Introduction to Vrije Universiteit Brussel

2. 5-6-2014 pag. 2
Brussels, EU center
• EU- /NATO- headquarters
• World’s largest press centre
• Largest diplomats community
• First Congress City in Europe
• 1.1 Million inhabitants
• 104 different languages
• 33% of foreign origin
• More than 90 000 students
• 33th Best Student City 2013

3. 5-6-2014 pag. 3
Brussels, traditional knowledge center
1th Solvay conference 1911, changing the world of physics
2
3 4
5
1
1. Max Planck
2. Ernest Solvay
3. Marie Curie
4. Henri Poincaré
5. Albert Einstein

4. 5-6-2014 pag. 4
VUB, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Sciences & Engineering, Human Sciences, Life Sciences & Medicine
• 8 faculties, 2 international campuses in the city
• English and Dutch taught programmes
• Department of Teacher Education
• Public – private university
• Brussels university hospital
• €222 Mio operations budget
• Largest Dutch employer
in Brussels (>6,500 people)
• 14, 200 students
• 21% international students

5. 5-6-2014 pag. 5
VUB roots
• 1830: Belgium, an independent Country
• 1834: University in Brussels, French spoken (ULB)
• 1963: All faculties at ULB offer courses in Dutch
• 1970: VUB independence act, full programmes in Dutch
• 2011: Foundation of Brussels University Alliance by VUB & ULB
• Today: large selection of programmes in English
‘Vrije’ - Free (English) – Frei (German)?
• Research and thought without dogma
• Open atmosphere of tolerance and diversity
• Active pluralism, respect, open mindedness

6. 5-6-2014 pag. 6
Prestigious colleagues & alumni
• Top scientists and alumni
– 2 Field Medals in mathematics
– 33 reported inventions (2013)
– 150 Research groups
– 2 200 publications (2013)
• Examples?
– Ingrid Daubechies, Mathematician
– Karel De Gucht, European commisioner
– Pattie Maes, Computer scientist at MIT
– Ulla Werbrouck, Judo champion
– Axelle Red, singer /Unicef ambassador

7. 5-6-2014 pag. 7
Honorary doctorates
Examples
• Nelson Mandela (Politician)
• J.Cousteau (Oceanographer)
• Kim Clijsters (Tennis player)
• Toots Thielemans (Musician)
• Fatou Bensouda (Chief prosecutor)

8. 5-6-2014 pag. 8
8 Faculties
• Economic & Social Sciences and Solvay Business School
• Science & Bio-Engineering Sciences
• Physical Education & Physiotherapy
• Psychology & Educational Sciences
• Arts & Philosophy
• Law & Criminology
• Medicine & Pharmacy
• Engineering Sciences
33%
55%
6% 3% 0% 3%
Course Evaluation Survey 2013

9. 5-6-2014 pag. 9
VUB education
• Programmes
– 108 Dutch taught programmes
– 36 English taught Master / Advanced Master programmes
– 5 English taught Postgraduate Certificate programmes
– PhD-guidance by 3 Doctoral Schools
– Double degree Engineering Master programmes

10. 5-6-2014 pag. 10
VUB education
Unique educational concept:
– Highly personalised
– Open-door policy
– Small groups
– Hands-on experience
– Multidisciplinary
– Pioneer
– Creating strong individuals
– Commited to sustainable society
– World citizens
– Independent, with inquiring attitude
– High employability

11. 5-6-2014 pag. 11
On 2 international campuses
• Green VUB campuses in city center
• Broad range of on-campus facilities:
– On campus libraries
– Language center
– Career center
– Sports facilities
– Medical care
– Counselling
– Housing support
– Restaurants and cafés

12. 5-6-2014 pag. 12
Plus Brussels University Hospital
• 721 beds
• 305 875 consultations/yr
• 54 201 hospitalisations/yr
• 3 450 staff, incl. academics
• 10 expert research domains
• Pioneer in ‘end of life’ care

13. 5-6-2014 pag. 13
Research excellence
• € 86 million research budget
• 33% is non government based funding
• 150 research groups, including pioneer photonics lab in Belgium
and key positions at CERN in Switzerland
• Research validation activities:
– VUB industrial gateway
– Interuniveristy seed capital (spin-offs)
– VUB science communication platform

14. 5-6-2014 pag. 14
Research excellence
• 2 incubation centers ICAB Brussels and IICB Zellik
• 20 flourishing spin-off companies

15. 5-6-2014 pag. 15
Connected institutes & networks
• VUB institutes
Brussels’ primary platform for debating
contemporary China-Asia
Knowledge center for economic diplomacy
and international enterpreneurship
Study and research facility in
European Studies, on the role of the EU

16. 5-6-2014 pag. 16
Connected institutes & networks
• VUB affiliates & networks
• Connected with 76 universities in 38 countries
• Alliance with University Ghent
• Brussels University Alliance with ULB
• Partnership Northwestern Polytechnical University (China)
• University Centre for Development Cooperation (UCOS)
• Vesalius College
• University Association Brussels (UAB)
• Network Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA)
• Top Industrial Managers for Europe (T.I.M.E.)
• China Scholarship Council (CSC)
• 497 LLP agreements with 245 partner universities

17. 5-6-2014 pag. 17
International status
• Best Student Cities 2013: Brussels 33
• Brussels QS University Ranking 2013: 172
• Times Higher Education Ranking: 251–275
• Shanghai Jiao Tong Ranking: 301–400 (Top 5%)
• Award International Student Satisfaction 2013

18. 5-6-2014 pag. 18
International status
• 14 200 students
• 123 nationalities
• 79% Belgian
• 11% EEA students
• 10% non EEA

19. 5-6-2014 pag. 19
International partnering
5/06/2014 | pag. 19
Group mobility
Joint programmes – curriculum development
Joint degrees
----------------------------------------------
Joint research
Joint labs
----------------------------------------------
Joint technology transfer
Joint incubators
Joint regional development

20. 5-6-2014 pag. 20
International Relations & Mobility Office
Email: International.Relations@vub.ac.be
Tel: +32 (0)2 614 81 01
Website: www.vub.eu