MBA Class '09 – Paul Vervoort     Paul Vervoort holds a master degree in engineering (KU Leuven). When he started his MBA, he worked as an engineering manager for Umicore.   During the second year of the MBA-program he developed a business plan on the use of thermo-photovoltaic cells.

'Engineers often lack the necessary knowledge and skills to assess if a new development is worthwhile investing in,' Paul says. 'It takes a lot more than a technical background to give new ideas a chance to grow into a real business opportunity; no matter how exciting and interesting these ideas may seem at first. Learning how successful businesses are managed -locally or internationally- puts your technical knowledge into a whole new perspective.   The great thing about this MBA is that it offers much more than the traditional management subjects and the stimulating conversations with fellow students and alumni. You really get a chance to prove that you can actually put theory into practice. To be able to deliver that proof is a unique experience.'   Nowadays, Paul is senior program manager at Umicore.   www.umicore.com