VUB Honorary Rector Paul De Knop passes away

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel announces with great sadness the death of Honorary Rector Paul De Knop at the age of 67. Professor Paul De Knop was rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, to which the UZ Brussel is also affiliated, from 2008 to 2016.  Karsten De Clerck, chairman of the Board of Governors: "We have lost not only an icon of VUB, who lifted the university tremendously on a managerial, financial and academic level. We are also losing a strong personality with a big, warm heart. VUB owes a lot to Paul. His quick thinking, his dynamism, his versatility. Always committed to VUB, even after his rectorate and during his illness. We will miss him greatly." Jan Danckaert, rector ad-interim: "We are going to miss Paul greatly. His drive, his work ethic and optimism, his passion for VUB. He was committed until the very end. He laid the foundation for the future of VUB and its further growth. His passing saddens me and the VUB community immensely." The entire VUB community wishes the family much courage in these difficult times. Paul De Knop was diagnosed with two malignant diseases shortly after his tenure as rector ended: leukaemia and metastatic melanoma. At the UZ Brussel, he was treated by Professor Rik Schots, and by Professor Bart Neyns and his research team, who specialise in immunotherapy, among other things. He founded the VUB-UZB Paul De Knop Fund for immunotherapy during his treatment, saying "I offered to help my consulting physician raise funds, not for myself, but for others." Paul De Knop died from the effects of this illness. He leaves behind a wife, four children and six grandchildren. Rectorship Vrije Universiteit Brussel