B-PHOT Student Chapter, affiliated with the Brussels Photonics Team, is a joint student chapter of the SPIE and Optica (formerly OSA) Vrije Universiteit Brussel Student Chapters. The Vrije Universiteit Brussels SPIE Student Chapter was founded in 2006-2007 as the first student chapter in Western Europe. The Vrije Universiteit Brussels Optica Student Chapter was founded in 2020-2021. By forming the B-PHOT Student Chapter, we continue to promote optics and photonics with a joint force. The mission of the Student Chapter is to bring together bachelor, master, and PhD students in photonics and offer them a platform to interact with each other, academics in photonics (post-docs, professors…), industrial photonics, and the international photonics societies.

As a member of the Student Chapter, you enjoy several benefits with broad access to resources, and networking opportunities at our academic, industrial or social events, that can make a difference in your career.

Our goal is to get together with students, sharing inspiring experiences within and outside our community in photonics.

Next to online courses, discounts for conferences, access to grants, and online journals we also organize and support several scientific and social events.

B-PHOT Student Chapter VUB Events

• B-PHOT Chapters General Meeting
• Light Night
• Cultural events such as Sinterklaas, Christmas market tour, etc.
• Photonics Club Panel
• Professors tell-all
• Science Show (interactive photonics show visited by over 1500 students from secondary schools)
• Open Mic Photonics
• Photo contest
• IDeaLight.2021
• MONPLAS Workshop
• Making the most of your presentation
• Outreach at the Open Door Day of the Groeituin 5.0
• BePOM Hub
• Photonics Explorer Contest
• 10 years of Photonics Explorer and STEAM activities by EYEST
• Queer in Science
• Day of Science
• Teacher training about the Photonics Explorer kit
• Company Visits and Industry Days
• Teambuilding events

On a yearly basis, we present a new dynamic team that takes the lead in the coordination of all our activities. The B-PHOT Brussels Student Chapter Officers for the academic year 2021-2022:

Vrije Universiteit Brussel Chapter's former presidents

• Martin Skënderas (SPIE) & Astghik Chalyan (Optica) (2020-2021)
• Mathilde Patin (2019-2020)
• Koen Vanmol (2018-2019)
• Qing Liu (2017-2018)
• Sidney Goossens (2016-2017)
• Jens de Pelsmaeker (2015-2016)
• Lien Smeesters (2014-2015)
• Diane De Coster (2013-2014)
• Stefaan Heyvaert (2012-2013)
• Stijn Roelandt (2011-2012)
• Tom Guldemont (2010-2011)
• Els Moens (2009-2010)
• Sara Van Overmeire (2008-2009)
• Nathalie Vermeulen (2007-2008)
• Jurgen Van Erps (2006-2007)