Congratulations to our new Dean and Vice Dean

The Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management proudly congratulates Catherine Dehon and Olivier Witmeur on their recent appointments as Dean and Vice Dean. With a shared dedication to advancing our school's legacy, they aim to blend our strong foundational values with a forward-thinking, innovation-driven approach.

Meet the new leaders

  • Catherine Dehon, Dean: With extensive experience at ULB and within our school, Catherine has served in key roles, including Vice-Rector and Director of the Education Department. Her depth of knowledge in higher education makes her a key leader in strengthening the Faculty’s growth and impact.

  • Olivier Witmeur, Vice Dean: Known for his commitment to fostering innovation and supporting startups, Olivier brings a rich mix of academic and industry experience. His background in entrepreneurship and leadership will be essential as the Faculty adapts to a rapidly changing environment.

The mission and vision

The mission of the Deanship is to bring impactful solutions to economic and business challenges. Their vision centers on advancing SBSEM’s reputation as a premier European institution in economics and management, combining cutting-edge research with the education of future leaders. They are committed to academic rigor, social engagement, and fostering critical problem-solving skills.

The core values

Their program is grounded in core values integral to our school:

  • Free inquiry and excellence
  • Entrepreneurial spirit and multidisciplinarity
  • Equal opportunity and democratic governance
  • Societal relevance
 

The Strategic objectives for the Deanship

Aligned with SBSEM’s mission, vision, and values, Catherine and Olivier’s priorities include:

  • Strengthening our foundations: Building on the institution's strengths in research and education to drive societal impact.
  • Engaging stakeholders: Working closely with our community to address market demands and uphold our role as a social elevator for students.
  • Promoting internationalization: Expanding the success of our English-language Bachelor’s programs and extending our partnerships globally.
  • Championing sustainability: Positioning Solvay as a key voice in sustainable solutions.
 

The four strategic pillars

Their program is anchored on four main pillars:

  1. Fairness and kindness: Focusing on people-first leadership with transparency, active listening, and role rotation.
  2. Strengthening industry and international institutions ties: Deepening engagement with the professional world, creating synergies between research, academics, and student initiatives.
  3. Upholding quality standards: Recognizing excellence across all programs and rewarding high-achieving students.
  4. Streamlining operations: Enhancing efficiency through new technologies and sustainable financial practices.
 

Through their appointments, Catherine Dehon and Olivier Witmeur reaffirm our commitment to cultivating an inclusive, innovative learning environment. We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to them as they embark on this exciting journey!

With gratitude and a deep sense of purpose, we look forward to building a future of excellence, innovation, and well-being together at Solvay.

So let's all cheer together: to the future!
 


[To contact the new deanship, please reach out to dean-office-sbs-em@ulb.be]
Updated on October 31, 2024