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UAntwerp students win prizes at national moot court competition
Master's students Anahit Miskarian, Lies Lauwers and Dietrich Rosiers (Faculty of Law) scored highly at the Council of State's national constitutional law moot court competition. They won the prize for the best pleading (written paper). Anahit Miskarian also won a prize for the best pleader in the preliminaries. In the grand final, the Antwerp team narrowly beat the UGent team: another silver medal. The students were coached by Prof. Cedric Jenart, Ben Claes and Floris Fonteyn. The law faculties of the ten Belgian universities participate annually in this bilingual moot court competition. The jury consists of magistrates from the Constitutional Court, the Council of State, the Court of Cassation and leading lawyers.
14.05. 2025 12:00UAntwerp lecturer wins Sett Award for innovating education
Els Tanghe (Antwerp School of Education) won a Sett Award, a prize for people and institutions that contribute to the improvement and innovation of education. She received the recognition for her efforts within teacher education and the development of digital learning tools. Her work plays a crucial role in preparing future teachers for the new challenges of modern education.
12.03. 2025 12:00Two UAntwerp researchers elected for Young Academy
The Young Academy elected ten new members. Two of them are affiliated with UAntwerp. Chemical biologist Michaela Prothiwa (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences) is developing smart chemical tools to understand how bacteria bypass our immune system. She uses these insights to search for new treatments that can replace antibiotics. Health economist Lander Willem (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) investigates the economic impact of health policies. Using computer models, he analyzes how targeted interventions affect the health and affordability of medical care in a virtual population.
25.02. 2025 12:00Professor wins Cyber Security Award
At the Belgian Cyber Security Awards, Catherine Van de Heyning (Faculty of Law), expert in European Human Rights, wonthe award for Cyber Security Personality of the Year. She receives the award for her work on the impact of digitization on fundamental rights, specifically in the criminal justice sector. Her work also focuses specifically on vulnerable people, such as victims of revenge porn.
05.12. 2024 12:00Professor wins Young Researcher Award
Professor Rose Bruffaerts (Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences) won the Young Researcher Award 2024, a prize worth 50 000 euros awarded by the Alzheimer's Research Foundation. She received the award for her innovative research on frontotemporal dementia, a complex form of dementia that mainly affects middle-aged people. Hugo Sigal, ambassador for the foundation, presented the award on the set of the popular soap opera Familie.
20.11. 2024 12:00Ecodesign is key to sustainable society and circular economy
Karine Van Doorsselaer (Faculty of Design Sciences) wrote the book Ecodesign. Guide to the circular economy. She debunks a number of misconceptions and offers a roadmap in choosing the most suitable material for a design. The book is highly recommended for any designer or engineer from all industrial sectors. ‘Implementing ecodesign in the design process is a key to success in the transition to a sustainable society and a circular economy,’ says the author.
14.10. 2024 12:00Alumnus Marko Heijl brings Flanders' finest sports pubs together in images and words
In the book Café De Sportvriend, Marko Heijl and Bart Diricx undertake a pub tour through the rich heritage of authentic Flemish sports pubs. You will discover 91 Flemish popular pubs in images and stories.
28.09. 2024 12:00PhD student is youngest committee chair everPhD student is youngest committee chair ever
Oskar Seuntjens is a PhD student within the Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings Research Group (Faculty of Applied Engineering). He is also active in politics. With the elections on 9 June, he was elected member of parliament for Vooruit. In July, the Chamber decided on committee chairs. Seuntjens was appointed chairman of the Energy, Environment and Climate committee. At 25, he is the youngest committee chairman ever.
23.07. 2024 15:00UAntwerp wins Education Prize Computable 2024
Dimitri Mortelmans and Elke Claessens (Faculty of Social Sciences) and Geert Mertens (ICT Department) won the Computable Award 2024 ‘IT Project of the Year in Education’. They joined forces to implement the SAS Viya programme in the Applied Multivariate Analysis curriculum. The jury praised the joint efforts to bring cutting-edge technology to sociology and SEW students via Cloud Computing.
02.06. 2024 12:00Two researchers on shortlist Eos Pipet
Following its annual tradition, Eos awards a prize for the most promising young researcher in Flanders. On the shortlist for that Eos Pipet, UAntwerp took two of the five spots. Sarah Ahannach, driving force behind citizenscience project Isala, and Kevin Van Sundert, manager of a freely accessible database of climate change data. Voting for the public award can be done at eoscience.eu/eospipet2024.
28.05. 2024 12:00Spokesperson of the Year
At the new hospital ZNA Cadix, Peter Bruyninckx (‘Romaanse Filologie’, 1992), spokesperson for the Flemish Traffic Centre, was elected Spokesperson of the Year. The two other nominees are also alumni of the University of Antwerp: Lantis spokesperson Annik Dirkx ( Romaanse Filologie, 2000) and UAntwerpen spokesperson Peter De Meyer (Germaanse Filologie, 2001).
23.05. 2024 12:00Law students take silver in national pleading competition
Law students Arevik Miskarian, Johannes Vogels and Mathieu Vereecke won the silver medal at the national pleading competition on constitutional law at the Council of State. The trio did win the prize for the best pleading (written paper). The jury stated that their pleading was remarkably better than most pleadings received by the Constitutional Court from seasoned lawyers.
30.04. 2024 12:00New cell therapy can boost battle against MS
Opera singers and scientists sharing a stage? It probably never happened before, but on Thursday, May 2, it will. During the benefit gala ARIA for MS, the University of Antwerp and Opera Ballet Flanders will join forces. The goal: to put multiple sclerosis on the map and raise money for promising new research through the Antwerp University Fund. You can now get your tickets, thus contributing directly to the research.
11.04. 2024 12:00Two projects Faculty of Arts win Language Industry Award
At the presentation of the Language Industry Awards, or LIAs for short, UAntwerp's Faculty of Arts won two awards. The project "A Touch of Museum to Scale" received an award for the way in which the permanent art collection of the Museum to Scale is made accessible to everyone. Also Duik in Taal!, a campaign to get young people interested in studying languages, received an award. Some language teachers from UAntwerpen put their shoulders to the wheel.
10.04. 2024 12:00Alumnus wins world title for 4x400m
At the indoor world athletics championships in Glasgow, the Belgian Tornados captured the men's 4x400m world title for the second time in a row. Christian Iguacel, an alumnus of physical therapy and rehabilitation sciences, was one of four Belgian runners in the final.
07.03. 2024 12:00Professor writes book about dangers of alcohol
In the book Een nuchtere kijk op alcohol (A Sober Look at Alcohol), Geert Dom (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) gives advice and insights on how to deal in a healthier way with beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages. Dom compiles all medical-scientific insights and shows the visible and hidden effects of alcohol on the body.
09.01. 2024 12:00Alumnus wins mtech+ Prize and Eos Prize
Alumnus Warre Clarys (industrial sciences, 2023) wins the prestigious mtech+ Prize 2023 with the development of a digital skin model that mimics the heat distribution of skin and tumors. By training this model, the subcutaneous shape and depth of the tumor can be precisely measured. Clarys also won the public award from mtech as well as the Eos Prize.
20.12. 2023 12:00Student writes book about the future of youngsters
Doe maar niet (Better don't) is the title of the very first book by law student Amir Bachrouri, former president of the Flemish Youth Council. In the book, Bachrouri, who grew up in an underprivileged family, searches for levers so that all Belgian youth can prosper. The book presentation took place at De Roma.
21.11. 2023 12:00Alumnus becomes new CEO Eltrona
Bart D'Olieslager (product development 1998) is the new CEO of the Luxembourg division of the telecom company Eltrona. In recent years he worked at Belgian telecom operator VOO, and also held a management position at Orange Belgium in the past.
10.11. 2023 12:00Alumnus wins Ecodesign Award
The OVAM presents the annual Ecodesign Award for students. Kieran Franck (product development, 2023) won with the project Cyclowash, a system that filters microfibers and waste particles from the water of washing machines in laundromats. The filtered wastewater can thus be reused and the waste does not end up in our oceans. His colleague Emiel Goffin was laureate in the Industrial Design category. His Paccobox is a circular system where consumers can deposit the empty reusable packaging of their meals.
27.10. 2023 12:00Biostatistician writes book on daily covid figures
As a biostatistician, Prof. Niel Hens (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) was often in the media during the corona period with his models about the expected spread of the disease. Together with his UHasselt colleague Christel Faes, Hens now wrote the book What if?. The authors offer a look behind the scenes: which data was available? Which questions had to be answered first and why? The book offers guidance for anyone who wants to know what was behind 'the daily covid figures'.
26.10. 2023 12:00Polar expert receives Lifetime Achievement Award
In Madrid, Em. Prof. Louis Beyens (Department of Biology) received the Lifetime Achievement Award Eugène Penard, presented by the International Society for Testate Amoeba Research. The biologist has been researching the impact of climatic fluctuations on single-celled organisms, more specifically scaled amoebae, in the polar regions since 1978. His passion for the polar regions has led to several popular science books, such as The Future Polar Bear.
26.10. 2023 12:00PhD student wins PhD-Cup audience award
PhD student Annelies Augustyns (Faculty of Arts) won the audience award of the PhD-Cup with 1.800 votes. In her research, she investigates diaries from unknown Jewish Germans during World War II.
20.10. 2023 12:00Professor wins Annual Science Communication Prize
Professor Annick Gilles (Translational Neurosciences) won the Annual Science Communication Prize with her book (h)OREN(dol)?! published in 2022. In the book she formulates clear answers to questions that patients with tinnitus may have.
19.10. 2023 12:00Professor wins Visser-Neerlandia Prize
Professor Annick Schramme (Antwerp Management School) has received the Visser-Neerlandia Prize as a reward for her commitment to Dutch-Flemish cooperation, which runs like a common thread through her career.
16.10. 2023 12:00Four alumni win Prize for Global Research
Martha Mutua (Development Evaluation and Management), Hannah Downes (Globalisation and Development), Abdulwahid Panganting (Governance and Development) and Colin Van Belleghem (International Relations and Diplomacy) were honoured by Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez at the presentation of the Prize for Global Research by the Province of Antwerp.
20.09. 2023 12:00Professor makes science musical
Professor Joris Dirckx (Dept. of Physics) works on a science musical about Marie Curie, in collaboration with UAntwerp and Podiumacademie Lier. There will be a live orchestra, a cast of 70 and an international dance company. Tickets for Curieus can be bought on the website.
14.09. 2023 12:00Alumnus publishes book
Julien De Wit (Law, 2023), president of the Flemish Association for Students, published his first book. Ge(e)neratie (translation: (No) generation) is a plea for a society in which youngsters are more included in decision making processes.
09.09. 2023 12:00Researcher launches podcast
Genetic researcher Lotte Van Den Heuvel (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) launched a podcast. In 'Plots, Doodeerlijk' (Suddenly, Deadly Honest) she talks with patients who have an incurable genetic condition. How do they cope with their diagnose?
08.09. 2023 12:00New Head of Data at Royal Belgian Football Association
Alumnus Matteo Balliauw (Business Engineering, 2013) starts as Head of Data, Analytics & Insights at the Royal Belgian Football Association.
04.09. 2023 12:00New chairman Open Vld
Alumnus Tom Ongena (Law, 1998) is the new - acting - chairman for Open Vld. Ongena, who is from Mechelen, has been seated in the Flemish Parliament since 2019.
07.07. 2023 10:30First aid for entrepreneurs
In his book Spring verder (Jump further), Youssef Deconinck (Organisation and Management, 2015) helps new entrepreneurs to survive their first year of business. As a coordinator for Xerius, he knows the questions entrepreneurs have through and through; the answers to these questions are now combined in one book.
27.06. 2023 13:41First Belgian president European Association for International Education (EAIE)
Since 1989, EAIE promotes international education, with focus on learning, networking and knowledge exchange. Piet Van Hove (Dept. University & Society) is the first Belgian president since establishment. His term will end in September 2024. The upcoming conference will be in September 2023, in Rotterdam.
26.06. 2023 10:12New President at the Bar Association
Katrien Crauwels (Law, 1992) has taken the oath as the new President of the Bar Association of Antwerp. Crauwels is a partner at the law firm Crowe Spark Legal, where she mostly focuses on social law.
21.06. 2023 09:27Twenty years of gay marriage
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of gay marriage in Belgium, Paul Borghs (Law, 2003) published Echt Verbonden – Geschiedenis van het homohuwelijk in België (Truly connected – The history of gay marriage in Belgium). In this book, the alumnus tells all about Belgium becoming the second country in the world to legalise gay marriage.
20.06. 2023 11:54Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
Sara Op de Beeck (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) was selected for the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany. For one week, the researcher gets to attend several lectures and has the opportunity to network with other young researchers. Moreover, Sara will have the chance to meet Nobel Prize winners.
07.06. 2023 12:00Journalism out of balance?
Together with Kathleen Beckers and Annelien Van Remoortere, Karolin Soontjens (Faculty of Social Sciences) wrote Journalism Out of Balance?. The book sheds new light on the debate on press bias. The book provides answers to the many questions surrounding perceptions, image damage, bias ... between political parties and journalists.
07.06. 2023 12:00Global Health Leaders Award
Alumnus and visiting professor Peter Piot (PhD in microbiology, 1980 and affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) won the Global Health Leaders Award. This award, presented by the World Health Organization (WHO), is given to him for his phenomenal achievements in public health.
01.06. 2023 11:37Winner '1 year for free'
Student Jef Vandorpe (Law) won the VRT 1 television quiz ‘1 year for free’ in early April. The prize was a whopping 85,000 euros. He will gift part of the prize money to his godson.
15.05. 2023 17:16Belgian Moot Court in Constitutional Law
Master of Law students Eva Devlieghere, Pieter Mertens and Charlotte Verstreken participated in the eighth edition of the Belgian Moot Court in Constitutional Law organised at the Council of State at the end of April. It was quite a success, because the trio went on to win all the prizes.
15.05. 2023 17:14Doctor’s prescription for nature
Three professors from our university recently released a new book. Dirk Avonts, Hans Keune and Roy Remmen (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) wrote Natuur op doktersvoorschrift (Doctor’s prescription for nature). The book is about how nature can have an influence on human health.
11.05. 2023 14:14New physiotherapist Telenet Giants Antwerp
Student Elaheh Ahmadi-Eli (Alumna of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy and PhD student) recently became the new physiotherapist of Antwerp basketball powerhouse: Telenet Giants Antwerp.
11.05. 2023 14:12New veterinarian at Zoo Antwerpen and Planckendael
Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael caught a new veterinarian: alumnus Jonas Spruyt (Veterinary Medicine, 2011). The ambitious and adventurous doctor was active abroad for many years and is eager to take on this new challenge.
10.05. 2023 14:45Alumna Jacotte Brokken joins weather team VRT
Alumna Jacotte Brokken (Chemistry, 2015) succeeded Frank Deboosere as weatherwoman. In April Jacotte joined VRT’s weather team.
10.05. 2023 14:33Officer of the Order of Leopold
Officer of the Order of Leopold: this title was conferred on Dominiek Dendooven (Department of History). He received the medal and certificate from Didier Vanderhasselt, the Belgian ambassador to India. In his research, Dendooven emphasises the important role Indian soldiers played during World War I.
10.05. 2023 14:25New chair Voka
Andreas Pfeffer (Communication Sciences, 2003) is the new chair of Voka – Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp-Waasland. Pfeffer is the CEO of temporary employment and recruitment agency Recrewtment.
10.05. 2023 14:07The birthplace of Paul van Ostaijen
The birthplace of poet Paul van Ostaijen on Antwerp’s Lange Leemstraat is bustling again. Matthijs de Ridder, Dennis Van Mol and Ewald Peters are three former members of staff of the Louis Paul Boon Documentation Centre at UAntwerp. De Ridder wrote a biography on Van Ostaijen, Van Mol and Peters worked out an exhibition around the poet’s artist friends.
10.05. 2023 14:06Imposter mother
Imposter mother, that’s the title of Hanan Challouki’s latest book (Communication Sciences, 2015). In the book, the alumna – an expert in inclusive marketing and communication – talks about her first, uncertain year as a mother.
10.05. 2023 13:59