About
About VIB Training & Conferences
VIB is a leading life sciences research institute located in Flanders, Belgium. Central to VIB’s mission of advancing groundbreaking biomolecular research for scientific and societal benefit is a strong commitment to actively training its scientists and showcasing VIB research through its Training & Conferences unit.
VIB Training & Conferences provides a full range of expert-led specialized workshops, e learnings, summer schools and conferences. Supporting excellence in science & technology as well as personal development. Your growth, our mission.
Aligned with VIB’s vision to address the needs of the scientific community and research support staff, VIB Training & Conferences strives to build a learning culture through the highest quality standards by promoting curiosity, creativity, research integrity, responsibility and networking.
By investing in the growth of talent across the life sciences ecosystem, from early-career researchers to policymakers, and across academia and industry, VIB Training & Conferences’ activities contribute to the economic and social development of Flanders, while creating worldwide impact.
About VIB
VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five Flemish universities, it conducts research in plant biology, cancer, neuroscience, microbiology, inflammatory diseases, artificial intelligence and more. VIB connects science with entrepreneurship and stimulates the growth of the Flemish biotech ecosystem. The institute contributes to solutions for societal challenges such as new methods for diagnostics and treatments, as well as innovations for agriculture.
Science is evolving, are you?
A broad approach to learning and development
Workshops
Since 2013 VIB provides a comprehensive approach to training. Each year, more than 100 expert-led workshops across 90 evolving topics in science, technology, and personal development are delivered, attracting over 2000 participants globally.
Two core commitments drive the success of each workshop. First, every session is fully integrated within the Life Science ecosystem by experts from the VIB network, who carefully tailor and deliver highly relevant sessions with practical applications. This also includes personal development, which helps prepare professionals for the future and foster a healthy and resilient workforce. The second core commitment is learning that extends beyond the workshop itself through dedicated aftercare, supporting continued learning and growth at every stage.
To support long-term skill development, 17 learning paths were developed that show the recommended sequence of training courses over career stage or for mastering a particular scientific skill. Together with a full overview of our portfolio, they can be found in our interactive brochure.
Conferences
Starting in 2015, VIB has been organizing international conferences across a wide range of research domains and technologies. These events are designed to bring together leading experts from academia and industry, creating a dynamic environment for open exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
VIB Conferences showcase cutting-edge research alongside innovative technological solutions, offering participants direct access to the latest developments in Life Sciences.
Each year, more than 2000 scientists from over 50 countries attend, highlighting the conferences’ strong global reach and their role as a key platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and future collaboration.
Summer Schools
VIB Summer Schools bring together a selected group of participants for an immersive learning experience focused on specialized topics. Through in-depth presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on workshops, attendees explore areas such as translational research, innovation and business, machine learning and AI, computational cytometry and light microscopy.
The programs are led by experts from within the VIB research community, alongside leading industry and academic specialists, ensuring both scientific depth and real-world relevance.
Thanks to their extended format, summer schools deliver an intensive and efficient transfer of knowledge, fostering strong connections and creating a collaborative environment that often leads to lasting professional relationships and collaborations.
Meet the Training & Conferences team
Top row: Evy Vierstraete, Cozmina Cucu, Janick Mathys, Maude De Meyer, Rob van Ham, Bruna Piereck Moura.
Bottom row: Lisa Thyrion, Alexander Botzki, Matheus Lourenço, Geneviève Sachem, Marthe Du Caju. Not pictured: Jolan Heyse, Soetkin Van Huylenbroeck.
Measures to reduce the environmental impact
VIB Training & Conferences is dedicated to choosing suppliers fully committed to a more sustainable world and strives to reduce the carbon footprint at every event.
An inclusive and diverse community
VIB Training & Conferences believes in inclusive training & conference experiences, focusing on diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI).