The city of Geel has for years honored the most meritorious final projects from local higher education. Following a regulation update, students from graduate programs are now also eligible for a student award, in addition to those from bachelor's and master's degrees. Each award comes with a cash prize of 250 euros. The awards are personally presented by aldermen Vera Celis or Luc van Laer.
Alderman for education Vera Celis emphasized the importance of this recognition: "With these three student awards, we acknowledge the significant added value that students from our Geel campuses create. Their research and projects often yield innovative solutions for societal challenges while simultaneously strengthening the bond between education, research, and our region."
The master's award goes to Thomas De Coninck for his thesis on sustainable maize cultivation, titled ‘Crop Rotation versus Continuous Monoculture in Silage Maize’. His research, conducted in collaboration with the Hooibeekhoeve in Geel Ten Aard, compares the impact of different cultivation methods on soil quality and yield. This academically high-standing work offers concrete applications for farmers seeking to make their cultivation more sustainable. The award was presented during the ceremony on September 14.
The bachelor's award is shared by Siena Ferson, Axelle De Kort, and Marthe Ruts. They developed 'Den Arno', a cookie made from spent grain, a byproduct of the brewing process that is often wasted. This project, developed in collaboration with local brewery De Vliet, demonstrates how residual streams from the food industry can find new, high-value applications, contributing to a more sustainable food chain with a local and Campine character. Their award was presented during the ceremony on September 16.
The new graduate award goes to Wouter Ooms, who graduated in Transport and Logistics. He digitized and streamlined the ordering process within Umicore EOM using a central database, scannable labels, and a digital order list. This significantly improved the overview and tracking of orders. The project was praised by his program for its practical impact and professional execution. The award ceremony took place on September 24.
By expanding to three student awards, the city of Geel aims to recognize all educational levels within higher education. The winners demonstrate how students, through innovative ideas and practice-oriented research, contribute to sustainable entrepreneurship, agriculture, and logistics in the region.
