Why a PhD committee?
- Inform, connect and involve current PhD-students and attract and inform future PhD-students
- Reach out to the VITO PhD community and connect between various VITO disciplines
- Share experiences about their PhD life with current and future VITO PhD students
- Organise events for VITO PhD-students
- Shape and improve the PhD-programme at VITO
- Contact point for potential PhD candidates
Get to know the PhD comittee
The PhD committee is an international group of PhD students at VITO, which represents the community of PhD students currently performing their PhD at VITO. The committee works in close cooperation with the Scientific Relations team, which is co-ordinating the VITO PhD programme.
Tam Huynh Thi Thanh
PhD at University of Brussels, Belgium
Started on 15/12/2022
"A PhD is an exceptional experience, especially if you are an international student who may cross the pond to begin this adventure, leaving family and friends behind. I can tell you that you will learn a lot about cultural differences, diversity, and inclusion at VITO. Furthermore, the PhD committee exists to bring us together not only academically but also socially. I am honoured to be a part of a PhD committee where I hope that I can contribute my expertise and assist new PhD researchers."
Daniel Flender
PhD at University of Antwerp, Belgium
Started on 01/12/2020
"The PhD journey is undeniably difficult, but it is also extremely exciting. We can make this path more enjoyable and rewarding by encouraging fellow PhDs to share their experiences and progress. Throughout the start of my own PhD, the PhD committee served as an important support system, ensuring a smooth start. Now I'm motivated to return this invaluable help by assisting other PhD students in their own beginnings.
The annual PhD event is an important chance provided by the PhD committee. This event offers a forum for vital research skills to be sharpened and experiences to be shared among peers. By actively participating in the PhD committee, I can help organize this event and have the opportunity to collaborate with PhDs from various disciplines at VITO."
Dore Staquet
PhD at the university of Hasselt, Belgium
Started 1/10/2022
"The PhD journey is certainly not an easy one, but that also makes it a very fulfilling experience. Sharing the experience with other PhD students can help, and helped me, with finding their way through their PhD. VITO’s PhD committee provides a very interesting case where PhD students of various backgrounds can meet and share experiences. Having always been a part of the student council during my time as a student at the university of Hasselt, I want to aim to also bring people together here at VITO and provide a way to support other PhD students at VITO during their journey."
Lara Speijer
PhD at the VUB, Belgium
Started 15/12/2022
"As PhD researchers at VITO, we are simultaneously affiliated to a university and VITO. Therefore, I think the PhD committee has an important role to play in many ways. For example, making new VITO PhD-researchers familiar with working at VITO, and to connect these PhD students, as we might have similar questions or concerns. At the same time, I think it’s also important to have fun during your PhD and to get to know other PhD researchers in a better way. Organizing social events can therefore certainly help with this. Therefore, by being part of the PhD committee, I hope I can contribute to making the PhD experience of fellow VITO-PhD students a very enjoyable one."
Negar Namazifard
PhD at the university of Leuven, Belgium
Started 1/05/2022
"Pursuing a PhD at VITO is both exciting and challenging, as it requires balancing rigorous academic research with practical, applied work. This unique environment offers an enriching experience that fosters growth in multiple areas.
After two years in this journey, I have come to understand the importance of sharing experiences with fellow PhD students who face similar challenges. The VITO PhD committee plays a crucial role in building a supportive community where we can connect, collaborate, and navigate this journey together.
For me, being part of this committee is about helping create an environment where every PhD student feels welcomed, supported, and empowered throughout their journey."
Pilar Mejia
PhD at the university of Utrecht, Netherlands
Started 1/02/2024
"I believe in the power of collaboration and support each other; all of us have superpowers that we can use to make the lives of others easier. We are people from different parts of the world with different backgrounds that will enrich our experience as Ph.D. students at VITO. We can find support and resources to navigate the four-year journey as a community. We are here to pursue our PhD; it is lonely work, but let's make this a unique experience we can make the most of."
