Post by Dirk Fransaer

Grootofficier in de Kroonsorde - Grand Officer in the Order of the Crown His royal highness, King Filip I of Belgium, has appointed me as Grand Officer in the Order of the Crown. This distinction recognizes my services rendered to the country and for meaningful contributions through science, technology, and entrepreneurship. My mission has always been to pursue innovation and entrepreneurial growth through scientific breakthroughs — with the goal of building a better, sustainable world. This honour reflects the collective efforts across an extraordinary journey involving institutions such as the University Ghent, KU Leuven, Universiteit Antwerpen, EUROSENSE, BAXTER BELGIUM, VITO, KVAB - Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten, and internationally at Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and Ningbo University. None of this would have been possible if not for the support and collaboration of many talented individuals—colleagues, friends, and board members whose commitment and belief made a lasting impact. I am deeply grateful to everyone who stood by me along the way. This recognition marks not an end, but a powerful encouragement to keep going. There are still countless challenges to address and ideas to explore. In these turbulent times, I believe that science, technology, and entrepreneurship must play a defining role—and I remain committed to advancing that agenda. More is to come. Plus est en vous.   Caroline Ven, Harry Martens, Ingrid Vanden Berghe, Eva Kremer, André Jadot , Jaak Monbaliu, Sylvain Ravera,Etienne Jacqué, Jurgen Joossens, Lucien Hoffmann, Roger Dijkmans, Rik Schrooten, Rik Van de Walle, Andre Oosterlinck, Ronnie Belmans, Franco Peluso, Ronny Verhoeven, Luc Sels, Koen Debackere, Hans Romaen, Luc Sterckx, Herwig Leirs and many others.