On 24 November, Rector Mark Waer will confer the degree of doctor honoris
causa on Willem P. Roelandts. Willem P. Roelandts is the former chair of the
Board of Governors and CEO of Xilinx, one of the world's leading businesses
in the microelectronics industry. The executive will be awarded the honorary
doctorate for his implementation of management and leadership styles that stimulate
innovation whilst also prioritising human values in corporate culture.
Xilinx is both a pioneer company and the market leader of a particular type
of reprogrammable chip namely field-programmable gate area or FPGA. Xilinx’s
turnover tripled under Roelandts’ (1945, Sint-Kwintens-Lennik) management,
despite a number of crises in the electronics industry.
Willem P. Roelandts’ success as a Flemish senior executive in the heart
of Silicon Valley is remarkable. His unique and personal management style earned
him an immense amount of respect from both his colleagues and his employees.
In 2008, Roelandts chaired the Semiconductor Industry Association interest group.
The conferment of this honorary degree will take place on the occasion of the
25th anniversary of the founding of IMEC.
IMEC conducts groundbreaking research and presents high-technological developments
in the fields of micro and nanoelectronics. IMEC engages its innovative force
in industrial partnerships with ICT, health care and energy industries. Thus,
technological solutions are developed that are relevant to these industries.
Gilbert Declerck, executive officer of the IMEC research centre in Leuven, will
deliver a ‘laudatio’ during the ceremony.
You are hereby cordially invited to the conferment of the honorary doctorate
on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 at 5 pm at the University Hall, Naamsestraat 22,
Leuven.
Posted November 18th, 2009
