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In early September, the University of Namur hosted the first Main-Group Elements Reactivity Conference (MG-ERC). Over 100 researchers from 12 countries and 32 institutions gathered around Professor Guillaume Berionni. An event hailed as "one of the best chemistry conferences" by its prestigious guests.

SummaryAt a time when a stream of research was striving to reformulate quantum mechanics by abolishing operators and substituting functions, Wigner and Szilard proposed in 1932 a quasi-probability distribution defined on phase space thanks to wave functions. They did not explain its genesis.The first part of our thesis proposes a genesis of this quasi-distribution, based on the natural conditions it must fulfill. It briefly examines a pathology it suffers from: exhibiting negative values in certain subdomains of the phase space (hence the "quasi"), a pathology that does no harm to the calculation of mean values. She then shows how, if we take spin into account, with wave functions giving way to spinners, we are led, thanks to the calculation of mean values of observables, to a generalization of this quasi-distribution in the form of a Hermitian matrix. This approach is extended to the Wigner cross transform, i.e. to weak values.An important theorem, which has been the subject of a publication, is proved in the second part of our thesis. Using harmonic analysis, this result expresses weak values in terms of an integral over a Lie group acting on the Hilbert space under consideration. We give two particular examples: SU(2) and SO(3). The case of a quotient group is briefly discussed.In a third section, we recall the well-known link between Clifford algebras and two important equations of quantum physics: the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, and its generalization to Riemannian spacetimes.Finally, in a fourth section we introduce spin groups, and use the spin group Spin(3,2) in the context of the Wigner cross transform discussed in the first section.JuryProf. André FÜZFA (UNamur), PresidentProf. Yves CAUDANO (UNamur), SecretaryDr. Thomas DURT (Institut Fresnel and Ecole Centrale Marseille, Marseille, France)Prof. Romain MURENZI (Worcester Polytecnic Institute)Prof. Dominique LAMBERT (UNamur)Prof. Bertrand HESPEL (UNamur)Prof. André HARDY (UNamur)

How does a river work? How do river overflows occur? What can be done to protect our territories from these risks? At UNamur, geography students followed an innovative teaching activity, using a 3D augmented reality sandbox, to learn about this issue. What are the aims of this tool? Simulate and analyze natural phenomena. A unique and immersive experience to better understand environmental dynamics and climate risks, carried out in collaboration with the non-profit organization Contrat de Rivière Ourthe.

Located in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is an island with a rich natural heritage and multiple cultural influences. For over 15 years, researchers from the University of Namur have been working with a number of Madagascan universities and institutes on a variety of themes, including environmental preservation, water management and institutional capacity building. Focus on some of these projects.

Anthony Simonofski and Olivier Sartenaer, have been elected to join the prestigious Collégium de l'Académie royale de Belgique. Bringing together young researchers (under 40) from Wallonia-Brussels who have particularly distinguished themselves in their careers, the Collégium's objectives include promoting the arts and research.

In October 2024, Guillaume Berionni, a researcher in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Namur, received the Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) triennial prize from its President, Professor Anne-Sophie Duwez. A fine reward for his research team in organometallic reactivity and catalysis (RCO), but also for our institution and its Department of Chemistry.

Since September 2023, Marc Hennequart, Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at UNamur, has been conducting groundbreaking research into pancreatic cancer. His team, based at the Faculty of Medicine and the Institut Narilis, studies the early stages of oncogenesis (the process of transforming a normal cell into a cancerous one) to better understand the metabolic changes behind this particularly aggressive cancer.

This is a fine reward for Professor André Füzfa, astrophysicist in the Department of Mathematics and head of the Astronomical Observatory at UNamur. On November 21, he received the "Coup de Coeur" award from the Trophées de Matière Grise, RTBF's popular science program 2024. These trophies aim to reward the country's scientists, who mobilize to disseminate their knowledge and insights to the general public.

The Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is an innovative course format promoted and financed by Erasmus+ funds to promote international mobility and pedagogical innovation. This type of program, combining a virtual component with short-term physical mobility (minimum 5 days), enables teachers and students to explore new teaching and learning methods while gaining international experience. At the University of Namur, the Summer School in Molecular Microbiology, organized from July 1 to 5, 2024, in the form of a BIP, is a successful example.

Animated by a desire to help the most disadvantaged, Father Pedro Opeka, a Lazarist priest, devotes his life to improving the living conditions of Madagascar's marginalized populations. His strong humanitarian commitment has resulted in the creation of Akamasoa, an association that provides shelter, education and healthcare to thousands of Malagasy people. By transforming the lives of an entire community in this way, he has become a symbol of hope in a country beset by poverty.

At the University of Namur, the MyCoach scheme offers invaluable help to support students in their academic career in the sciences. Spearheaded by the Faculty through Aurélie Tacheny, this project, initiated a year ago, aims to boost student success and perseverance by integrating a personalized support approach. The scheme, which is now being assessed, is based on regular meetings and individual follow-up (four key meetings with students, at strategic moments in the academic year).