Opening Academic Year 2026-2027

This year's opening of the academic year will be particularly special as we celebrate the 120th anniversary of ITM. On 15 October 1906, the Institute welcomed its very first cohort of students. Over the past 120 years, ITM has continually evolved into the institution we are today: an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and innovation, education and service.

Together, we will celebrate the start of a new academic year, mark 120 years of ITM and look ahead to the next chapter.

Distinguished ITM alumni and global health experts Dr Peter Piot and Dr John Nkengasong will deliver the keynote addresses. The programme will also feature the unveiling of a poem specially commissioned for ITM by Antwerp's City Poet, Esohe Weyden.

Programme

• 16:00-17:30 - Ceremony:

  • Welcome by Dr Bruno Broucker, Head of Education Office

  • Unveiling of the ITM anniversary poem by the City Poet of Antwerp, Esohe Weyden

  • Keynote address by Prof Peter Baron Piot, former Under Secretary-General United Nations and Executive Director UNAIDS, Director Emeritus London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

  • ITM at 120, voices from around the world

  • Keynote address by Dr John Nkengasong, ITM alumnus, Executive Director of the Mastercard Foundation and former Director-General of Africa CDC

  • A musical moment with the ITM choir

  • Official opening by Prof Özge Tunçalp, Executive Director of ITM

• 17:30-19:30 - Reception