On 19 May 2026, the Board of Directors of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel approved a new cohort of Fellows. With this appointment, the VUB welcomes 18 new Fellows: leading figures from business, academia, the media, the arts and culture sector, and civil society. Over the next three years, they will serve on a voluntary basis as ambassadors for the university, sharing their vision, knowledge and expertise with the VUB, its faculties, students, researchers and university hospital (UZ Brussel).
Among the new Fellows are columnist and tax specialist Fouad Gandoul, Public Prosecutor Franky De Keyzer, Jana Van Acker, and Nils Duquet. The VUB also welcomes Serge Molinari, Peter Landschützer, and Veerle Vanden Daelen as Fellows. Together, they bring a broad range of expertise in areas including artificial intelligence, peace and security, sustainability, social justice, entrepreneurship, health, and inclusion.
A network of bridge-builders with impact
With their appointment, the new Fellows join the VUB Fellowship: a network of committed leaders and experts who dedicate their knowledge, experience and professional networks to supporting the VUB, its eight faculties and UZ Brussel. Fellows are nominated by the faculties, the Rector and the Vice-Rectors. They are recognised for both their societal impact and their professional expertise. Through guest lectures, mentoring, policy advice and collaboration with students and researchers, they help strengthen the connection between the university and wider society.
Although they come from diverse backgrounds, they share a common belief: that universities play a vital role in building an inclusive, sustainable and just society. Since the programme was launched in 2012, more than 300 Fellows and Honorary Fellows have become part of the network. Their commitment reinforces the VUB’s position as a critical, connected and forward-looking university.
The official inauguration of the new Fellows will take place on 25 February 2027.
Overview of the 2026 Fellows of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
SOLVAY FELLOWS
Serge Molinari, CEO – Siemens BeLux
Nils Duquet, Director – Flemish Peace Institute
Jana Van Acker, Director – Women’s Council
Lynn Tytgat, CEO – TheMerode
Dirk Van Evercooren, Independent energy expert – 2degNRG
LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY FELLOWS
Eve Vlemincx, Lecturer – Stanford Graduate School of Business; founder & advisor – E’levate Advisory
Franky De Keyzer, Public Prosecutor – Public Prosecution Service Antwerp
Steven Claes, Country Managing Partner – EY Belgium
SCIENCE FELLOWS
Eve Vlemincx, Lecturer – Stanford Graduate School of Business; founder & advisor – E’levate Advisory
Franky De Keyzer, Public Prosecutor – Public Prosecution Service Antwerp
Steven Claes, Country Managing Partner – EY Belgium
ARTS AND HUMANITIES FELLOWS
Hannes De Durpel, Coordinator – Flemish Sign Language Centre
Veerle Vanden Daelen, Curator & Coordinator Collections and Research – Kazerne Dossin
UMC FELLOWS
Philippe De Backer, Managing Director Public Affairs – KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co)
​ENGINEERING FELLOWS
Abdelkarim Bellafkih, Managing Director – Flanders Hydraulics
MOVEMENT AND REHABILITATION FELLOWS
Marc Bogaerts, Artistic director & choreographer – Bogaertsproductions / Cirque de S.P.O.R.T
​VUB FELLOWS
Fouad Gandoul, Tax expert – ACV Limburg; judge in social affairs – Federal Public Service Justice; columnist – De Tijd / Het Belang van Limburg
Dorien Vandormael, Cabinet advisor – Cabinet for Welfare and Poverty Reduction, Culture and Equal Opportunities