PhD Defence

After lots of preparations, like setting up the room, and running from one place to the other to find keys (thanks David for all your help), the defence started. The jury gives you 35-40 minutes to present your work. Bit difficult to compress four years in such a short time. Anyway, as the President of the Jury said, "the most interesting part of the defence comes afterwards".

Exactly 36 minutes later, the presentation was finalised; and the questions started. I don't know anymore how long did it take. I have the feeling that I could answer all of them.

After the questions, there is a time of "deliberation" where the jury is absent and we just have to wait. This is a view of the room while the jury was in deliberation.

In the picture from left to right Prof. John Van Camp, myself, Prof. Patrick Kolsteren (Promoter), Prof. Wim Verbeke, Prof. Stefaan De Henauw, Prof. Angel Gil (International Jury) and Prof. Jacques Viaene (Jury's President). This picture was taken just after the defence was ended and the Jury awarded me the degree of Doctor.