For centuries, Utrecht University (UU) has devoted itself to delivering inspiring and impactful education above and beyond the mere transfer of knowledge.

But living up to that ambition in the digital-first era isn’t simple. Research and education at UU require students to master an array of specialized software – from statistical analysis and qualitative research tools to GIS, programming languages, and visualization platforms. And the way students interact with them is changing too.

Levelling the digital playing field

IT training once relied heavily on fixed desktop PCs. But as usage patterns and habits changed, it became necessary to enable students to access software securely and efficiently, wherever and whenever they needed it. Supporting that flexibility, however, involved different operating systems, uneven hardware performance, and version mismatches that created a patchwork of barriers.

The university needed a way to keep pace with students’ habits while recognizing that digital equity, flexibility, and consistency had become key pillars of educational excellence and institutional competitiveness.

Three people smiling while using electronic devices against a gray wall
20
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Cost savings annually on hardware expenses

A new gateway: enter Citrix

The turning point came in 2015. UU turned to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop to create MyWorkplace, a service that opened access to more than 150 applications across seven faculties. Students could now securely log in on any device and be greeted with the same standardized versions of the software they needed.

“Students can access the MyWorkplace environment anywhere, any time, and any place,” says Eric Klumpers, Information and Technology Department Head at Utrecht University. “And equal access means fewer frustrations with clashing software versions or compatibility issues.”

This wasn’t just about convenience; the shift represented a cultural change. MyWorkplace empowered students to learn on their own terms, outside of campus and timetables. It also laid the foundation for a cloud-enabled learning environment that could scale with student demand. And with data staying within the university environment, rather than on personal devices, concerns over compliance and security were minimized.

“Work has become much easier and far less time-consuming,” Klumpers adds. “And the stability and performance of the Citrix platform speak for themselves.”

Centralized delivery freed up IT teams to focus on innovation rather than maintenance, helping to align technology strategies with academic goals. Faculty and educational directors also recognized the potential beyond student access: why not use the same platform for the entire computer training environment? And why not rethink how study workplaces – and even staff tools – are provisioned?

The move to Citrix had marked the beginning of a university-wide digital transformation.

Work has become much easier and far less time-consuming, and the stability and performance of the Citrix® platform speak for themselves.”
- Eric Klumpers, Information and Technology Department Head, Utrecht University

Beyond the lab walls

As adoption grew, the ripple effects were felt across the university. Practical computer training, once tied to rows of expensive, fixed desktops, could now be run through students’ own devices. IT teams also saw relief. Instead of chasing updates across hundreds of PCs, applications could be packaged, tested, and deployed centrally in the Citrix environment. 

“The cost savings are significant, by extending the lifecycle of our hardware, we’ve been able to save 20% annually on these expenses.” Klumpers notes.  

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the importance of flexibility became even clearer. With the Citrix infrastructure in place, UU could maintain continuity in research, teaching, and administration with minimal disruption. Citrix’s role then expanded from student learning to staff applications and secure administrative workflows. In turn, the MyWorkplace service evolved into SolisWorkspace, reflecting its broader scope and wider audience. 

“Students who once had to log on to different applications separately can now do so from the Workplace environment and access everything they need in one place,” says Klumpers. “It’s the same for staff users. Everyone benefits.” 

The cost savings are significant, by extending the lifecycle of our hardware, we’ve been able to save 20% annually on these expenses.”
-Eric Klumpers, Information and Technology Department Head, Utrecht University

Top marks: stable infrastructure, empowered students and sustainable IT

The story of UU’s adoption of Citrix isn’t only about what students and lecturers see on the surface. For IT administrators, the platform introduced a level of structure and reliability that had been hard to achieve previously. 

Citrix’s centralized management environment separates packaging, testing, acceptance, and production. This safeguards continuity and reduces the risk of disruption. The ‘golden image’ principle ensures that every deployment is consistent and controlled – no more patchwork fixes or creeping version mismatches. For administrators, this means less firefighting and more strategic focus. For the university community, it means uninterrupted, secure access and steady performance. 

“For students, this is crucial for their studies,” Klumpers notes. “And for teachers and researchers it’s an increasingly valuable resource. It also supports UU’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and equal opportunities.” 

UU’s journey with Citrix is a story of alignment – of technology catching up with the way students want to learn and the way institutions need to operate. 

From a handful of fixed desktops to a flexible, cloud-enabled workspace serving thousands, UU is placing innovation and digital transformation at the forefront of its offering. And Citrix is proving to be more than a technical solution; it’s a secure and scalable gateway to a more agile, inclusive, and resilient learning ecosystem.

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