Research

Academic programs and research

Ghent UniversityThe Ghent University is home to 32.000 students and 7.100 employees thereby being the largest university in Flanders. Over 130 faculty departments, spread over 11 faculties, offer high-quality courses in every one of their scientific disciplines. Several of these ie biotechnology, aquaculture, microelectronics and history are very well known in the international field. Ghent University aims to profile itself as an internationally renowned research institution through its strategic spearhead policy. In 2010 the university decided to make additional investments in five research areas:

  • Nanophotonics and biophotonics: the setting up of research lines in the area of nanoparticles, microlaser technology and optical switches, biosensors, bio-spectroscopy, scanning of biomaterials, electro-optical particle manipulation and active nanophotonic implants.
  • Biotechnology for a sustainable economy: focuses on reinforcing the interaction between the green (plant) biotechnology and the white (industrial) biotechnology for a sustainable bio-based economy.
  • Inflammation and immunity: projects aiming at building up knowledge relating to the origins and maintenance of inflammatory reactions.
  • Neurosciences: studies into behavioural control in the field of cognition and emotion, from a perspective of health and pathology and in terms of behaviourbased, neuro-atomic and neurochemical aspects.
  • Bio-informatics: setting up pipelines for the processing of the increasing flow of molecular data and the development of techniques for the integration of this data into further bio-informatics research.

About 50 researchers made a commitment to work closely together in these areas, to attract promising specialists and to be among the world’s top within five years. Each of these five groups has been allocated about 2.5 million euro in order to achieve these targets. In addition, Ghent University has created 25 additional professor positions to enhance the expertise that is already present with new researchers from at home and abroad. Economic value creation is the central focus of the spinoff policy at Ghent University. The Central Tech Transfer Office (CTO) promotes and supervises the transfer of innovative know-how and technology from the institutions of the Ghent University Association to the business world. In this way, the CTO department constitutes the link between the researchers and the business world, commercialises the research results, manages intellectual properties and offers legal support. In 2010, the Central Tech Transfer Office monitored the foundation of 7 spin-offs and submitted 65patent applications. More information Artevelde Hogeschool With 11.000 students and more than 1.000 employees the Artevelde University College Ghent is one of Flanders’ largest universities for professional education, situated in Flanders’ number one student city. Artevelde University College Ghent offers a wide variety of study programs in the fields of teacher training, economic and graphic education, health care and social work. Artevelde University College Ghent is a dynamic college, for which internationalisation is one of the pillars of its mission. This is translated into a long tradition of cooperation in Europe regarding student and staff mobility, international cooperations, joint education development, research and services. Artevelde University College Ghent is part of the Associatie Universiteit Gent and is an active member of several international networks, such as NAFSA, EAIE, EAN, EURASHE, ATEE, NACNAH, ASHAP, EUPRERA, ENPHE, Enothe, Comenius, Cohehre, Businet. Artevelde University College Ghent wants to expand its international vision by constructing a worldwide qualitative network of strategic partners in Canada, Ecuador, Turkey, Vietnam and South-Africa. Hogeschool Gent With more than 17,000 students and 2,000 staff members, the University College Ghent largest university college in the country in terms of budget, staff and student population. University College Ghent offers the widest range of subjects, in fact almost everything from the fine arts to engineering sciences and from music to biotechnology, divided over 22 professional Bachelor programs, 14 academic Bachelor programs and 24 Master programs. Ten of the study programs on offer are unique in Flanders. Although University College Ghent already had a strong research tradition in some areas and boasted a number of research groups of international excellence, the number of researchers at University College Ghent has been increasing ever since the Bologna Declaration. Currently, nearly 450 researchers are actively involved in more than 250 research projects, 100 of which are Ph.D. projects, and undertake a considerable amount of contract research for third parties (often SMEs). The Center for Entrepreneurship wants to build bridges between University College Ghent and entrepreneurs. In this way, University College Ghent students gain practical experience and candidate entrepreneurs are supported. The assignments carried out by the Center for Entrepreneurship will either be performed by experts or by students who are guided and coached by experienced consultants from inside or outside University College Ghent. The Center for Entrepreneurship also provides infrastructure to candidate entrepreneurs, such as furnished office space, conference rooms, etc. Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-LievenKaHo Sint-Lieven is a university college in Flanders with about 6400 students and more than 700 staff members. KaHo Sint-Lieven offers bachelor and master study programs in Gent, Aalst and Sint-Niklaas and also offers several short and longer postgraduate courses. The college is also enrolled In the Erasmus Mundus program organises a master program in Food Science, Technology en Nutrition. The study programs concentrate on 5 fields of study: biotechnology, health care, business studies, science and technology and teacher training The man premises of KaHo Sint-Lieven are located in Gent, Technologycampus, Gebroeders Desmetstraat 1 – 9000 Gent. KaHo Sint-Lieven is a member of the Association K.U.Leuven.

Research Centers

The Interdisciplinary Institute for Broadband Technology (IBBT) is an independent research institute founded by the Flemish government to stimulate ICT innovation. The IBBT team offers companies and organizations active support in research and development. It brings together companies, authorities, and non-profit organizations to join forces on research projects. Both technical and non-technical issues are addressed within each of these projects. The headquarters of the IBBT are located in Ledeberg (Gent) The Flemish Inter-University Institute for Biotechnology (VIB): a non-profit scientific research institution focusing on translating basic scientific results into pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. With more than 1200 scientists from over 60 countries the institute performs basic research into the molecular foundations of life. VIB works in close partnership with four universities − Ghent University , K.U.Leuven, University of Antwerp and Vrije Universiteit Brussel and is funded by the Flemish government. The VIB headquarters are situated in Zwijnaarde (Ghent). VIB also runs two bio-incubators at the Ardoyen Research Park. The Inter-University Micro-Electronics Centre (IMEC) is the largest independent European research center in the field of micro and nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, developmental methods and technologies for ICT-systems. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. IMEC has its headquarters in Leuven, but is also associated with three Ghent University laboratories of the ELINTEC department. Its staff of about 1,900 people includes more than 500 industrial residents and guest researchers. OCAS is an advanced, market-oriented research centre providing innovative solutions and services to metal processing companies worldwide. OCAS is a joint-venture between the Flemish Region and ArcelorMittal, the world’s number one steel company. Concentrating on general industry – household appliances, mechanical construction and engineering, tubes and pipes, HVAC, radiators, drums, furniture, electro-magnetic applications, energy generation, energy transport and storage systems – OCAS develops new products and solutions to satisfy and even anticipate clients’ needs. OCAS has a highly qualified team of more than 130 experienced researchers and engineers with an international orientation. Its laboratories in the region of Ghent (Zelzate and Zwijnaarde) have a unique range of state-of-the-art analysis and simulation tools, and even a complete lab scale steel production line. The Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO) is a Flemish Scientific Institute, performing scientific research and providing services to policy-makers and professionals in agriculture, horticulture and fisheries. ILVO’s mission is to perform and coordinate policy-supportive scientific research and to provide related services with an eye toward economically, ecologically and socially sustainable agriculture and fisheries. Based on research in the various scientific disciplines, ILVO will acquire knowledge necessary for the improvement of products and production methods, for monitoring and safeguarding the quality and safety of end products, and for improving policy instruments as a basis for the development of the agricultural sector and policies relating to the countryside. ILVO will regularly inform policy-makers, the agriculture, horticulture and fisheries sectors, and the public about its findings. ILVO has premises in Melle, Merelbeke and Ostend and employs > 500 people. The collective center of the Belgian technological industry (Sirris)helps companies in the implementation of technological innovations, enabling them to strengthen their competitive position over the long-term. Its experts visit companies on site, offer them technological advice, launch innovation paths, and provide guidance until they reach the implementation phase. Both small companies and large industrial groups from all sectors of Belgian technological industry can count on the services of Sirris. The center has more than 120 technology experts spread over 6 locations in the 3 regions of Belgium. Sirris carries out more than 4,000 industrial interventions per year in more than 1,800 different companies of whom 80% are SMEs.

Technology Platforms

Within the University Gent specific knowledge and expertise centers have been established cross border of the individual research groups. The mission of these groups is to foster strategic partnering with companies. Such application oriented knowledge clusters exist among others in the following fields: Ghent Bio-Energy Valley is a public-private partnership between public institutions (University of Ghent, the port of Ghent and the city of Ghent) and the private sector (Alco Bio Fuel, Bioro, Electrabel, Oleon, StoraEnso, Organic Waste Systems, Oiltanking and Cargill). The consortium was established on July 13, 2005 for the promotion of bio-energy and for the expansion of the port of Ghent to become an internationally recognized growing platform of industrial bio-energy products and activities. Power-link: Mid 2006 the Ghent University has started the expansion of the energy knowledge platform Power-Link, an initiative of AG Port of Ostend with ambition to act as state agency with regard to long-lasting and renewable energy. Ghent University runs the network which is guarded by a scientific committee of energy experts educated at its own premises and from its associated academies. Regional industrial players and professional actors active in the field of long-lasting and renewable energy increase the knowledge field of the platform. IOF-valorization consortia: The Industrial Research Fund of the Ghent University provides among other things a supporting guidance for the collaboration between university and industry. Several postgraduate research scientists have been appointed as Technology Developers, who are responsible for valorization within each consortium. Each consortium is structured around several complementary Ghent University research groups and is focused on the active market introduction and further development of research results. The Technology Developers profile the consortium within the industrial sector, identify interesting technologies and strive to market these in an active way in cooperation with the business unit of the TechTransfer offices of the Ghent University. The following consortia have already been established:

  • Bimetra: Clinical Research Center Gent
  • Biomarked: validation of biomarkers in cancer and aging
  • ChemTech: polymer and organic chemistry: from innovation towards valorization
  • DIACEL: exploits the biotechnological potential ofmicroalgae
  • DISCOVERe: early academic drug discovery of small molecules
  • DuraBUILDmaterial:Innovative technologies for sustainable material and technologies
  • Fibroniq: production van nanofiber
  • Food2Know:Knowledge Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Health
  • FUSION: Future Internet for a Smart Society www.fusion-iof.eu
  • HyCT: Hybrid Computed Tomography for life science applications
  • I-KNOW: intelligent informationmanagement
  • iMUNE: Multimedia, Users and Network
  • MAPPIT: Exploiting protein-protein-interactions for the development of new pharmaceuticals
  • Plateau: Photonics Innovation Center
  • PROVAXS: development of veterinary and human vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics
  • SEAT: Center for advanced polymer based microsystems and applications
  • SET: Sustainable Energy Technologies
  • Victoris: valorization centre for technological optimization, research & innovation in sport
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