Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a structural partner of the Flanders Technology innovation (FTI) Festival in Brussels—organised by GLUON—and pulls out all the stops this year. From exclusive tours on the Etterbeek campus to visits at research centres on the outskirts of Brussels: professionals and the general public alike get a unique behind-the-scenes look at research that is helping shape the future.
"At Vrije Universiteit Brussel, science does not stand beside society—it stands at its centre. Our researchers translate their expertise daily into concrete answers to societal challenges. This behind-the-scenes look lets you discover how research and innovation at VUB are shaping the future." — Peter Schelkens, Vice-Rector Innovation & Industry Relations at VUB.
Fast Tracks for professionals
Monday 19 October is dedicated to Human & Health. Following the B2B summit at TheMerode, VUB organises three Fast Tracks on campus: exclusive small-group tours. The first track focuses entirely on nanobodies—a VUB discovery from the 1970s with far-reaching implications for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's. The second track takes visitors from a brand-new cleanroom to a pilot brewery and a chemistry lab where groundbreaking peptide research is being carried out. The third track shows how exoskeletons and tech4health innovations can support our health preventively.
Tuesday 20 October revolves around Circular & City, with two Fast Tracks on smart energy and sustainable building materials—from wind energy and electromobility to C02-neutral materials based on mycelium, nanofibres and self-healing concrete.
Slow Tracks for the general public
Over the weekend, VUB organises Slow Tracks for everyone. At the Research Park in Zellik, visitors can discover a Smart Village Lab and a 7 Tesla MRI scanner. At the Photonics Innovation Center in Pajottegem, light technology takes centre stage, with applications ranging from a microscopic smartphone lens to refined cancer biopsies and detecting the ripeness of fruit.