Electronics and Information Systems

Marc Vanwormhoudt was born in Kortrijk on the 17th of March of 1933.

In 1955, he obtained his electronic engineering degree (summa cum laude) at UGent (Ghent University, Belgium) and in 1961 his PhD in electrical engineering at M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, U.S.A.). He joined the lab of theoretical electricity in 1956. In 1966, he became professor and director of the laboratory of electronics and metrology (currently ELIS).

He was the author of numerous publications and several contributions in books.

He was a member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers), KVIV (Royal Flemish Engineer's Association), AIG (Association of Engineers of Ghent), Sigma Xi (Ghent University Chapter) and URSI (International Union of Radio Science).

He was member of the National Advisory Council on Communications (1971-1974), chairman of the Interfaculty Center for Computer Science (1974-1980), member of the Committee on Electricity and Mechanics of Belgian National Science Foundation (NFWO) (1977-1990), Scientific Adviser to ACPM-FAST Commission of the European Communities (1981-1985), secretary of the Engineering Faculty RUG (1978-1980), Dean of the Engineering Faculty UGent (1980-1982), Belgian representative with NATO Scientific Committee (1983-1988) and member of the Board of Trustees UGent (1987-1992). He was member of the Scientific Council of the Royal Meteorological Institute, Ukkel Belgium (since 1972, chairman: 1974-1986), member of CAWET, the Committee on Applied Science of the Belgian Royal Academy (since 1989) and chairman of the Committee on Computer Science of the Belgian National Science Foudation (NFWO) (since 1990).

His main interests were: digital electronics, communication engineering and signal processing. His teaching included

• General Electrical Technology
• Signal Processing
• Stochastic Processes

Distinctions he has won:

• 'Isabella of Portugal' award for the best engineering student (1955)
• Laureate of the contest for travel grants of the Belgian state (1958)
• CRB graduate fellowship of the Belgian American Educational Foundation (1955-1956)
• NATO-research fellowship (1959-1961)
• recipient of Francqui Chair, VUB (University of Brussels) 1973.

Professor Vanwormhoudt died in Afsnee, on the 6th of May 2006.