On Tuesday, 3 June 2025, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) welcomed 24 new fellows during a festive ceremony at the University Foundation in Brussels. The fellows are leading figures from the business world, academia, media, culture, and civil society. Over the next three years, they will voluntarily serve as ambassadors, sharing their vision, knowledge, and expertise with the university, its faculties, students, researchers, and university hospital (UZ Brussel).
Among the new fellows are former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Carine Lucas, digital transformation expert at Agoria. During the ceremony, they spoke about the role of universities in a changing world and the crucial importance of STEM education. At a time when facts and science are increasingly under pressure, the evening was more than a celebration. It was a moment to reflect on critical thinking, academic freedom, and cross-sector collaboration. The University Foundation, a meeting place for academics and policymakers since 1920, provided the setting for the occasion.
A network of bridge-builders with impact
With their appointment, the new fellows join the VUB Fellowship: a network of engaged leaders and experts who contribute their knowledge, experience, and networks to the VUB, its eight faculties, and its university hospital UZ Brussel. They are nominated by the faculties, the rector, and vice-rectors and stand out for their societal impact and subject-matter authority. Fellows contribute through guest lectures, mentoring, policy advice, and collaboration with students and researchers. They come from diverse fields but share a common belief that universities play a key role in building an inclusive, sustainable, and just society.
Since the program’s launch in 2012, more than two hundred fellows have joined the network. Their commitment reinforces the role of VUB as an Urban Engaged University: critical, connected, and forward-looking.
Jan Danckaert, Rector of VUB:
"Our society needs science that serves the public interest. Only by continuously connecting with the world around us can we build a sustainable, just, and open future."
Peter Schelkens, Vice-Rector of Innovation & Valorisation and Fellowship Coordinator:
"By contributing to public debate, collaborating with communities, and supporting policy, VUB ensures its knowledge directly benefits society. VUB fellows play a key role in this: as visionary bridge-builders between academia and practice, they strengthen the societal impact of our education and research."
An overview of the 24 VUB fellows 2025
SOLVAY FELLOWS
Dirk Declerck – CEO, Port Oostende
Christophe Segaert – Voorzitter, Solvay Schools Alumni
Ludovic Thybergin – Vice President, Solvay Schools Alumni
Inge Vanbeveren – Secretaris-generaal, Instituut van de Bedrijfsrevisoren
LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY FELLOWS
Eddy Storms – Voormalig Eerste Voorzitter DBRC (Dienst van de Vlaamse Bestuursrechtscolleges)
Christopher Van Hemelryck-Bray – CEO, The Media House
Helga Van Peer – Advocaat en erkend bemiddelaar
Philip Willekens – Directeur-generaal Veiligheid en Preventie, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken
SCIENCE FELLOWS
Carine Lucas – Cluster lead IT and digital transformation, Agoria
ARTS AND HUMANITIES FELLOWS
Jo Angouri – Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education and Internationalization, University of Warwick
Marta Dziewańska – Curator, Kanal-Centre Pompidou
Geertje Slangen – Taalraadsvrouw, VRT
Toon Van Mierlo – Programmator, Passa Porta
PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES FELLOWS
Bram Dewolfs – Directeur, Urban Foxes
UMC FELLOWS
Mark Vaeck – CEO, Complix
ENGINEERING FELLOWS
Thomas Geernaert – Beleidsadviseur, VARIO
Jo Severyns – Manager Internationale Relaties & Adviseur R&D, Aquafin
MOVEMENT AND REHABILITATION FELLOWS
Elisabeth Matthys – Partner, Stibbe
Philippe Paquay – Administrateur-generaal, Sport Vlaanderen
VUB FELLOWS
Julie Bynens – Secretaris-generaal, Departement Kanselarij & Buitenlandse Zaken, Vlaamse Overheid
Alexander De Croo – Voormalig Premier & Burgemeester van Brakel
Jarmo Eskelinen – CEO, Citycraft LTD. & Senior Advisor, Aalto University School of Business, CKIR
Gerard Van Acker – Voormalig voorzitter, BI³Fund
Maarten Van Alstein – Senior onderzoeker, Vlaams Vredesinstituut