70th Anniversary of the von Karman Institute
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.
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.
10:00 – 12:30 Visit of the labs for the invited guests
12:30 – 13:30 Sandwich lunch for the invited guests participating in the visit of the labs
13:30 – 14:00 Welcome and Registration
14:00 - 16:30 Plenary Session featuring long-term VKI partners from industry, politics, universities, research centers, and governmental agencies: preliminary programme
14:00 – 14:10 Open Words
Mr. Bryan Wells, Chair of the VKI Board of Directors
14:10 – 14:25 Welcome address and VKI in the future
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, VKI
14:25 – 14:35 Science, Security, and the Power of Partnership: Marking 70 years of VKI
Representative of NATO
14:35 – 14:45 Belgium Science Policy Framework and the Key Contribution of VKI
Representative of the Ministry in charge of Science Policy
14:45 – 14:55 The Next frontier: VI’s Role in Preparing Belgium for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Representative of the Ministry in charge of Defense
14:55 – 15:05 Seventy Years, One Mission: Research, Défense, and a Strong VKI–KMS Alliance
General Major Aviation An-Roos De Potter, Director of Royal Military Academy
15:05 – 15:15 A Longstanding Partnership: VKI and SCK CEN from MYRRHA to Small Modular Reactors
Mr. Christophe Bruggeman, Deputy Director-General of SCK CEN
15:15 – 15:25 VKI, privileged partners of Safran since decades
Mr. Jérôme Bonini, VP Research & Technology, Technical Director Military Engines, Safran Aircraft Reactors
15:25 – 15:35 Seventy Years of VKI: Enabling Europe’s Exploration of Space
Mr. Tommaso Ghidini, Head of the Mechanical Department, European Space Agency
15:35 – 15:45 Congratulatory video message
Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General, ESA
15:45 – 15:55 Advancing Spacecraft Safety: NASA–VKI Cooperation under the Space Act Agreement
Dr. Margareth Stackpoole, TPS Branch Chief, NASA (to be confirmed)
15:55 – 16:05 Cultivating Talent Together: VKI-ULB Joint PhD and Academic Collaboration
Dr. Marius Gilbert, Vice-Rector for Research, Université libre de Bruxelles
16:05 – 16:15 An Alliance for Knowledge: VKI and VUB’s Academic and Scientific Collaboration
Dr. Jan Danckaert, Rector, Vrije Universiteit Brussels
16:15 Closing Word
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, VKI
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
Prof. Dr. Filippo Coletti, Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich
Dr. George Simeonides, Project Adviser, European Commission
Prof. Clara Garcia Sanchez, Associate Professor at the department of Architecture and Built Environment ,TU Delft
Dr. Kurt Sermeus, Section Chief, Aircraft Systems Architecture, Bombardier
Dr. Jérôme Anthoine, Director of DMPE (Multi-Physics for Energetics Department, ONERA
and additional alumni to be announced soon
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 IBIS Brussels Centre Châtelain.