Thomas More sets foot in Silicon Valley & LA
Thomas More is the only Flemish university college to send an extensive delegation to California for the Belgian Economic Mission (BEM). The aim is to forge partnerships with leading American universities and identify opportunities at companies in the life sciences, technology, media and entertainment sectors. The mission ran from 4 to 11 October, visiting Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, and was led by Princess Astrid. Prime Minister Diependaele also joined the mission.
It is no coincidence that Thomas More, led by Managing Director Stijn Coenen, is the only Flemish university of applied sciences with a strong delegation present on this trade mission. The knowledge institution wants to be present where innovation, entrepreneurship and education intersect. And today, that place is in the heart of Silicon Valley and LA.
Distinguished visitors
On 6 October, Thomas More visited San José State University (SJSU), the oldest public university in the western United States. For generations, it has been training engineers and creative minds who go on to find employment at Google, Adobe and Nvidia. On that day, the university also renewed its partnership during a formal signing ceremony. Thomas More director Stijn Coenen:
‘San José State University is anchored in Silicon Valley. Thomas More is anchored in Flanders. We are half a globe apart, but we share the same ambition: to educate young people who embrace innovation and entrepreneurship.’
On 6 October, a select group led by Coenen also visited Adobe, another icon in creative technology. The discussions focused on digital media and marketing, areas in which Thomas More students are also being trained. On the same day, the collaboration with cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks was formally confirmed. Students already had access to the expertise and learning environments of Palo Alto Networks.
International exchange in practice
After Silicon Valley, the delegation travelled to Los Angeles. There, on 9 October, the partnership with College of the Canyons on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) was extended. The programme brings together students from different continents for joint projects. Last year, 50 first-year nursing students from Mechelen and Los Angeles worked together on medication safety. Next year, a summer school in Belgium will be added, and in 2027, Flemish students will travel to California.
In the heart of Hollywood
Thomas More, which itself is strongly committed to media and entertainment programmes, also visited the University of Southern California (USC) on 9 October. USC is known worldwide as a breeding ground for creative media and has legendary alumni and lecturers such as astronaut Neil Armstrong and filmmaker George Lucas. Pascale Aerts, Unit Manager for Media and Communication Programmes at Thomas More:
‘Entertainment and storytelling connect people worldwide. By giving our students access to Hollywood's expertise, we strengthen their creativity and their international opportunities.’
From California to Flanders
Thomas More brings knowledge and inspiration from California directly to Flanders. Among other places, to the Innovation Campus Geel, where work is being done on sustainable food systems and alternative proteins. Sofie Mols, Thomas More Director of Innovation & Internationalisation:
‘This mission comes at just the right time for us. California is truly the beating heart of global innovation. With our delegation, we are forging partnerships to realise our ambitions for, among other things, the Innovation Campus in Geel.’
Managing Director Stijn Coenen also emphasises that the timing is ideal: ‘Innovation doesn't happen on the sidelines. It happens here and now. For and later also by our students.’