# Geert Van Pamel > Belgian engineer and wikimedian **Wikidata**: [Q22668172](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22668172) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/geert-van-pamel ## Summary Geert Van Pamel received his education at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Ghent, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Sint Maarten Institute, Aalst, and Ghent University [1]. His professional work focuses on the fields of Linux, open-source software, open data, and server software . ## Summary Geert Van Pamel is a Belgian engineer, computer scientist, and active Wikimedian known for his contributions to open-source software, Wikimedia projects, and database administration. He has played key roles in organizations like Wikimedia Belgium and has worked extensively with Linux, OpenVMS, and geographic information systems. ## Biography - **Born**: March 25, 1959, in Aalst, Belgium - **Nationality**: Belgian - **Education**: - Master of Science in Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University (1977–1982) - Studied at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1982–1983) - Attended Sint Maarten Institute, Aalst (1968–1977) - **Known for**: Contributions to open-source software, Wikimedia projects, and database administration - **Employer(s)**: - Proximus (1997–2024) - Digital Equipment Corporation (1986–1997) - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1985–1986) - Volvo Cars (1983–1984) - Boerenbond (1982) - **Field(s)**: Computer science, open-source software, Wikimedia movement, database administration ## Contributions Geert Van Pamel has made significant contributions to open-source software and the Wikimedia movement. His work includes: - **Open-Source Software**: Contributions to projects like Asterisk (2014), Pywikibot, and server software such as Java, AdvFS, OpenVMS, and Tru64 UNIX. - **Wikimedia Movement**: Active member of Wikimedia Belgium (since 2014) and Wikimedia Nederland (since 2013), serving as chairperson of Wikimedia Belgium since 2016. - **Geographic Information Systems**: Work with tools like QGIS, PostGIS, and OpenStreetMap. - **Database Administration**: Experience with Oracle Database and Teradata Database. - **Publications**: Co-authored papers on medical imaging, including "Scintigrafie van de grijze hersenstof" and "Multidetector SPECT brain imaging with Tc-99m HM-PAO in Alzheimer's Disease." ## FAQs ### Q: What is Geert Van Pamel known for? A: Geert Van Pamel is known for his work in open-source software, Wikimedia projects, and database administration. He has contributed to various open-source projects and has been actively involved in the Wikimedia movement. ### Q: Where did Geert Van Pamel work? A: Geert Van Pamel has worked at Proximus (1997–2024), Digital Equipment Corporation (1986–1997), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1985–1986), Volvo Cars (1983–1984), and Boerenbond (1982). ### Q: What are Geert Van Pamel's contributions to the Wikimedia movement? A: Geert Van Pamel is a member of Wikimedia Belgium and Wikimedia Nederland, serving as chairperson of Wikimedia Belgium since 2016. He has contributed to various Wikimedia projects and open data initiatives. ### Q: What is Geert Van Pamel's educational background? A: Geert Van Pamel holds a Master of Science in Bioscience Engineering from Ghent University (1977–1982) and studied at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1982–1983). ### Q: What open-source projects has Geert Van Pamel contributed to? A: Geert Van Pamel has contributed to projects like Asterisk, Pywikibot, and server software such as Java, AdvFS, OpenVMS, and Tru64 UNIX. ## Why They Matter Geert Van Pamel's work in open-source software and the Wikimedia movement has had a lasting impact on the accessibility and development of free knowledge and technology. His contributions to projects like Asterisk and Pywikibot have improved communication and automation tools, while his involvement in Wikimedia Belgium and Wikimedia Nederland has strengthened the Wikimedia community in Belgium and the Netherlands. His expertise in database administration and geographic information systems has also advanced the use of open data and spatial analysis tools. ## Notable For - Chairperson of Wikimedia Belgium since 2016 - Contributions to open-source projects like Asterisk and Pywikibot - Active member of Wikimedia Belgium and Wikimedia Nederland - Co-author of papers on medical imaging and database administration - Experience with server software and geographic information systems ## Body ### Early Life and Education Geert Isidoor Van Pamel was born on March 25, 1959, in Aalst, Belgium. He attended Sint Maarten Institute in Aalst from 1968 to 1977. He earned a Master of Science in Bioscience Engineering from Ghent University (1977–1982) and studied at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (1982–1983). ### Career Geert Van Pamel has had a diverse career in engineering and computer science: - **Boerenbond** (1982): Early career role. - **Volvo Cars** (1983–1984): Worked in the automotive industry. - **Katholieke Universiteit Leuven** (1985–1986): Academic role. - **Digital Equipment Corporation** (1986–1997): Worked with server software and operating systems like OpenVMS and Tru64 UNIX. - **Proximus** (1997–2024): Long-term role in telecommunications and IT. ### Open-Source and Wikimedia Contributions Geert Van Pamel has been actively involved in open-source software and the Wikimedia movement: - **Open-Source Software**: Contributed to projects like Asterisk (2014), Pywikibot, and server software such as Java, AdvFS, OpenVMS, and Tru64 UNIX. - **Wikimedia Movement**: Member of Wikimedia Belgium (since 2014) and Wikimedia Nederland (since 2013), serving as chairperson of Wikimedia Belgium since 2016. - **Geographic Information Systems**: Worked with tools like QGIS, PostGIS, and OpenStreetMap. - **Database Administration**: Experience with Oracle Database and Teradata Database. ### Publications Geert Van Pamel has co-authored several papers on medical imaging and database administration, including: - "Scintigrafie van de grijze hersenstof" - "A new thresholding method for volume determination by SPECT" - "Multidetector SPECT brain imaging with Tc-99m HM-PAO in Alzheimer's Disease" ### Personal Life Geert Van Pamel is married and has four children: Pieter Van Pamel and Katrien Van Pamel. He is fluent in Dutch, English, French, and German. He is a member of several organizations, including Koninklijke Vlaamse Ingenieursvereniging and HackYourFuture Belgium. ## Schema Markup ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Geert Isidoor Van Pamel", "jobTitle": "Engineer, Computer Scientist, Wikipedian", "worksFor": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Proximus"}, "nationality": {"@type": "Country", "name": "Belgium"}, "birthDate": "1959-03-25", "birthPlace": "Aalst, Belgium", "alumniOf": [ {"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Ghent University"}, {"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Katholieke Universiteit Leuven"}, {"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Sint Maarten Institute, Aalst"} ], "knowsAbout": [ "Open-Source Software", "Wikimedia Movement", "Database Administration", "Geographic Information Systems", "Computer Science" ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18786302", "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Geert_Van_Pamel" ], "description": "Belgian engineer, computer scientist, and Wikimedian known for contributions to open-source software and the Wikimedia movement." } ## References 1. LinkedIn 2. [Source](https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Belgium)