DIRK ROOSENDANS

Simon De Boeck graduated from UGent and ETSAB Barcelona in 2005. He is the mayor of Gooik and is responsible for public works, spatial planning, mobility, police, security, Flemish character, finance, civil status and intermunicipal cooperation. As mayor, he is an important figure in the development and expansion of the VUB campus and the VUB Photonics Innovation Centre in Gooik.

IS AT THE SAME TIME TO BE STRONGLY EMBEDDED IN LOCAL SOCIETY. AN INSPIRING AND CONSTRUCTIVE COLLABORATION WITH POLICY MAKERS, EVEN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, PROPELS

TALENT DEVELOPMENT FROM THE ABSOLUTE BASICS TO A HIGHER LEVEL.

IT IS A GREAT HONOUR TO ME TO HELP BUILD THAT.”

The VUB STEAM academy is expected to develop in the coming years, with the aim of informing as many young people as possible from the Flemish periphery and further afield about the importance of science and technology, and what VUB can offer. Discussions are taking place on the development of plots acquired by VUB. The collaboration with Gooik creates visibility in the Halle-Vilvoorde area, where the Faculty of Engineering recruits a significant number of students every year.