Jozef Vercruysse's Love for Parasites: a 40 Years Carrier

Abstract

Proficiat Jef On 2 July 2015, emeritus celebrations were held in honour of Professor Jozef Vercruysse at the University of Ghent. His special relationship with Tropicultura, together with the scope and quality of all that he has accomplished during his professional life in the field of parasitology, which plays a particularly important role in improving living conditions for populations in tropical regions, prompted us to devote an article to his career in this edition. This will enable everyone to appreciate the achievements of this very great scientist and teacher, whose reputation extends far beyond the borders of Belgium. Jozef Vercruysse took over from Professor Jozef Mortelmans as president of Agri-Overseas on 28 February 1990. He accepted this responsibility out of love for the tropics and the farmer populations that he worked alongside in a variety of countries. He began his career in Africa, before completing many different research projects in Africa and Asia, by forging links between the laboratory of parasitology at the University of Ghent, which he headed from 1983, and a wide range of research institutions in the southern hemisphere. He also agreed to become president because he knew that Tropicultura was a useful means of sharing research findings, which would have useful outcomes for development, but were sometimes of a very applied nature. This made it difficult to publish them in scientific journals, which were still highly specialised, especially for young researchers in developing countries. Throughout his long tenure, he allowed us to benefit from his foresight, peerless strategic and management skills, as well as his vast network of contacts in scientific, academic and other important circles, in order to promote our activities. He did this, like everything that he did, with a great deal of humility and generosity. At this special time in his life, we would like to sincerely thank him for all that he has done. However, this stage in his career does not mark the end of our partnership. We know that we can continue to rely on him for many years to come and that his support will be highly invaluable to us, as we continue our work. We would therefore like to congratulate him by saying "Proficiat Jef". Long may you continue to delight us with your altruism and friendship.