“If the retirement age for everyone in this country is going up, it’s a mystery why that wouldn’t be possible for the professors who want it.” Here’s what Trends Editor Roeland Byl says.
Cancer researcher Peter Carmelet, 61, wants to move his research activities to Aarhus, Denmark, where he can continue working after his 65th birthday. He is pleased that he can continue to use his excellent mind in science. It is unclear that he goes to Denmark for this and shares his crew with him. Flanders has invested for years in Carmelite research and development of his lab.
It is also a pity that the planned brain drain is taking place with the support of KU Leuven and VIB. How can this approach be reconciled with efforts to return top scientists working abroad to Flanders?
Keep your cancer research here.
Carmelite has international recognition for its research into angiogenesis in cancer cells. He thinks he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough. The question is not whether a professor approaching retirement age should lead such an investigation. The question is why this is not possible in Flanders. Apparently, Carmelet goes against the rules of the University of Leuven, which sends all professors to retire at 65 to make room for young scientists.
If the retirement age for everyone in this country rises, it is a mystery why that would not be possible for the professors who want it. It’s ridiculous that institutions like VIB and KU Leuven can’t put together a platform for their best research. As a knowledge economy, Flanders is committed to innovation. This is not possible without the backbone of the burgeoning field of scientific research. Leaving knowledge indifferently puts the mortgage on future economic strength.
Cancer researcher Peter Carmelet, 61, wants to move his research activities to Aarhus, Denmark, where he can continue working after his 65th birthday. He is pleased that he can continue to use his excellent mind in science. It is unclear that he goes to Denmark for this and shares his crew with him. Flanders has invested for years in Carmelite research and development of his lab. It is also a pity that the planned brain drain is taking place with the support of KU Leuven and VIB. How can this approach be reconciled with efforts to return top scientists working abroad to Flanders? Carmelite has international recognition for its research into angiogenesis in cancer cells. He thinks he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough. The question is not whether a professor approaching retirement age should lead such an investigation. The question is why this is not possible in Flanders. Apparently, Carmelet goes against the rules of the University of Leuven, which sends all professors to retire at 65 to make room for young scientists. If the retirement age for everyone in this country rises, it is a mystery why that would not be possible for the professors who want it. It’s ridiculous that institutions like VIB and KU Leuven can’t put together a platform for their best research. As a knowledge economy, Flanders is committed to innovation. This is not possible without the backbone of the burgeoning field of scientific research. Leaving knowledge indifferently puts the mortgage on future economic strength.
