VUB Fellows 2017

FELLOWS 2017

ACADEMIA MEETS SOCIETY

© VUB 2016 Lies Willaert

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“In times in which co-creation, sharing and connectivity are key, universities must open up and break down the walls between science and society. Because those walls block the exchanging of ideas. So, VUB must be open, multidisciplinary and embedded in society. For therein lies the future. And that is exactly what our VUB Fellowship initiative is about.”

Caroline Pauwels, rector VUB

CONTENT Five years of VUB Fellowship 4 Arts and Humanities Fellows VUB

7

Engineering Fellows VUB

11

Kurt Lewin Fellows VUB

17

Law and Criminology Fellows VUB

23

LK Fellows VUB

29

Science Fellows VUB

31

Solvay Fellows VUB

35

UMC Fellows VUB

41

VUB Fellows

47

Fellows VUB - Classes of 2015 and 2016

51

Fellows VUB

52

Honorary Fellows VUB

54

Contact 55 |3

FIVE YEARS OF VUB FELLOWSHIP For the sixth time we are privileged to warmly welcome a new class of Fellows. There is no doubt that together we will strengthen the ties between academia and society.

Five years ago, in 2012, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel initiated its Fellowship programme with five Solvay Fellows VUB. Through the VUB Fellowship Programme academia 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. “Fellow VUB� is therefore the highest grade of membership for our Alma Mater, a title bestowed upon unique personalities: top level business people, visionary decision makers, socially relevant personalities.

Five years of VUB Fellowship has had a significant impact. It has improved the quality of our education, fostered the employability Prof. Hugo Thienpont

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INTRODUCTION

of our graduates, stimulated research and improved our overall capacity for innovation and competitiveness, resulting in better service to our society.

This year we’re introducing 29 new Fellows. In total, VUB now has 86 outstanding Fellows and 39 Honorary Fellows, who have agreed to continue their commitment.

We are looking forward to the next five years!

Prof. Hugo Thienpont University Fellowship Coordinator

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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, we need innovative ideas, fresh insights, and a healthy portion of entrepreneurship. Only this will lead to tangible, real-life applications with commercial potential that will improve the world we live in.�

Eddy Van Gelder, Chairman of the Board of VUB

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ARTS AND HUMANITIES FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

MARTINA TEMMERMAN

Yves Goldstein Nic Van der Marliere*

* Nic Van der Marliere is both Arts and Humanities Fellow and Law and Criminology Fellow VUB (see page 23)

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YVES GOLDSTEIN

Proximus: Hans De Wolf BIO: Yves Goldstein was the head of cabinet of Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort until the end of 2016. In 2017, he took up a new challenge as project leader of the Cultuurpool Citroën. With this project, the government wants to repurpose the old Citroën garage to accommodate an international culture venue in Brussels.

Project leader Cultuurpool Citroën

“It’s always important that universities do not stay in their ‘tower of Babel’.

This special relationship with society is fundamental if we are to advance shared thinking on the future of our societies.”

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NIC VAN DER MARLIERE

Proximus: Wim Vandenbussche

BIO: Nic Van der Marliere graduated from VUB as a Master of Law. He started his career as an advisor in the domains of education, training and scientific research for the Flemish liberal party. In 1999, he became deputy head of cabinet and spokesperson for Marleen Vanderpoorten, the Flemish minister of education, scientific research and training. From 2002 to 2008, he was a representative of the Flemish government in the UK. After an interval of representation in France, with Unesco, with the OECD and in the Council of Europe from 2008 to 2014, he returned as general representative. He was a member of the board of directors of VUB and a member of the municipal council of Blankenberge, where he was also chair of the liberal group. He was chair of VLD West-Vlaanderen and bears the title of Commander in the Order of the Crown of Belgium.

“VUB is a truly unique institution in the heart of Europe, with a heart for the world.

Its diversity, scientific project and ethical approach are more relevant than ever in a world that’s becoming more violent and intolerant, and in which respect for the human being and human rights is dwindling.”

General Representative of Flanders in the UK

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ENGINEERING FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

ABDELLAH TOUHAFI

Marc De Groote Muzaffer Güler Ali Mohammadi Michael Peeters

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MARC DE GROOTE

Proximus: Jacques Tiberghien BIO: Marc De Groote obtained a Master’s in Civil Engineering at VUB in 1988. He started his career at Callatäy & Wouters as a program manager in 1991 and worked his way up to become CEO in 2007. He helped the company grow from 15 people in 1991 to 650 in 2012, with a revenue of €90 million. In 2015, he was ready for a new challenge and helped a young clean-tech company to get back on track, as CEO. After his successful intervention, the original team took operations back into their own hands. Since 2016, he has been country manager for Belgium at Cegeca, an independent ICT service provider, and he is president of Agoria, an association representing more than 1,700 companies in the technology industry in Belgium.

Country manager Cegeca & Chairman Agoria

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“I aspire to contribute to the notion of ‘Academia meets Society’, and support VUB’s drive for interaction with society to couple science and skills with the needs of the market, through the services delivered by our companies. This will give us a better grasp of the opportunities presented by the ongoing technological revolution.”

MUZAFFER GULER

Proximi: Abdellah Touhafi & Kris Steenhaut BIO: Since 1998, Muzaffer Guler has been CEO of GLR, a manufacturer of roller shutters and screens, and in 2010 he created Zaffer Research & Development. He is an entrepreneur who is always seeking innovative approaches and has several patents to his name. He is a member of Verozo, the Belgian association for roller shutter and blind producers, and was chair of the Turkish-Belgian chamber of commerce in 1996. He was also a commercial attaché in Azerbaijan for the Flemish Service for Foreign Trade until 1998.

“It is a great honour to become a VUB Fellow. This shows the importance that is given by VUB’s engineering faculty to creating a close relationship with innovative SMEs. As an entrepreneur who has learned his trade and the challenges that come with entrepreneurship by thinking outside the box, creating innovative solutions and gradually improving those solutions, I am willing to share my experiences with the next generations of engineers.

As an SME, we are very interested in the new technologies that are being researched in academia. Where VUB has the strength to shed light on the unknown future with its insights, the industry has the strength to translate those insights into new products and services that help society move forward.”

CEO GLR

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ALI MOHAMMADI Proximus: Noshin Omar

BIO: Ali Mohammadi is a Belgian-Iranian senior researcher. In 1999, he gained a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Tokushima University in Japan. He was a professor at Tokushima and Kyoto University for seven years, after which he joined Toyota Motor Europe in 2006, where he is now the senior manager in charge of advanced developments of future powertrains and long-term planning. Having both an academic and an industrial background, he is leading powertrain developments for future sustainable mobility, emphasising the importance of minimising greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. He is involved in several university collaborations, including with VUB. He is also an expert in the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme and has published almost 100 academic articles focusing on sustainable mobility.

Senior manager Toyota Motor Europe

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“I think VUB has tremendous potential to improve future society by training students and carrying out academic projects. My vision is to contribute to this by offering VUB students good training through our joint programme and European projects, internships and so on. In addition, I wish to align university activities towards future social needs by sharing my understanding of the future.�

MICHAEL PEETERS

Proximi: Jan Danckaert & Vincent Ginis BIO: Michael Peeters is head of innovation portfolio management at Nokia. Throughout a career that has spanned two decades and technology disciplines, he has consistently identified and implemented industry opportunities. As CTO for the wireless division at Alcatel-Lucent, his role required him to make sense of the uncertainty that exists when technological possibilities have to be balanced with business-case realities. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and many white papers, and holds patents in the access and photonics domains.

He earned a PhD in Applied Physics and Photonics from VUB, and a Master’s in Electro-technical Engineering.

Head of innovation portfolio management Nokia

“In today’s ever changing, ever accelerating techno-society, innovators have understood the value of fast iterations, of feedback loops of Learn! Build! Measure! Through the Fellowship, I will contribute by not only closing that loop when it comes to improving VUB’s excellence in the field of communications technology, but also by adding angular momentum.”

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KURT LEWIN FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

DOMINIQUE VERTÉ

Chantal Cooreman Sven Gatz Jacky Goris Patrick Van Kerckhove

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CHANTAL COOREMAN

Proximi: Liesbeth De Donder & Karin Vanderkerken BIO: Chantal Cooreman obtained a Master’s in Law and a Master after Master degree in Business Administration and Management, both at VUB. She began her career as an adjunct-advisor at the federal economy ministry. Since 2002, she has been part of His Majesty the King’s household in various functions: as advisor, adjunct-head of cabinet, advisor-director of the petitions and social affairs service, and currently as director of the petitions and social affairs service. In addition, she is a member of the advisory board of the King Baudouin Foundation.

Director of the Petitions and Social Affairs Service of His Majesty King Philippe

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“Active pluralism and open-mindedness lead to quality education and internationally recognised independent research. My ambition as Fellow is to contribute to new initiatives in socio-economic development. By interacting with public authorities, entrepreneurs and citizens, academia provides the necessary support for societal innovation and can transform thinking and behaviour in society.”

SVEN GATZ

Proxima: Free De Backer BIO: Sven Gatz earned his Bachelor and Master in Law at KU Leuven and spent a further year studying at the Université Libre de Bruxelles to specialise in administrative law. He started his political career at the Volksunie but transferred to Open VLD. For 10 years, he was a member of the Brussels parliament. For 12 years he was also involved in the Flemish Parliament, of which he was party leader from 2007 to 2011. His areas of expertise are urban policy, integration and migration, education, youth, culture and Brussels. In 2011 he left politics and became the director of Belgian Brewers, before returning as minister of culture, media, youth and Brussels in 2014.

Minister of culture, media, youth and Brussels

“I appreciate VUB as an open-minded university in a very diverse city like Brussels. The more a university chooses to reach out to society, the more natural it will be to create and maintain organic partnerships instead of more general stakeholder partnerships.”

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JACKY GORIS

Proximus: Koen Lombaerts BIO: Jacky Goris is a VUB alumnus who graduated as Master of Germanic Philology in 1973. He is general director of the public education network GO! in the Brussels school district, acting as an important advocate of the humanistic values of GO! and VUB in the Brussels Capital Region, with a focus on educational equality and quality education for all. He is also very active in connecting VUB and GO! in a strong structural cooperation for Brussels.

General Director Scholengroep Brussel - GO!

“Given its tradition and philosophical inspiration, VUB must play a leading role in the ethical and social discussions we are having – and must have – in our multi-ethnic society.

Our alma mater needs to defend the principles of the secular state, which is the only social structure that can ensure religious and ideological tolerance.”

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PATRICK VAN KERCKHOVE

Proximus: Dominique Verté

BIO: Patrick Van Kerckhove completed the Master’s programme in Economic, Social and Political Sciences & Solvay Business School at VUB in 1987. He has since built up an impressive career at BNP Paribas Fortis. Starting as brand manager in various local departments of the bank, he is now the regional manager of 37 branches in Limburg-Kempen. He is very active in the field of education and has been president of GO! (GemeenschapsOnderwijs) for the past 12 years.

Regio Manager Limburg – Kempen BNP Paribas Fortis

“My choice of VUB was determined by the power of independent thinking, the recalcitrant critical attitude and the social awareness it radiated. It has defined my life and commitments. The interaction between academia and society will allow me, as alumnus and Fellow – even more than before – to translate these values into my professional and extra-professional commitments.”

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LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

GUIDO VAN LIMBERGHEN

Michel De Gols Erik Derycke Chris Reniers Nic Van der Marliere* * Nic Van der Marliere is both Law and Criminology and Arts and Humanities Fellow VUB 2017 (see page 9)

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MICHEL DE GOLS

Proximus: Wilfried Rauws BIO: Michel De Gols is director-general of the directorate of individual labour relations at the federal service for employment, labour and social dialogue. This department’s task is preparing, promoting and implementing individual employment relations policies. In this capacity he represents the labour minister in the National Labour Council. He is also a member of the management committee of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, director of the non-profit Promotion de la diversité ethnique et culturelle sur le marché du travail, and of the Belgian Association for Labour Relations. He is a lawyer by training.

Director-general Algemene Directie Individuele Arbeidsbetrekkingen

“What is important in an academic education is not only the acquisition of knowledge but also the ability to delve into a matter, based on this knowledge. It’s essential that we constantly question our knowledge.”

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ERIK DERYCKE

Proximus: Alain François BIO: Erik Derycke graduated as Master of Law at the University of Ghent in 1972. He was a lawyer for more than 30 years while building a career in politics. His political career started in his hometown, Waregem, where he was OCMW councillor from 1976 to 1988 and thereafter municipal councillor until 2001. From 1978 to 1984 he was provincial councillor of West Flanders, finally becoming federal public representative from 1984 to 2001, state secretary for science policy (1990), minister of development cooperation (1991), state secretary for development cooperation (1991-1995) and minister of foreign affairs and development cooperation (1995). He was also active in European politics as member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, of the Assembly of the Western European Union and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. In 2001, he was appointed a judge in the Constitutional Court. He remains connected to VUB as chair of the board of management at UZ Brussel since 2004.

“In more than 40 years of professional experience at the bar, foreign affairs, international institutions and the Constitutional Court of Belgium, I have faced almost every form of individual and collective success and failure. I have learned throughout these experiences that the fundamental values of the French Revolution, which we also largely find in VUB’s mission statement, are important stepping stones to tackling the rather difficult current global situation. As a small contribution to all those who enabled me to experience this time, I am ready, if necessary, to help students better understand what was and is at stake.”

Judge in the Constitutional Court

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CHRIS RENIERS Proxima: Kaat Leus

BIO: Chris Reniers obtained a Master’s in Law at VUB. She started her career in 1984 at the trade union ACOD as a legal adviser, became head of the legal service and was elected general secretary in 2000. She also serves on the management committee of the HZIV (Hulpkas voor Ziekte- en Invaliditeitsverzekering), is a member of the Flemish Port Commission and has a mandate in the office of the Flemish and the Belgian Federation of Labour (ABVV Brussel). Since 2010, she has been a member of the board of directors of the VRT.

President ACOD

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“I’m very honoured to be offered a Fellowship of VUB. The principles of my alma mater remain a guidance in my personal and professional life. Academia and society are complementary to one another; they reinforce each other and their collaboration will lead to better and stronger solutions in the broad spectrum of challenges that academics face in their research.”

NIC VAN DER MARLIERE

Proximus: Marnix Van Damme

BIO: Nic Van der Marliere graduated from VUB as a Master of Law. He started his career as an advisor in the domains of education, training and scientific research for the Flemish liberal party. In 1999, he became deputy head of cabinet and spokesperson for Marleen Vanderpoorten, the Flemish minister of education, scientific research and training. From 2002 to 2008, he was a representative of the Flemish government in the UK. After an interval of representation in France, with Unesco, with the OECD and in the Council of Europe from 2008 to 2014, he returned as general representative. He was a member of the board of directors of VUB and a member of the municipal council of Blankenberge, where he was also chair of the liberal group. He was chair of VLD West-Vlaanderen and bears the title of Commander in the Order of the Crown of Belgium.

“VUB is a truly unique institution in the heart of Europe, with a heart for the world.

Its diversity, scientific project and ethical approach are more relevant than ever in a world that’s becoming more violent and intolerant, and in which respect for the human being and human rights is dwindling.”

General Representative of Flanders in the UK

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LK FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

ERIC CATTRYSSE

Veronique Feipel

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VERONIQUE FEIPEL Proximus: Eric Cattrysse

BIO: Véronique Feipel gained a degree in Physical Therapy, an aggregation to higher secondary education degree and a PhD in Physical Therapy from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. She is currently a professor and instructor of anatomy and research methodology at ULB’s Faculty for Motor Sciences and director of the Laboratory of Functional Anatomy. She is also a member of the International Society of Biomechanics EDC group and of the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics Council.

Professor and Instructor of Anatomy and Research Methodology ULB

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“VUB and ULB move hand in hand as free-thinking research and education institutions in the heart of Europe. They are both recognised as internationally open universities and base their philosophy on the principle of free inquiry. For me, the Fellowship is a great opportunity to contribute to and support this vision.”

SCIENCE FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

FREYA BLEKMAN

Ghislain Decadt Frank De Winne Frank Vandendriessche

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GHISLAIN DECADT

Proximi: Marc Elskens & Martine Leermakers BIO: In 1984, Dr Ghislain Decadt joined BP, one of the world’s leading integrated oil and gas companies, on the ethylene oxide & derivatives site in Antwerp. Since then, he has held a variety of manufacturing positions in Belgium, the UK, France and Germany, all on INEOS petrochemical sites. In 2007, he was operations director of INEOS ABS, and in 2011 he joined the ChlorVinyls business as operations director.

In total he has 31 years’ experience in petrochemicals, with four years in health, safety, environment & quality, three in research & development and 24 in manufacturing management.

Operations Director INEOS Oxide

“The VUB Fellowship offers the opportunity to meet visionary academic, industrial and society leaders to discuss inventive, innovative and creative views on the future of human beings and their environment.”

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FRANK DE WINNE

Proxima: Dominique Maes BIO: Frank De Winne obtained a Master’s in Telecommunications and Civil engineering at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels. He became a pilot in the Belgian Air Force in 1992 and was selected as an astronaut by ESA in 1998. In 2002, he was board commander of ESA’s OdISSea mission to the International Space Station (ISS), and in 2009 he spent six months on board of the ISS during the OasISS mission. In 2012, he was appointed head of the European Astronaut Centre HRE-A Department in Cologne.

“Universities will play an increasing role in shaping the future of society. Firstly, more and more people have a university degree and as such will have a larger impact on all areas of society.

Secondly, I believe that policies and decision-making should increasingly be based on foresight and scientific research of the development of our world. Think of climate change, the additive manufacturing revolution, energy independence, the internet of things and so on. Therefore, helping to create better links between academia and society is very close to my heart.”

Head of the European Astronaut Centre Department HRE-A

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FRANK VANDENDRIESSCHE Proximus: Frédéric Leroy

BIO: After obtaining his Master’s as an engineer in Chemistry and Agro-industry at Ghent University and initiating a PhD in Meat Technology at the same institution, Frank Vandendriessche started a long-reaching career in the meat industry. He played an active role in the expansion of the family-owned company Imperial into a major player within Europe and beyond. Within the group, he obtained an influential position as research & development manager and quality assurance manager. He has been an industrial partner in many research projects on a national and European level (including bilateral industrial projects with IWT, collaborative research projects of the Flanders’ FOOD platform, and joint research projects within the EU-FAIR programme).

Director R&D-QA Knowledge Center Campofrio Food Group

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“Academic research ensures the long-term existence of humankind. ‘Academia meets Society’ is a bridge between research and its application in everyday life. The food sector still needs to intensify the practical application of research, something the concept of Fellowship may significantly contribute to. Collaboration with VUB is highly appreciated for the quality of its people and the level of research it carries out.”

SOLVAY FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

ELVIRA HAEZENDONCK

André Céron Tamara De Bruecker Ann Peuteman Frank Van Massenhove Vincent Verouden | 35

ANDRÉ CÉRON

Proxima: Cathy Macharis BIO: André Céron graduated as an Industrial Engineer in Electromechanics (KIHA) and has a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Vlerick Ghent. He started his career as a project engineer for heavy metallic constructions. Later, he worked in the automotive industry for Volkswagen Group for more than 10 years.

Over the past 18 years he has developed his career in supply chain at the Colruyt Group, where he has been director supply chain non-food since 2008.

Director Supply Chain Non-Food Colruyt Group

“As a Fellow of the VUB, I experience real partnership through which we learn, challenge and inspire each other. I am convinced that our co-creative thinking will lead to new and innovative ways of making our world better. I’m grateful to be a part of that.”

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TAMARA DE BRUECKER Proximus: Fons Van Dyck

BIO: Tamara De Bruecker graduated as a Solvay Business Engineer from VUB in 1990.

She has a long and outstanding track record in marketing and communications at Flemish public transport operator De Lijn, Procter & Gamble and now De Persgroep Publishing. In 2015, she won a Gold Effie Award – the most prestigious award in marketing – for a De Lijn marketing campaign.

Chief Marketing Officer De Persgroep

“I am very grateful to be returning to VUB thanks to this Fellowship.

It’s an opportunity to share my expertise as a marketeer with the university community. Engaging with stakeholders, including academia, through a more participative process is an enriching way of arriving at new insights and visions for solutions that improve our daily lives and the world we live in.”

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ANN PEUTEMAN

Proximus: Leo Van Audenhove BIO: Ann Peuteman studied Germanic philology at Ghent University and afterwards went straight to work for the newspaper Het Volk. In 1999, she left to spend a year as spokesperson in the early days of the Verhofstadt cabinet. In the summer of 2000, she joined Knack as sub-editor and became a government reporter. Alongside her work for Knack, she can regularly be heard on the radio, as well as moderating live events. From time to time she gives guest lectures and has previously given writing classes at HUB and Plantijn Hogeschool.

Journalist Knack

“My questions often make academics reflect, and can even inspire them to start new research, while their unexpected answers give me a new perspective on a story. Not only can we make each other curious, we can also provide each other with knowledge, as academics focus on scientific research and my stories are mostly inspired by everyday life.�

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FRANK VAN MASSENHOVE

Proximus: Ignace Glorieux

BIO: After graduating from Ghent University as Master of Law, Frank Van Massenhove began his career as a labour schemes expert in the Flemish government. From 1995 to 1999 he was chief of staff to the mayor of Ghent and from 1999 to 2002 chief of staff to the Belgian minister of social affairs. He then became president of the Belgian federal social security service, and in 2007 he was awarded the title of Government Manager of the Year.

President of the Belgian Federal Social Security Service

“‘Make others happy’ was my mother’s command. ‘Be brave for others’ was my father’s. Without knowing, I’ve lived by those standards ever since. A university must spread those values, otherwise it becomes a job factory.”

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VINCENT VEROUDEN Proxima: Caroline Buts

BIO: Vincent Verouden is a Dutch national who gained a PhD in Economics from Tilburg University in 2001. From 2000 to 2004, he worked in the European Commission’s Merger Task Force, where he was involved in the review of mergers and acquisitions across a range of sectors. In 2004, he became a member of the Chief Economist Team, where he worked extensively in the area of state aid control. In 2012, he was appointed deputy chief economist and was heavily involved in the various reform proposals in the Commission’s state aid modernisation programme. He is currently director at the Brussels office of E.CA Economics.

Director E.CA economics

“VUB is renowned for its capacity to ‘think free’ – within the boundaries of academic discipline. My ambition is to interact with VUB staff to compare and confront my own professional expertise with their academic insights and rigour, to mutual benefit.”

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UMC FELLOWS VUB 2017 FACULTY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

DIRK DEVROEY

Lutgarde Buydens Paul Callewaert Pim Drinkenburg Karine Moykens

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LUTGARDE BUYDENS

Proximus: Yvan Vander Heyden BIO: Lutgarde Buydens graduated with honours as Master of Science in Pharmacy, with an additional major in Informatics, from VUB. In 1989, she became an associate professor for the Faculty of Science at Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen and a full professor in 1995. She has published more than 250 academic articles and almost 300 conference papers. In recent years, she has integrated concepts and methods from disciplines such as statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, datamining and chemical knowledge for data analysis in areas including environmental contamination, food research and brain tumour diagnostics. In 2016, she became dean of the Faculty of Science at Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen. Since 2010, she has been a member of the board of the research institute TI-COAST.

Dean Faculty of Science Radboud University Nijmegen

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“The societal impact of universities is primarily achieved through its alumni. Educating students to become critical academic world citizens is therefore a prime task for universities. I see my Fellowship as a link in the chain between universities, disciplines and countries to contribute in this way to this privileged task.�

PAUL CALLEWAERT

Proximus: Mark Leys

BIO: Paul Callewaert is secretary-general of the national union of socialistic mutualities, which is, with 3 million members, the second greatest health fund in Belgium.

Paul holds a master in social and political sciences, specialized in social security and organization technologies from the university of Antwerp. He combined both fields of expertise in his first job at NUSM as IT project leader healthcare, where he became the vice director of the IT department.

He further developed the ‘social franchise’, the predecessor of the ‘maximumfactuur’, which is considered as one of the most important, effective and efficient social protection measures in healthcare insurance. At the same time he guided the mutualities in the electronic network of social security.

From 2000 until 2011 he was head of a local mutuality in Antwerp where he was touched by the problems and difficulties from people with health problems. Since 2012 he is secretary-general. With passion, he defends the rights of patients and protects their access to qualitative healthcare and health. For Paul, the only right way to achieve this is via solidarity and public financing.

Secretary-general National Union Socialist Mutualities

“Only when I can see that my individual contribution has lent the professional and technical aspects of academic education to the practice of social life and components of social reality will I consider my Fellowship to be successful.”

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PIM DRINKENBURG

Proxima: Ilse Smolders

BIO: Pim Drinkenburg gained his PhD in Comparative and Physiological Psychology from Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen. He has held an academic position at the same institute, a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Neurology and Psychiatry in Budapest, a postdoctoral fellowship at the MRC Neurochemical Pathology in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a honorary lectureship at Newcastle University. He became head of the behavioural pharmacology and EEG group at Organon Laboratories in the UK and now works at Janssen Pharmaceutica in Beerse. He has published more than 100 scientific papers in international journals and holds various patents. He received the prestigious J&J Hofmann Award for outstanding scientific contributions to drug discovery and development and the SPARK Innovation Award.

Head Neuroscience Systems Biology Janssen Pharmaceutica Research & Development

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“Tackling the huge intellectual challenge of discovering treatments for complex brain diseases requires an effort that can only succeed within a close collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Mindful of the late Dr Paul Janssen’s adage that ‘the patients are waiting’, I see the VUB Fellowship as a superb platform to catalyse such efforts.”

KARINE MOYKENS Proximus: Marc Noppen

BIO: Karine Moykens obtained a Master’s in Classical Philosophy and Languages at Ghent University. She began her political career as head of cabinet of Flanders’ ministry of welfare, public health and family from 2004 to 2013. In 2014, she was appointed secretary-general of the department. She is also socially engaged in numerous organisations: as a member of the national board of the Red Cross Flanders, managing director of Vlaams Agentschap voor Samenwerking rond Gegevensdeling tussen de Actoren in de Zorg, and vice-president of MOVI, a voluntary network of civil servants in Flanders.

“The challenges we stand for in our society can only find the right answers if we work with innovative researchers such as the members of academia. Universities and politics need to provide the necessary financial and personal resources to keep Flanders on the international map of outstanding research and development centres in several strategic research domains.”

Secretary-general Departement Welzijn, Volksgezondheid en Gezin – Vlaamse overheid

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VUB FELLOWS 2017 UNIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR:

HUGO THIENPONT

Bilal Benyaich Sihame El Kaouakibi Lieve Wierinck

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BILAL BENYAICH

Proxima: Caroline Pauwels BIO: As a student at VUB, Bilal Benyaich was very engaged in organisations such as the Student Council and Kif Kif, an NGO battling inequality and racism. After completing his Master’s in Political Sciences, he started working at the SERV, Flanders’ socialeconomic council, where, as an adviser, he handled employment and social economy issues. Simultaneously he carried out research on radicalisation as a volunteer research assistant in the political science department at VUB. Based on this, he published, among other things, the following books: Islam and Radicalization in Moroccans in Brussels (2013), Twelve Twelve, Time for Another Migration and Integration Policy (2014) and #Radicalism #Extremism #Terrorism (2015). He is currently working as a diplomat at the Belgian ministry of foreign affairs.

Diplomat FOD Buitenlandse Zaken

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“My Alma Mater, VUB, is an excellent science hub. Moreover, it’s a meeting space of science and policy. As a Belgian diplomat based in Ankara but frequently in Brussels, I’m honoured to be a VUB Fellow. I hope to contribute to the dialogue between diplomacy and academia. Now more than ever, different domains and layers of working life have to meet but also be complementary. Policy can only be effective if it is evidence-based. Although there is no such thing as irrelevant science, science can only be truly transformative if it contributes to a better society.”

SIHAME EL KAOUAKIBI

Proxima: Caroline Pauwels

BIO: While gaining her Master’s in Educational Sciences at VUB, Sihame El Kaouakibi also started a social project, Let’s Go Urban. What started off as a small afterschool project in urban culture grew into a successful social enterprise. Alongside her projects, she built her own consultancy company, A Woman’s View, creating new brands to help companies connect with younger generations. In 2014, she started another social business, POINT URBAN, with the aim of closing the physical and digital gap between companies and younger generations, to ensure that potential, in all its colours and shapes, finds its way to businesses. She is also on the board of directors at VRT and has received multiple awards, including Belgium’s Outstanding Young Person in 2012 and Straffe Madam Award in 2013.

“As a serial social entrepreneur, my mission is to invest today in tomorrow’s people. The title Fellow of VUB is a beautiful acknowledgment of social entrepreneurship from the academic world, and recognition that we, as a society, must be involved with all actors in developing perspectives, tearing down social and economic walls and investing in new generations. Knowledge and experience go together. I therefore strongly believe in the mutual added value of this partnership.”

Serial social entrepreneur (Let’s Go Urban, LGU Academy, A Woman’s View)

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LIEVE WIERINCK

Proximus: Bram Vanderborght BIO: Lieve Wierinck obtained a Master’s in Pharmacy at VUB and subsequently worked as an independent pharmacist in Zaventem for almost 30 years. She was a member of the town council, chair of the public centre for social welfare and a city councillor in Zaventem. In 2011, she became a member of the Belgian parliament, where she was heavily involved in legislation related to the national health system. In 2015 she became national chair of the women’s fraction within Open VLD, and in 2016 she became one of the 21 Belgian members in the European Parliament.

Member of European Parliament

“Both as a pharmacist and, later in life, as a politician, I was active in professions where ‘Academia meets Society’.

After obtaining my degrees at VUB, I was fully prepared to start my career. I am convinced that now more than ever, our society needs unprejudiced, free-thinking professionals, inspired by Poincaré’s words.”

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Fellows VUB – Class of 2016

Fellows VUB – Class of 2015

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86 FELLOWS VUB ARTS AND HUMANITIES FELLOWS

2017

Yves Goldstein Nic Van der Marliere (also Law and Criminology Fellow)

2016

Hans Alma Kristine De Mulder Sophie De Schaepdrijver Faroek Özgünes Katleen Van Langendonck

2015

Stefan Blommaert Frans Boenders Paul Dujardin Hendrik Pinxten Christina von Wackerbarth ENGINEERING FELLOWS

2017

Marc De Groote Muzaffer Güler Ali Mohammadi Michael Peeters 52 |

2016

Marco Croon Christ’l Joris Ingrid Van de Voorde

2015

Peter Grognard Martine Tempels Chris Wuytens KURT LEWIN FELLOWS

2017

Chantal Cooreman Sven Gatz Jacky Goris Patrick Van Kerckhove

2016

Johan De Muynck Godelieve Van den Brande

2015

Ingrid Lieten Koen Maertens

LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY FELLOWS

2017

Michel De Gols Erik Derycke Chris RENIERS Nic Van der Marliere (also Arts and Humanities Fellow)

2016

Patrick Hofströssler Gunther Sleeuwagen Lutgarde Sommerijns Stefan Yee

2015

Vincent Lambrecht David Van Herreweghe LK FELLOWS

2017

Veronique Feipel

2016

Constantino Balestra Alain De Greef

2015

David Steegen Sonia Van Den Broeck SCIENCE FELLOWS

2017

Ghislain Decadt Frank De Winne Frank Vandendriessche

2016

Jan Bogaerts Patrick Roggemans Els Torreele

2015

Marc Schepers SOLVAY FELLOWS

2017

André Céron Tamara De Bruecker Ann Peuteman Frank Van Massenhove Vincent Verouden

2016

Luc Bontemps Willem Debeuckelaere Anouk Lagae Martin Larch Nico Reeskens

2015

Thierry Geerts Isabelle Meunier Wim van Hees UMC FELLOWS

2017

Lutgarde Buydens Paul Callewaert Pim Drinkenburg Karine Moykens

2016

Peter Degadt Paul Deneve Martin Paul Johan Uvin Ilse Weeghmans

2015

Yves Desmet Raf Mertens Yves Vandenberghe Caroline Verlinde VUB FELLOWS

2017

Bilal Benyaich Sihame El Kaouakibi Lieve Wierinck

2016

Koenraad Van Loo

2015

Els Ampe Karel De Gucht Pamela Peeters Ajit Baron Shetty Raymonda Verdyck

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39 HONORARY FELLOWS VUB VUB HONORARY ENGINEERING FELLOWS Line Alderweireldt Dirk Boogmans René De Keyzer Kathleen Dupont Philip Hermans Pol Hoorelbeke Lieve Paternoster Yves Pianet Jan Vliegen Jan Watté HONORARY KURT LEWIN FELLOWS Patrick Coulier Telidja Klaï HONORARY LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY FELLOWS Michèle Coninsx Véronique Pertry

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HONORARY LK FELLOWS Eddy Desmedt Marc Frederix Yves Geysels Willy Smeets HONORARY SCIENCE FELLOWS Ingrid Daubechies Bart Degeest Jean-Marie Solvay Guy Van Lommen HONORARY SOLVAY FELLOWS Karsten De Clercq Lieven Deketele Luc Lallemand Chantal Pattyn Micheline Scheys Michel Van den Broeck Joséphine Rebecca Vanden Broucke

Olivier Vanden Eynde Ludo Vandervelden Dominique Vercraeye Xavier Verhaeghe

HONORARY UMC FELLOWS Luc Adriaenssens Yolande Avontroodt Maggie De Block Jo De Cock Dirk Dewolf Patricia Lanssiers

CONTACT

At the university level, the general management and common activities of the Fellowship program are coordinated by the Fellowship Office.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel [A] Pleinlaan 2 – 1050 Brussel [T] +32 (0)2 629 11 83 [E] fellows@vub.be [W] www.vub.be/fellowship/

VUB FELLOWSHIP OFFICE Isabelle Marneffe Fellowship manager [E] isabelle.marneffe@vub.be [T] +32 (0)2 629 15 42

gedrukt op FSC-papier

Hanan Belaraj Fellowship coordinator [E] hanan.belaraj@vub.be [T] +32 (0)2 629 11 83 | 55

V.U. Caroline Pauwels, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel