Good-looking people enough at the VUB. But do you still recognize them? As part of our 50th anniversary, we knocked on the door of some VUB professors and asked them to take a look at their old photo archive and give us a photo from their student days. And admit it... often with hilariously surprising results. Also surprising are their anecdotes, maybe not for VUB-experts, but hilarious the more.

Who are we looking for?

After obtaining the diploma’s at Licentiate in Physical Education and Licentiate Leisure Agogics, he started as a teacher in Secundary School. In the meantime he finalized a PhD and since 2000 was appointed professor of Sports Sociology, Sports and Sports Policy. His ambitions lead him as a researcher and guest lecturer at other universities. But also lead to more responsability as Dean of his faculty and ulimately during a double term as Rector of our university. Today, he remains more than a remarkable bet for the VUB. But you, students, will surely remember him as a real leader who has developed the VUB campuses and organization into the attractive environment they are today.

Indeed, the young man in this picture is the one and only professor Paul De Knop.

Read more below the images and discover the VUB-anecdote of professor De Knop.

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The anecdote of De Knop

“One day in my capacity as Rector, I would introduce a symposium in our Promotion Aula in building D. On my way I observe a young woman who clearly seeks the way. I ask her if I can help her ? She replies she is a student at another Flemish University, trying to find her way to the VUB-Promotion   Aula. I offer to accompany her. Very pleased she accepts the offer and asks : “Do you work here?”. I reply that I am the rector of the VUB. More than surprised she responds: “And you are willing to lead me to my destination?”. Smiling I answer this is totally ‘normal’ at the VUB. After which she drops: “Oh, that’s very different at our university!".

"The VUB exists 50 year and functions as a real equal family. Both past and present there is a great accessibility and professors are easily accessible and available for their students and colleagues. This is also our rector."

Do you also recognize these professors?