Newletter May 2008

Dear Partner,

We are already well on our way in 2008, the fifth year of existence for IBBT. In our activity report 2007 that is now available on our renewed website, we provide you with our achievements of last year. But the first months of 2008 have been equally busy, culminating in our brokerage event last month. Judging from the announcements in this newsletter the pace is not slowing down. We hope to see you at one of the following events before you take a well-deserved summer break.

User-centricity is the buzz word today in the ICT sector. But what does it mean in practice and how can innovative companies meet user needs satisfactorily? Toon Coppens from Netlog and Nick Leon from Design London gave their views of this challenge at the previous IBBT Brokerage Event. (For more information: link) Almost 500 visitors could choose from no less than 16 parallel break-out sessions. This provided sufficient food for conversation during the breaks and the closing buffet. You can find pictures, a video impression and the presentations at http://events.ibbt.be/brokerage.

On Wednesday June 25th, we are celebrating the opening of iLab.t, which provides lab infrastructure to evaluate technical feasibility, performance and service quality of your ICT innovation at the earliest possible stage. Patricia Ceysens, Flemish Minister for Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade will explain how iLab.t´s activities relate to Flemish policy. Bernard Barani (European Commission) will give his views on the European research agenda related to converged networks and services. A few companies will also testify about the importance of iLab.t for their research and development activities. Furthermore, a demo-tour will guide you through the major capabilities of the iLab.t infrastructure. Participation in this opening event is free of charge, but registration in advance is mandatory: http://events.ibbt.be/ilabtlaunch

On Wednesday June 18th 2008 we organize a workshop on the Tr@ins project (TRAin IP Network Services). The scope of the workshop is to present the final scientific and technological achievements within the IBBT Tr@ins project. The project has focused on broadband wireless access solutions for train commuters, dealing both with movements of train commuters and crew in the train and high speed movements of the train. Participation to the workshop is free of charge, but registration in advance is mandatory: http://events.ibbt.be/workshoptrains

That our contract research has taken of is illustrated by the fact that we made it into the top ten of participation to the EP7-ICT Future Networks Portfolio, both in terms of participation in projects as from a budgetary point of view. For more information: click here.

On June 4th - 5th 2008 the FITT project kicks off. The FITT project will help IBBT to benchmark its TT-model and create a better design of its valorisation process, from the initial basic research over collaborative research with the business community till the creation and funding of spin offs, by creating the necessary tools as well as the international perspective that is essential for all ICT business driven research.

We are also proud to announce that Hong Sun, doctoral student with IBBT research group PATS (University of Antwerp) received the First Prize in the 'FITCE.be Young ICT Personality 2008' competition. In his presentation "Towards Longer, Better, and More Active Lives - Building Mutual Assisted Living Community for Elder People" he detailed the vision of constructing a so-called "mutual assistance community" to assist the elder people live independently.

Finally we would like to draw your attention to the following events, in which we are gladly participating:

• Kick-off event Gent BC (30 May): www.gentbc.be/kickof_nl.php
• Think Tomorrow (5 June): www.thinktomorrow.eu
• Eurodigimeet (9-10 June): www.eurodigimeet.com
• Profoss event on Open Office (10 June): http://www.profoss.eu/events

We hope to meet you again at one of these occasions!

Best regards,

The IBBT team