VUB Fellows 2014

VUB FELLOWS 2014

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“Our scientific research and excellent teaching should sustainably benefit society, its organisations and companies.

Always with the clear ambition to make a significant difference�

Paul De Knop, Rector VUB

Cover: detail of mural in the rectorate building of the VUB (architect Renaat Braem)

Content

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Academia meets Society Prof. Hugo Thienpont, University Fellowship Coordinator

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Fellows VUB Community

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Science Fellows VUB 2014

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Kurt Lewin Fellow VUB 2014

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Solvay Fellows VUB 2014

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LK Fellows VUB 2014

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UMC Fellows VUB 2014

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Engineering Fellows VUB 2014

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Law and Criminology Fellows VUB 2014

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Contact 39

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Academia meets Society For the third year in a row, we are privileged to warmly welcome a new class of VUB Fellows. We are looking forward to jointly strengthen the ties between Academia and Society. Two years ago, in 2012, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel initiated its Fellowship program with five Solvay Fellows VUB. Last year, the VUB Fellowship was extended to five additional Faculties and 22 new Fellows.

The aim of the VUB Fellowship program is to act as a platform where academics and the worlds of society and business meet to discuss joint challenges, exchange experiences, share good practices and learn from one another for the benefit of research, academic education and society in general.

We firmly believe that the VUB Fellowship can, as such, become a main vector to further improve the quality of our education, foster the employability of our graduates, stimulate research and improve our overall capacity for innovation and competitiveness resulting in better service to our society. “VUB Fellow� is therefore the highest grade of membership for our Alma Mater. It is a title bestowed upon unique personalities such as top-level company executive officers or company staff members, visionary politicians or decision makers, or any other type of socially relevant personalities.

We are proud to have 49 outstanding VUB Fellows. Together we can bridge the gap between Academia and Society.

Prof. Hugo Thienpont University Fellowship Coordinator

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Prof. Hugo Thienpont

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On September 12th 2012, The Vrije Universiteit Brussel officially launched the VUB Fellowship to actively support interaction and cooperation between highly experienced members of society and business, by entitling them as Fellows of the VUB. The first Fellows were proposed by the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences and Solvay Business School.

They officially received the title of “Solvay Fellow VUB”. In 2013, the VUB Fellowship was extended to 5 additional Faculties. The official inauguration of 22 new Fellows took place on Wednesday September 18th at the VUB’s medical campus in Jette.

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Fellows VUB 2013 SCIENCE FELLOWS VUB Ingrid Daubechies Guy Van Lommen Jean-Marie Solvay LK FELLOWS VUB Eddy De Smedt Yves Geysels Willy Smeets SOLVAY FELLOWS VUB Philippe De Longueville Lieven Deketele Luc Lallemand Olivier Vanden Eynde Vincent Stuer KURT LEWIN FELLOWS VUB Patrick Coulier Koen De Maesschalck Telidja Klaï

ENGINEERING FELLOWS VUB Line Alderweireldt Dirk Boogmans René De Keyzer Yves Pianet Jan Watté UMC FELLOWS VUB Yolande Avontroodt Maggie De Block Jo De Cock

Fellows VUB 2012 SOLVAY FELLOWS VUB Xavier Verhaeghe Karsten De Clerck An Verhulst-Santos Ludo Vandervelden Michel Van den Broeck

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“The most important raw material we Europeans have - and that we should invest in - is our knowledge. At the same time however, we need innovative ideas and insights as well as a healthy portion of entrepreneurship that lead to tangible, real–life applications with commercial potential and that improve the world we live in.”

Eddy Van Gelder, Chairman VUB

Science Fellow VUB Bart Degeest Peter Strickx Jurgen Tack

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Bart Degeest

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Bio: Bart Degeest graduated as Bio-engineer in cellular and genetic engineering at VUB in 1995 and obtained his PhD in Applied Biology Sciences in 2001. That same year, he was recruited by Yakult as Science Manager and took on the position of Director of Science and Corporate Affairs. Since 2011 he is the Managing Director of Yakult Belgium N.V.

Managing Director at Yakult Belgium N.V.

“25 years ago, I deliberately chose to study at the VUB. An important, centrally located, very democratic university, actively relying on, and endorsing the ‘Free Research’ principle.

Already during my study period, I was conscious of the important role of the university, not only with respect to good research and excellent education, but also as a place of reflection on humanity and society. In this context, I feel privileged to become a VUB Fellow. I will aim to promote the scientific excellence of the VUB. I believe it is equally important to share relevant industry (own or network) experience with new generations of students. Overall, I will try to actively contribute in building bridges between academia, industry and society.”

FACULTY WE

Peter Strickx

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“For me as a student, the VUB always exemplified the true spirit of (scientific) research: ‘No dogmas allowed’. Some of the most innovative minds started their careers here. I am honored to become a Fellow because I consider it an appreciation not of past accomplishments but for the potential added value in promoting the VUB and its core principles of freedom of research and humanist values. I am convinced that a society with more respect for some core academic values like openness and critical thinking will result in a more tolerant and equitable one. However, that respect needs to be earned through innovative ideas and results from academia that have a significant and positive impact on people’s daily lives.”

Bio:

Chief Technology Officer at FEDICT

Peter Strickx obtained a MSc in Science at the VUB in 1987, where he also started his career as research assistant before joining Sun Microsystems (Belux) where he held several management positions from 1991 until 2001. Currently he is the Chief Technology Officer of the government agency FEDICT.

FACULTY WE

Jurgen Tack

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“Objective research is an absolute necessity enabling policy makers to discuss important societal issues starting from a common agreement of reality. Academic organizations have an important role in achieving this.

This Fellowship strengthens the existing ties between the VUB and nature related policy research.�

General Administrator at INBO

Bio: Jurgen Tack obtained a PhD in Biology at the VUB. After a scientific and consultancy career in development cooperation, he became the General Administrator of the Institute for Nature and Forest Research in 2007. Currently, he is also President of the International Maas-committee.

FACULTY WE

Kurt Lewin Fellow VUB Sonia Frey

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Sonia Frey

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Bio: Sonia Frey started working at De Lijn as Director Human Resources in May 2012. Her career took off at Staff Selection Services as Recruitment and Selection Consultant, straight after obtaining her degree at the VUB in 1993. Two years later she moved to Unilever Belgium and took on the position of Recruitment and Selection Manager. In August 1998, she joined AGF Belgium (part of Allianz Group) as Change Management Consultant, and got promoted in 1999 to the position of Hiring and Training Manager.

In 2001 she became Business Partner Human Resources at De Post, and from 2007 till 2012 held the position of Human Capital Development Director at EDF Luminus.

Director Human Resources at De Lijn

“VUB taught me not only to be critical, to base my assumptions on empirical data, to be complete and analytical, but also to open my mind and develop my vision by exchanging best practices, by walking around, by developing a multidisciplinary approach towards my future career.

Continuous interaction between the academic and business world fosters a better breeding ground for both worlds. Business should benefit from the in-depth academic and fundamental research and translate this in product innovation, process improvements, a better educated workforce, etc.

And in return, schools and universities should have access to societal and market insights offered by companies competing in different markets with different challenges.�

FACULTY PE

Solvay Fellow VUB Beatrice Delvaux Chantal Pattyn Micheline Scheys JosĂŠphine Rebecca Vanden Broucke Dominique Vercraeye

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Beatrice Delvaux

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Bio: Béatrice Delvaux was born in Namur in 1960. She is a journalist at Le Soir since 1984.

From 1990 till 2001, she was Chief of the economic section and Chief editorialist from December 2001 till June 2011. She is also author of the book ‘Zes Huwelijken en een begrafenis. Grote en kleine geheimen van de Belgische haute finance’ (with Stefaan Michielsen), Lannoo, 1999.

Journalist at Le Soir “The university must be a place where intellectuals can spend time to think out of the box, to innovate and debate in order to help society to move forwards and to cope with the diversity, the complexity, the continuous changes and new situations.”

FACULTY ES

Chantal Pattyn

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“As manager of a cultural radio station (Klara) and a journalist with art as main focus, the world of science is a constant source of inspiration.

Nevertheless, in my opinion the Academia is apparently still a very closed universe to the outside world. It is my ambition to learn more on academic investigation and the people involved. The contemporary art world has become a very investigative scene and artists, especially visual artists, are much concerned with the intellectual preparation of their work.

Therefore, the art scene inclines more and more towards the Academia.

As a radio journalist I cover art exhibitions, theatre, opera, literature and so on. I hope that as a VUB Fellow I will be able to offer more airplay to young and brilliant researchers for I believe the work done in this science realm deserves more attention.”

Bio: During her studies, Chantal Pattyn already started working for Radio 1. On Studio Brussel she was the host of the alternative music program “Update” and the cultural magazine Frituur Victoria. She also presented the TV news magazine De Zevende Dag. In 2000 she moved to Klara, the cultural radio station where she hosted the art program Alinea. In 2007, Chantal Pattyn was appointed as Director of Klara. Since 2013, she combines her job as director with hosting the art program Pompidou.

FACULTY ES

Director of Klara at VRT

Micheline Scheys

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“I want to support the VUB in becoming a crucial actor in a diverse metropolitan area and help the university in addressing the main challenges facing it: becoming more international, coping with the demands of the labour market, focus on its strenghts,... In contemporary society, academia is the cornerstone for improving life. But in order to maximize its effects, academia needs to meet society.”

Secretary-General at Ministery of Education

Bio: Micheline Scheys graduated as a sociologist at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1974.

She worked as a researcher at the VUB for almost 20 years. Since 1993, she is employed at the Ministry of Education: first as a researcher, later on as the head of the section ‘Policy Oriented Coordination’. In 2010, she became the first female Secretary General of the Education Department in Flanders.

FACULTY ES

Joséphine Rebecca Vanden Broucke

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Bio: Joséphine Rebecca worked with former President of the French Republic Giscard d’Estaing on the subsidiarity concept that is now one of the basic principles of the European Union. During her political career she was successively alderman for education in Ghent, member of the Belgian Federal Parliament, Federal and Flemish Minister of Economics and Foreign Trade, Flemish Deputy Minister President and member of the Flemish Parliament. She has always been at the forefront in debates about education and research, multilingualism and equal opportunity. Specifically relevant for the academic world are, among other things, the start-up of the Odysseus, Methusalem and Hercules programmes, and the expansion of possibilities to teach in other languages. At this moment she’s developing a research unit at the European Parliament Research Service that monitors the execution of the decisions of the European Council of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States.

“The fellowship creates a platform for the fellow, an opportunity to share some of the valuable experience accumulated in a rich professional life.

In my specific case: a very diverse and multicultural experience both in the EU and in politics (local, regional and national) and this, from a legal, economic-political and linguistic angle.”

FACULTY ES

Head of Unit at EPRS (European Parliament Research Service) - European Council Oversight Unit

Dominique Vercraeye

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“The VUB fellowship will enable me to challenge - and to be challenged by researchers and graduates in my personal ambition to develop further understanding of and innovative solutions for the issues our society is facing.

Cross collaboration between different partners (companies and academia generalists and specialists – scientist and professionals – youngsters and seniors) is a key success factor for maximizing the effectiveness of research and education programs.”

Bio:

Managing Director at TNS Belgium

Dominique Vercraeye started as Project Leader and Senior Project Leader at Dimarso from 1987 till 1990. He became Research Director of Dimarso in 1991 and Director at N.I.D. (National Institute Data Collection) in 1993. Since 1994 he has been the Managing Director of TNS Belgium, a top player in the Belgian market research sector that offers qualitative and quantitative market research, ranging from data collection to insight consultancy for a.o. brands, media, social policy and political process, media planning and analysis. Honoured as Master Marketeer. President of FEBELMAR for more than 10 years and EFFIE jury for 17 years.

FACULTY ES

LK Fellow VUB Marc Frederix Krista Vandenborne Luc Van Mol

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Marc Frederix

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Bio: Studied successively at the Koninklijk Atheneum and Sports Humanities in Hasselt (1971-1977) and Philosophy and Communication Sciences at the VUB (1977-1982).

Marc Frederix was first employed as a promo manager of a newspaper, then 15 years in the advertising industry (of which the last 10 years at his own action marketing agency Karamba, which was sold later on to DraftWorldwide). Since March 2003, he became member of the executive committee of the National Lottery where he transformed the marketing department into a dynamic and modern campaign team, integrated the sponsorship policy in the marketing strategy, made leading creative campaigns and won several Effies for the brands Lotto, EuroMillions and Win for Life. He has a passion for marketing, innovation and creativity, and loves to travel with his family while regularly climbing a mountain pass in the Alps by bike.

Marketing Director at Nationale Loterij

“It’s my vision that a permanent exchange of marketing and communication models, innovations, consumer insights and ethical values in society and business should be shared with, and challenged on a regular basis by students, professors and academic publications.

As a former VUB alumni, I would like to contribute to set up such a platform through meetings, brainstorm sessions and a digital share platform.�

FACULTY LK

Krista Vandenborne

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“The VUB does a wonderful job preparing students to be critical thinkers and leaders. Its focus on science and technology, uniquely positions the VUB to meet the needs of society in healthcare and biomedical research. Healthcare plays a critical role in society and the exchange between scientists and health care providers from many different disciplines and countries is needed to tackle diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Academic institutions such as the VUB play a critical role in this process and the fellowship will help the development of important networks that ultimately may benefit many different fields.”

Bio: Krista Vandenborne started studying Physical Therapy and Motor Rehabilitation at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1984 and graduated in 1988. She became a researcher at VUB in 1988 and finished her PhD in 1993 on “Non-Invasive Detection of Muscle Fiber Types in Man”. From 1998 on, she worked as a research assistant professor at the Departments of Radiology and Physiology of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. In 2001, she was promoted to associate professor at the Department of Physical Therapy of the University of Florida, Gainesville. She still continues working at this university, now as a full professor and chair of the department of Physical Therapy. Krista collaborated in publishing more than 70 peer reviewed scientific papers in highly ranked journals and published more than 160 abstracts for international scientific conferences. She participated in bringing together more than US$ 15.000.000 of funding for research in, among others Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biomarkers for Muscular Dystrophy and muscular damage and in the development of research in neuromuscular plasticity.

FACULTY LK

Current Chair & Professor at the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville

Luc Van Mol

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“As CEO of ZEB, I hope to inspire young people and stimulate them to start their own business by telling them how enriching and fun it is.

But also how important it is for our society and for their future to have more entrepreneurship, to create more jobs and to be competitive and innovative.”

CEO at ZEB retail company

Bio: Luc Van Mol received his master in Physical Therapy at VUB. He started his professional career in IT, working with IBM amongst others. After a few years, he was infected by the “jeans-microbe”. The ZEB-story started 20 years ago with a jeans wholesale company. Soon after the first shop opened in Aalst.

FACULTY LK

UMC Fellow VUB Dirk Dewolf Patricia Lanssiers Luc Adriaenssens

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Dirk Dewolf

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Bio: Dirk Dewolf was Deputy-Head of the Cabinet of Ministers Jo Vandeurzen and Steven Vanackere. He was also a former CD&V alderman in Overijse, and head of the Department of health promotion.

General Administrator at Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid

“The VUB is one of the most important landmarks of the Flemish Community in cosmopolitan Brussels. The actual reform of the Belgian state is transferring competencies related to health and well-being to the Communities.

A dialogue between the VUB and our Flemish administration can facilitate the introduction of adapted policies.�

FACULTY GF

Patricia Lanssiers

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“I’m very honored that I have been selected as a UMC fellow by VUB which is my ‘sister’ university. I would like to contribute to debates involving bringing innovation to the patient, creating trust through a transparent relationship between industry and academia and stimulate diversity in leadership positions.”

Bio: After her studies, Patricia Lanssiers immediately started in the pharmaceutical industry at Sandoz (1984-1997) and Novartis (1997-2000), where she gained expertise in various operational units including marketing, regulatory, quality control and in the medical departement. In december 2000, she joined Eli Lilly as Corporate Affairs Director for the Belgian branch, and held several key positions at Eli Lilly later on, both in Belgium and Europe.

FACULTY GF

Senior director ethics and compliance Europe, Canada and Australia at Eli Lilly

Luc Adriaenssens

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“My Pharmacist degree from the VUB and 25 years experience in service industries, has allowed me to get insights in evolving service models and to learn from the continuous dialogue between all stakeholders, including academia. As a VUB Fellow, I am honoured and eager to participate more actively in this dialogue by promoting exchange of knowledge and best practices between APB and VUB. The community pharmacist faces a number of challenges in being both the specialist in pharmaceutical care and a manager of his pharmacy. Joint efforts must result in an improved added value of the pharmacist in his caring role to the patient.�

General Manager at APB

Bio: Luc Adriaenssens is the current General Manager of APB. After his Pharmacy and MBA studies, he acquired large management experience in service industries (Spector and Securitas) during 25 years. As member of the Executive Committee, he successfully leads several business units (strong relationship with decision makers, high retention rate customers).

FACULTY GF

Engineering Fellow VUB Kathleen Dupont Philip Hermans Pol Hoorelbeke Lieve Paternoster Jan Vliegen

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Kathleen Dupont

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Bio: Being an industrial engineer, Kathleen Dupont started her carreer in HR-services for engineers. In 2004 she started working at USG Innotiv; at first as Specialty Manager Construction & Infra, and as from 2007 as Operational Director. Based on her long experience within the company and her entrepreneurial attitude she has further developed the branches ‘staffing’ and ‘outsourcing’. Currently, she is General Director of the company.

General Director at USG

“Technology is not only gaining importance, it is also evolving at a faster pace.

I personnaly believe in lifelong learning and encourage engineers to continuously acquire new knowledge and skills. For the future, the promotion of both niche expertise and multi-disciplinary profiles is an essential key to achieve this.”

FACULTY IR

Philip Hermans

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“For my studies in Applied Sciences, I made a very conscious choice to select VUB for its adherence to the principles of Free Research.

In my personal and professional life, I continue to practice these thoughts i n most, if not in all of my decisions. Being selected as a Fellow, allows me to continue giving my testimony thereof to the VUB’s community and beyond.

While I believe that ‘Academia meets Society’ is a must in order not to alienate from the inherent purpose of the University Community(ies), I believe that equally, it is important/required for ‘Enterprise to meet Academia’.

I believe that, as a Fellow, I can try to contribute to this goal.”

General Manager at Dredging International

Bio: From 2006 onwards, Philip Hermans was appointed as Area Director at DEME and General Manager at Dredging International. He holds a master’s degree “Civil Engineering - Construction” from the VUB (1981).

FACULTY IR

Pol Hoorelbeke

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“The wellbeing of everyone is the utmost goal for any society.

Our current society faces huge challenges because of demographics, the use of natural resources and the energy needs which could have a tremendous impact on the environment. Our future leaders that will have to achieve this sustainable development are today’s university students.

Our future engineers who will play a crucial role in realizing new technologies are also still at the universities. My career and experience within an international major energy company can help these current students to better understand the challenges they will be facing.�

Bio: Vice President Safety Division at Total Refining & Chemicals

Pol Hoorelbeke has been with Total for 13 years and is Vice President Safety Division for Total Refining & Chemicals since 2012. He has been working in the field of industrial safety for more than 25 years and has given several lectures all over the world (USA, China, Europe, Middle East) over the past 10 years as part of his doctoral research. He holds a master degree in Engineering and Safety and a doctoral degree in Applied Science.

FACULTY IR

Lieve Paternoster

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Bio: Lieve Paternoster is one of the first female alumni of the Faculty of Engineering of VUB. For that reason, she is strongly convinced of the pluralistic VUB values. As a teacher - and later on - as head of department at Plantijn Hogeschool (Antwerpen), she has a rather atypical profile as an engineer. After her career in education, she remains active as a frequent member (secretary) of evaluation committees of a.o. engineering departments (professional and academic bachelors and masters).

“During my long career as a lector, I have been inspired several times by the student-oriented approach (revolutionary in the early seventies!) and the didactic qualities of a number of outstanding professors at the VUB Engineering Faculty. I am particularly honoured being nominated by ‘my faculty’ as a VUB-Fellow!”

FACULTY IR

Honorary Head of Department of the Antwerp College and Director of HOVIPAT

Jan Vliegen

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Bio: After obtaining his PhD, Jan Vliegen joined Umicore in 1984. He became Senior VicePresident CSM and Plant Manager in 2000, after 10 years in the R&D department. He has acquired international expertise by working for the Umicore plants worldwide.

Currently he manages more than 1000 people in the Olen plant.

Senior Vice President at UMICORE

“Throughout my extensive career of 30 years in the industry, I had the opportunity to be active in industrial process and product research, production and finally leading several business units in an international environment.

The fellowship at the VUB gives me the opportunity to share my experiences with students and academic personnel in order to help them making choices in their research and careers from an industrial perspective.�

FACULTY IR

Law and Criminology Fellow VUB

Michèle Coninsx Véronique Pertry

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Michèle Coninsx

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© I. Verzar

“Having built my career on law and criminology studies, I am very honoured and committed to contribute to the valuable work of the VUB with my Fellowship. I believe that inspiration and usability are the two sides of the coin that shape our society, thus a constant dialogue between academia and stakeholders is indispensable.”

President of Eurojust

Bio: Michèle Coninsx was appointed President of Eurojust by the Council of Ministers of the European Union, after her election by the College of Eurojust, in May 2012. Eurojust is the European body that stimulates and improves the coordination of investigations and prosecutions related to organised crime and terrorism between the competent authorities of the EU Member States. In addition, Ms Coninsx is National Member for Belgium and the Chair of the Eurojust Counter-Terrorism Team. Michèle Coninsx has a Master’s Degree in Law, a Masters Degree in Criminology and a degree in Air Law and Aviation Security (UK – USA).

FACULTY RC

Véronique Pertry

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Bio: Véronique Pertry is partner at Eubelius since 2007.

She has a degree in Law from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (1986) and holds a postgraduate degree in Labor Law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (1988). She is a member of the Brussels bar since 1998.

She started her career as an assistant teaching labor law at the VUB. As from 1989, she worked as a legal consultant and then as a lawyer, specialized in Labor law (individual and collective), social security and fringe benefits for employees.

“As a child of the generation, of whom many were among the first in their family to start university studies, I have been able to see for myself what incredible opportunities a university degree offers. Studying at VUB was a deliberate choice for the VUB philosophy. This fellowship offers me the possibility to link up with the university that is dear to me and to give something back to its academic world and students.”

FACULTY RC

Partner Eubelius

Contact Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2 - 1050 Brussel Tel. + 32 2 629 11 83 fellows@vub.ac.be http://www.vub.ac.be/fellowship/

Academia meets Society

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