Kick-off of a unique collaboration.

During Agoria’s Tech Dragons of Asia mission, sixty Belgian knowledge institutions and business leaders discovered just how high the technological bar is in China. In Shenzhen and Taipei, innovation is not a policy paper or a strategic ambition, but something that is built, deployed, and scaled every single day. This mission made one thing crystal clear: the train is moving, and it is moving fast.

But what can we offer in response from our region? Eight organisations and knowledge partners (Agoria, Flanders Make, Sirris, Howest, UGent, Vives, Kulak, and POM West Flanders) have joined forces at the Innovation Hub “The factory of the future is bright.” They will engage in debate with several leading industrial players on the collective response they provide to remain competitive and productive, building on the strengths of our regional focus: High Mix, Low Volume.

Introduction: Ben Van Roose (Agoria)
Keynote: Pascal Coppens sparks the debate with insights on how to stay in the race, based on his latest book China’s Next Miracle.
Debate: including, among others, Grisja Lobbestael (CEO of Flanders Make), Herman Derache (Managing Director of Sirris), Tom Verbaeten (Chief Supply Chain Officer – CSCO of CNH Industrial), Karel Viaene (Co-Founder of Vintecc)
Closing remarks: Provincial Deputy Jean de Béthune
Launch moment: Jolyce Demely, Managing Director Agoria Flanders - Herman Derache, Managing Director Sirris - Grisja Lobbestael, CEO Flanders Make - Herwig Reynaert, Vice Rector UGent - Frederik D’Hulster, Managing Director Howest - Evelyn Terryn, Vice Rector KU Leuven Kulak - Kathy Dewitte, Managing Director Vives - Provincial Deputy Jean de Béthune, Chairman POM West Flanders