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Prof. Isabel Arends, Dean of the Faculty of Science, was appointed as doctor honoris causa in Technologies and sustainable development at the Université catholique de Louvain last Friday. In the online ceremony, Prof. Sophie Hermans (UCLouvain) emphasized Arends’ commitment to sustainability. “Clean, green, environmentably benign and renewable processes characterise the research and teaching of Isabel Arends. All towards a society that is sustainable.”

In his laudation, Prof. Vincent Blondel, rector of UCLouvain, also praised Arends for “her dedication to green and sustainable chemistry throughout her career.” He then invited Isabel Arends to don the blue and white cappa (shoulder gown) of UCLouvain.

We need to work together towards a circular society

In her acceptance speech, Arends adressed the responsibility of students and scientists in making a better world. “The twelve principles of Green Chemistry are an important guideline in my work. Principle 1 says: do not produce waste. We as chemists have created wonderful products, randing from medicines to semiconductors, but we have often neglected to worry about side-products and waste. We need to work together towards a circular society.”

Wider perspective

Arends also quoted marine biologist and author Rachel Carson: “In nature nothing exists alone.” We have to do our best to keep this wider perspective on technology solutions, she emphasized. “Most problems cannot be simplified or solved in isolation. Taking into account societal, economic and health perspectives requires more multi- and interdisciplinary science.”

Blessing in disguise

Arends said she had been looking forward to visiting Louvain-la-Neuve, where she would speak to young researchers and students about diversity, inclusion and advancement of scientific careers. However, she also mentioned a blessing in disguise of the online ceremony: “This pandemic can make an important contribution to our sustainability goals. Instead of travelling, we are now seeing that online collaboration can also make our lives easier.”

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  prof. dr. I.W.C.E. (Isabel) Arends

  Dean

  Professor

  Email: i.w.c.e.arends@uu.nl