{ "title": "VUB introduces new rectoral team: focus on innovation, sustainability and international growth", "modified_at": "2026-06-03 11:46:24", "published_at": "2026-06-03 10:00:00", "url": "https://press.vub.ac.be/vub-introduces-new-rectoral-team-focus-on-innovation-sustainability-and-international-growth", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/mRHd", "culture": "en", "language": "EN", "slug": "vub-introduces-new-rectoral-team-focus-on-innovation-sustainability-and-international-growth", "body": "

Brussels, Wednesday 3 June 2026 - The Vrije Universiteit Brussel announces the composition of its new rectoral team for the 2026-2030 policy period. Following his recent re-election as rector for a new four-year term (2026-2030), rector Jan Danckaert, together with four vice-rectors and five assignment holders, will continue to set the university's strategic course. From its position in the heart of Europe, the VUB wants to continue to focus on excellent education and research, innovation, sustainability, internationalisation and social impact in the years to come.

Vice-rectors are part of the highest university academic management level and are responsible for a broad academic policy domain. Commanders have a more defined strategic mission within a specific policy domain or work transversally across different policy domains. The new team brings together expertise in research, innovation, education, internationalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, entrepreneurship and student affairs. With this complementary composition, the VUB opts for a combination of academic excellence, managerial experience and social commitment to realise its strategic ambitions.

Vice-Chancellors

Sofie De Kimpe - Vice-rector for Education and Student Affairs

Prof Sofie De Kimpe will become Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs. She will focus on quality and inclusive education, student welfare and a future-oriented student policy. Her expertise on diversity, polarisation and social challenges is closely aligned with the VUB's diverse context.

De Kimpe is currently vice dean of the Faculty of Law and Criminology and professor of criminology, specialising in police research, diversity and social security. She combines strong teaching and research experience with extensive administrative expertise and has an extensive national and international network.

Wim Vandenbussche - Vice Rector for Internationalisation

Prof Wim Vandenbussche will become Vice Rector for Internationalisation. He will further focus on academic diplomacy, international networks and strategic partnerships, and the interaction between global positioning and regional development of the VUB.

Vandenbussche is full professor of Dutch and general linguistics and an internationally recognised specialist in historical sociolinguistics, multilingualism and language policy. Since 2022, he has been assignment holder for language policy and partnerships at the VUB.

Pieter Ballon - Vice-Chancellor Research

Prof Pieter Ballon is starting his second term as Vice-Chancellor Research. During his first term, he strengthened support for European research funding, developed new initiatives on artificial intelligence and open science and created additional opportunities for young research talent. By 2024, the VUB was among the 20 strongest European universities in terms of EU research funding.

Ballon is full professor of Communication Sciences and director of imec-SMIT at the VUB. He enjoys international recognition for his research on digital innovation, smart cities and platform economy.

Peter Schelkens - Vice-rector Innovation and Valorisation

Prof Peter Schelkens' current mandate as vice-rector of Innovation and Valorisation continues until the end of the 2027-2028 academic year.

Schelkens is full professor at VUB and former vice dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He combines a strong research reputation in multidimensional signal processing and computational photonics with extensive administrative experience. He received an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2013, has published more than 300 scientific articles and is involved in several spin-offs and patents.

Mission holders in strategic areas

Besides the vice-rectors, the VUB appoints five assignment holders who, together with the rector and the vice-rectors, shape policy within specific strategic domains. Their mandate runs for two years and is renewable.

Cathy Macharis - assignment holder Sustainability

Professor Cathy Macharis will be the person responsible for sustainability. She will develop and coordinate an integrated sustainability policy, focusing on teaching, research, campus operations and social impact.

Macharis is an internationally recognised expert in sustainable mobility, logistics and transition issues. She combines scientific expertise with a strong focus on policy relevance and societal impact and built an extensive network within academic, policy and civil society circles. She founded the House of Sustainable Transitions.

Dominique Maes - assignment holder Health Valley

Prof Dominique Maes will be Health Valley assignment holder. She will coordinate the development of an integrated ecosystem around care, education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship on and around the VUB Health Campus (Jette and Zellik).

Maes is professor of structural biology and biophysics at VUB and currently also dean of the Faculty of Science and Bioengineering. She has extensive experience in interdisciplinary research, international cooperation and university governance.

Caroline Buts - assignment holder Student Affairs

Prof Caroline Buts' mandate as assignment holder Student Affairs is extended. She continues to support the VUB in developing a coherent and future-oriented student policy, with special attention to well-being, study success and campus experience.

Vincent Ginis - assignment holder Artificial Intelligence

The mandate of Professor Vincent Ginis as assignment holder for Artificial Intelligence is also extended. He develops and coordinates the university-wide AI strategy to further strengthen the VUB's digital transformation, focusing on innovation, efficiency and responsible use of AI.

Thomas Crispeels - assignment holder Entrepreneurship

Finally, Prof Thomas Crispeels' mandate as assignment holder Entrepreneurship is also extended. He continues to work on embedding entrepreneurship within education and research and on strengthening the VUB ecosystem for start-ups and innovation.

"Today's societal challenges call for academic leaders with vision, expertise and connecting power. With this team, we bring together a broad combination of expertise, talent, experience and commitment to further develop the VUB as a pioneering socially relevant and internationally oriented university in the heart of Europe," concludes Rector Jan Danckaert.

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