Sophie Keymolen, Provincial Deputy of Walloon Brabant, visits the FERM, LEMSC, OpenHub and SEFY platforms

As Provincial Deputy for Walloon Brabant with responsibility for Agriculture and the Economy, Sophie Keymolen visited UCLouvain on several occasions to meet with the coordinators of the FERM and SEFY platforms, as well as OpenHub and LEMSC.

Within the 2,000 m² of greenhouses operated by the SEFY platform, projects focus on understanding how plants respond to various forms of stress, particularly drought, with the aim of developing innovative solutions for water management. 
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The visit to the university farms platform (FERM) provided an opportunity to discover large-scale field trials conducted across 100 hectares of farmland. These lands are managed under both conventional and organic farming systems, with a strong emphasis on innovative agricultural practices aimed at reducing pesticide use, enhancing the sustainability of farming systems, and supporting adaptation to climate change.
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The LEMSC (Mechanical Testing, Structures and Civil Engineering Laboratory) provides researchers and industrial partners with state-of-the-art equipment for the mechanical characterization of materials and structures.
While the visit offered an opportunity to discover the platform’s infrastructure and expertise, it also enabled discussions on the essential role of expertise and service platforms in supporting research, facilitating technology transfer, and fostering regional economic development.
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With an approach based on creativity, experimentation and collaboration, OpenHub helps companies and project leaders address their challenges, test their ideas and develop concrete solutions.
The Student Labs program is a great example of this approach. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and companies around real-world challenges, OpenHub fosters connections between talent, expertise and innovation, leading to the development of prototypes that meet genuine field needs.
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Picture credit : Jessica La Mendola, Justin Goosse