AKIRA HIRUMA

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF BOARD, HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS JAPAN

Proximus Hugo Thienpont

TRAINING I WAS PRIVILEGED TO RECEIVE AS A VUB STUDENT FORMED A GREAT BASIS FOR GETTING STARTED IN PROFESSIONAL LIFE. I AM HONOURED, AS A VUB FELLOW, TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE MY EXPERIENCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE “CONNECTING ACADEMIA AND SOCIETY” PROGRAM.”

CEO, AZTEQ

Proxima Karin Vanderkerken

Akira Hiruma graduated from Rutgers State University of New Jersey and has headed six companies. He holds several directorships and now leads Japanese photonics company Hamamatsu Photonics. He is also co-founder of the VUB Hamamatsu Applied Photonics Innovation chair, which enables exchanges of students, researchers and professors. This can serve as an example for creating links with innovative Japanese companies.

Akira Hiruma has a wide network that allows VUB to create better collaboration with Japanese industry and universities. The EU has opened up funding for projects between European institutions and Japanese companies on key technologies. Exploring researcher exchange programmes, with Brussels Photonics as a test case, is a possibility. Collaborations are planned on innovation support models for SMEs in Japan and Europe, and meetings between Flemish, European and Japanese policymakers.

Koen Vermout obtained a degree in civil electronics engineering from VUB and an MBA from UHasselt. After a career at Alcatel and Nexans, where he held various operational and general management positions in Europe, Asia and Africa, he is now co-founder and CEO of Azteq. He brings expertise in operational excellence, developing operations in high-growth environments and leading high-performing international teams.

Koen Vermout’s experience in company management is invaluable, as is his vision of better integrating management aspects. He has broad international experience and will be invited to participate in the think tank set up by the Vice-Rectorate of Internationalisation, with the aim of optimising and integrating internationalisation into the university’s day-to-day operations and degree programmes.