Together, we inspire successful futures
Have you met our VUB Fellows? Each year we welcome a new class of Fellows to jointly strengthen the ties between Academia and Society. “VUB Fellow” is a title bestowed upon unique personalities such as top-level company executive officers or company staff members, visionary politicians or decision makers, and leading figures of civil society organisations. The Fellowship is the highest grade of membership for our Alma Mater.
Prof. Hugo Thienpont
Where academia and society meet
Since Vrije Universiteit Brussel initiated its Fellowship programme with five Solvay Fellows in 2012, the VUB Fellowship not only has had a significant impact, it definitely has changed our university. Our Fellows have improved the quality of our research and our education, the employability of our graduates and our overall capacity for innovation and competitiveness.
For the seventh time now we are privileged to warmly welcome a new class of Fellows. They will help us to further connect academia and society.
Through the VUB Fellowship Programme, all who are involved discuss joint challenges, exchange experiences, share good practices and learn from one another for the benefit of research, innovation, academic education and society in general.
“VUB Fellow” is the highest grade of membership at our Alma Mater, a title bestowed upon unique personalities: top level business people, visionary decision makers, socially relevant personalities.
This year we are introducing 37 new Fellows. In total, VUB now has almost one hundred outstanding Fellows and 24 Honorary Fellows, who have agreed to continue their commitment.
Vicerector Hugo Thienpont
University Fellowship Coordinator
University Fellowship Coordinator
Prof. Hugo Thienpont
Phone
+32-2-6291183
fellowship@vub.ac.be
University Fellowship Coordinator
Prof. Hugo Thienpont
Phone
+32-2-6291183
FELLOWSHIP@VUB.AC.BE
Honorary Fellow Xavier Verhaeghe
On December 4th, 2019, Xavier Verhaeghe, honorary VUB Solvay fellow, shared his 25-year + knowledge on corporate strategy with a group of our MSc Management Students. About 150 students from more than 50 nationalities got a better understanding of the current rapidly changing technological environment driving corporations, followed by concrete examples how leading companies use merger and acquisitions (M&As) as a strategy tool and capability of their own to remain competitive in this context. Having been personally involved in more than 90 M&A processes while at Oracle, and now as a partner at PwC, Xavier provided students with a deep understanding on challenges in M&A contexts such as target selection, post-merger integration, and other risks.
Fellow Dirk Brossé
Op 30 november 2019 vond bij de faculteit Letteren & Wijsbegeerte de plechtige diploma-uitreiking plaats. Fellow Dirk Brossé hield een begeesterende graduation speech. Hij moedigde de pas gediplomeerden aan om altijd naar de beste versie van henzelf te streven en illustreerde zijn advies met verhalen uit zijn eigen carrière. Als slot verrastte hij de aanwezigen op een mini-concertje waarbij hij op een precolombiaans fluitje speelde.
Ook onze Fellows Faroek Özgünes en Stefan Blommaert waren aanwezig.
University Fellowship Coordinator
Prof. Hugo Thienpont
Phone
+32-2-6291183
FELLOWSHIP@VUB.AC.BE
Fellowship Networking Cocktail at Solvay
The VUB organized its 2nd Fellowship Network Cocktail this year on November 26th. Honorary Fellow Jean-Marie Solvay has given the Fellows a unique insight into the history of the International Solvay Institutes. You can view the pictures of the beautiful evening via the link.
Photos taken by Thierry Geenen
Fellowship Ceremony 2019
This year's Fellowship Ceremony took place on June 21 at the Palace of the Academies in Brussels. Twenty two new Fellows were introduced, among which Dalila Hermans, a noted journalist and commentator in Flanders, Oxfam director Eva Smets and CEO of Club Bruges Vincent Mannaerts.
The photos were taken by Thierry Geenen
Fellowship Networking Cocktail 2019
The annual Fellowship networking cocktail took place on March 20 at ETAP Lighting. Our host was Fellow Christl Joris, president of ETAP. The guests had the privilege of being introduced to ETAP and the many possibilities that light has to offer. The interesting presentations were followed by a tour at the impressive light showroom.
The photos were taken by Thierry Geenen
Fellowship Ceremony 2018
37 new Fellows were inaugurated during the official inauguration ceremony on June 21th in the Concert Noble. Rector Caroline Pauwels held the welcome speech and Vicerector Innovation and Valorisation Hugo Thienpont emphasized the importance of the Fellows network among the guests.
The keynote was brought by Minister of Finance, Budget and External Relations, Guy Vanhengel. The Minister spoke about the city of Brussels, as the largest student city in Belgium.
After the official program there was an opportunity to network during a walking dinner.
The photos were taken by Thierry Geenen
Fellowship Networking Cocktail 2018
The annual Fellowship networking cocktail took place on March 26th at RSC Anderlecht. Our host was Fellow David Steegen, Head Communication, RSCA Media Platform & Fan Engagement.
The theme of the evening was "The power of RSC Anderlecht's media platform". More than 100 guests participated in this networking evening.
The photos were taken by Inge Snijders