On October 12, we honored Hugo Thienpont for his remarkable achievements in photonics, and acknowledged our VUB fellow, Akira Hiruma. An uplifting evening with promising plans for young enthusiasts in STEAM fields.
In 2019, the Research Council of VUB awarded Hugo Thienpont, Director of the Brussels Photonics Team (B-PHOT) and Vice-Rector of Innovation & Valorization, with the Prize for Social Valorization. To celebrate this, VUB Crosstalks organized an Entr’Acte, which took place on October 12.
One of the highlights of this festive evening was the announcement of a brand new STEAM Academy in Gooik. With this academy, Hugo Thienpont wants to engage young minds in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics & medicine.
In the same spirit of recognition, we honored Akira Hiruma as a VUB Fellow. Akira Hiruma is the president and chairman of Hamamatsu Photonics, and the driving force behind the Hamamatsu Applied Photonics Innovation Chair, supporting the photonics innovation activities at VUB B-PHOT. In addition, Akira Hiruma’s expansive network in Japan further strengthens VUB’s ties with Japanese industry leaders and esteemed universities, amplifying our global reach.
We want to thank both Hugo Thienpont and Akira Hiruma for their invaluable contributions to the VUB.
If you would like to contribute financially to STEAM activities for the future generation, Click HERE for a donation to the Steam Fund.