70th Anniversary of the von Karman Institute

70th Anniversary of VKI

 

Join us on 18–19 September 2026 for a unique two‑day anniversary event bringing together alumni, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, international partners, and friends of VKI from around the world.

Founded in 1956, VKI has grown into a world‑class international education and research institute specializing in fluid dynamics, with applications in aeronautics and aerospace, turbomachinery and propulsion, and environmental and applied fluid dynamics. This anniversary is a moment to honour our heritage, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to the next decades of innovation.

The event is exclusively open to invited guests, VKI Alumni and VKI Staff.

Alumni received an invitation on Friday, 17 April 2026. The invitation includes an access code that allows registration for activities related to the 70th Anniversary. If you have not received the invitation or if you have misplaced the code, please contact the VKI secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

 

 

Programme

 

This preliminary programme gives you an insight of the two-days events. The full programme will be available soon.

 

Friday, 18 September 2026

This day will be dedicated to highlighting the strong partnerships the Institute has built over the years.

13:30 - 14:00 Registration

14:00 - 16:30 Plenary Session featuring long-term VKI partners from industry, politics, universities, research centers, and governmental agencies.

16:30 Reception

Saturday, 19 September 2026 - Alumni Day

10:00 – 12:00 VKI Alumni Association Board of Directors (for members of the Board only, invitation will be sent later by the VKI Alumni Association)

10:30 – 11:00 Registration and Welcome

11:00 – 12:00 Academic Session : Past Foundations, Future Directions

11:00 – 11:10 Welcome address
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, VKI

11:10 – 11:20 Word from the VKI Alumni Association
Dr. Cis De Maesschalck, President of the VKI Alumni Association and Capability Lead - Fluid Mechanics at Rolls-Royce

11:20 – 11:40 Shaping the Next 70 Years: VKI’s Strategy for the Future
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, VKI
Mr. Sven Van Loo, Executive Director for Institutional and Infrastructure Development

11:40 – 11:50 Educating the Next Generation: The Strategic Evolution of VKI’s Academic Programmes
Prof. Jeroen van Beeck, dean of the faculty

11:50 – 12:00 Inspiring the Next Generation: Women Driving Innovation in Fluid Dynamics
Prof. Delphine Laboureur, VKI professor and Chair of BeWise

12:00 – 13:00 Sandwich Lunch

13:00 – 14:00 Alumni Session: The VKI Community - Alumni Speeches

14:00 – 14:45 Roundtable: the future of VKI

14:45 – 15:15 Coffee break

15:15 – 16:30 VKI Alumni Association General Assembly
Chair: Dr. Cis De Maesschalck, President of the VKI Alumni Association and Capability Lead - Fluid Mechanics at Rolls-Royce

 

Spouses and children are welcome to attend the following part of the programme

16:45 – 18:15 Visit of the labs

18:30 Bus departure from VKI to Hotel Van Der Valk Nivelles Sud

19:00 – 22:00 Alumni Dinner at Hotel Van Der Valk Nivelles Sud
The Alumni Dinner consists of a cocktail reception followed by a three-course dinner, drinks included. The children's menu is composed of one meal and one dessert, drinks included. You will receive several menu options to choose from at a later stage.

22:00 Bus departure back to Brussels (stop at Waterloo, VKI, Brussels Center). The last bus stop is avenue Louise in Brussels near the Hotel Barsey by Warwick.

 

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