We know him primarily as the US correspondent for VRT NWS but Björn Soenens has built an impressive track record. His professional career began with a degree in English and French from the Provincial College for Translators and Interpreters (PHVT) in Ghent, which is now Applied Linguistics at Ghent University.
Many students get to know each other through their passion for music: in the student choir or orchestra. But as soon as you graduate, this musical journey stops. Or doesn't it?
Now that he has retired, he has written a letter to his 18-year-old self. So what message does he have for young Geert as he is about to embark on a master’s degree in Educational Sciences at Ghent University?
Marianne De Backer is a heavyweight in the world of biotechnology. Today she is CEO of Vir Biotechnology, a biotech company headquartered in Silicon Valley. She is a champion of women in leadership positions in this still male-dominated industry.
On February 23, three Ghent University alumni walked the red carpet in Hollywood to receive a prestigious award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known for the Oscars.
The role of alumni within any university is not to be underestimated. “Our contact with ex-students is immensely important for so many reasons: research, education, reputation, talent management and more besides…. ,” maintains Emeritus Professor Kristiaan Versluys.
Serhat Yildirim (26) just completed his final exams in medicine after which he will start at the prestigious Harvard University. He was admitted for the two-year master's degree in Global Health Delivery.
Ghent university has a global network. Through international research projects, collaboration agreements with other universities, exchange programmes, ... And also through its many alumni, who fly off in all directions after their studies.
Marc Van Montagu, one of the founders of biotechnology, writes a letter to his 17-year-old self. 17. What advice does he have for the young Marc? A lad from a working class district in Ghent who in October 1951 took his first steps in the scientific world.
Catherine De Bolle has earned the right to call herself Ghent University Alumnus of the Year 2023. As the chief of Europol, she sees an important role for universities in the modernisation of the police service.
Four alumni look back on their education and the direction they eventually took. What started on the same road led to other places. Alexander, Nikki, Bart and Eline all studied applied language studies. The passion for languages is still there, but each of them expresses it in a different way in their jobs.
With a new Alumni Chapter in San Francisco, plus the Chapter in New York, Ghent University now has the opportunity to reach even more alumni in the US. After all, there are plenty of them. But what exactly are these two Alumni Chapters up to in the US? A discussion with the proud founding fathers Nicolas Polet and Wim Sohier.
