Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and its renowned B-PHOT Brussels Photonics research team recently hosted a landmark event at the Square Brussels, Mont des Arts, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its pioneering master’s programme in photonics. This milestone celebration marked three decades of excellence in photonics research and education, bringing together international alumni, distinguished speakers, and key industry figures for a night of reflection, learning, and networking.

The event attracted a large crowd of graduates, students, and professionals from the photonics field, all eager to celebrate the programme’s legacy and future. The event’s opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Hugo Thienpont, a key figure in the development of photonics education at VUB and the director of B-PHOT, followed by an introduction from Prof. Heidi Ottevaere, highlighting the programme’s contributions to both academia and industry over the past three decades.

The celebration featured presentations by top international experts in photonics, with a focus on the real-world applications of the technology. Dr. Iñigo Artundo gave a compelling talk on 'Light Technology in Industry', emphasizing how photonics is driving innovation in sectors ranging from telecommunications to healthcare. This was followed by Dr. Anna Mignani, who shared insights on the latest breakthroughs in 'Applied Photonics'. Dr. Jan Watté rounded off the presentations by discussing the 'Impact of Photonics Internships', spotlighting the crucial role that hands-on experience has played in shaping successful careers for VUB’s graduates.

The formal programme concluded at 8:00 PM, after which attendees enjoyed dinner, offering guests the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, exchange ideas with industry pioneers, and explore future collaborations over a selection of fine food and drinks. The event provided an ideal platform to foster partnerships and further discussions on how photonics will shape the future.

Over the past 30 years, VUB has been at the forefront of photonics innovation, with its master’s programme producing some of the brightest minds in the field. Many of the graduates have gone on to make significant contributions to research, development, and industrial leadership globally. The event highlighted VUB's ongoing commitment to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving field while nurturing a strong community of innovators.

Prof. Thienpont closed the event by expressing his gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the programme’s success over the years and his optimism for the future. "After 30 years, everyone is coming to Brussels to celebrate this fantastic feat," he said. "The photonics industry is growing at ten percent per year. We need fantastic engineers in order to keep that going. I sincerely hope we can continue delivering the best photonics engineers for all those years to come."