Franc van Nunen has been a key player in the VU/VUmc Foundation for more than 25 years. He was long active positioning the VU campus in Amsterdam and raising the university’s economic and innovative profile in Zuidas. Franc’s commitment and passion for forging connections have made him an instrumental member of the Hello Zuidas Foundation’s Supervisory Board.

Franc, how have things changed in the time you’ve been here?

“I joined the VU/VUmc Foundation a quarter-century ago. Back then, the university had sole responsibility for setting up and professionalizing its real estate, buildings, and campus and area development organization. Most of the campus had been built between the late fifties and early seventies at the city’s outskirts, all but ‘out in the pastures’.”

In what ways is VU Amsterdam working to connect with the Zuidas district?

“The VU campus and Amsterdam UMC are in the middle of the city these days. Through the development of innovation districts as outlined in the city’s spatial planning strategy, we’re working out ways to connect our knowledge cluster, university and academic medical centre with work and residential life and leisure in Zuidas. We are looking outward as a university and actively seeking partners for collaboration, start-ups and knowledge-based enterprise. And, of course, a university is also a connection point in an international collaborative academic network.”

Development is ongoing at VU Amsterdam as well. What are you proudest of?

“The campus is a welcoming, inspiring and safe space for education, research and the creation of social and economic value. Our campus renewal is creating an urban campus that is sustainable and greener and with facilities for events, housing and accommodation, sports and culture. The campus is the home base and calling card of VU Amsterdam. I’m proud that we’ve had the opportunity and ability to accomplish this.”

How did you come to join the Supervisory Board of the Hello Zuidas Foundation? And what is your role?

“VU Amsterdam was one of the founding members of Hello Zuidas. In my job as campus director, I’d been involved in the foundation’s activities for some time and was asked to join when there was some reshuffling within the Board. Hello Zuidas is an important link for area partners and for joint initiatives between them and the city itself. My role is to bring them together, based on my expertise in issues around campus use and development.”

Why should organizations join Hello Zuidas?

“Hello Zuidas connects organizations through a wide range of activities focused on substantive dialogue and issues of local interest as well as casual social events to get people together.

Olivier and his team give new members a warm welcome and introduction to the area and Zuidas community.”