Research in Entrepreneurship and small Business - RENT 2016 30th anniversary of the RENT Conference Antwerp, Belgium 16 – 18 November 2016 Location - Accommodation - Practical information - City plan 1 Contents Rent conference in Belgium, Belgium in a nutshell……………………………………………..…3 History of the University of Antwerp…………………………………………………………………4,5 Faculty of Applied Economics………………………………………………………………………………6 Antwerp, Belgium…………………………………………………………………………………………..…7,8 Reaching Antwerp………………………………………………………………………………………9,10,11 Locations ………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………12 Accommodations RENT 2016………………………………………………………..………………..13,14 Points of interest………………………………………………………………………………………………..15 Emergency information……………………………………………………………………………..……….16 City map with locations………………………………………………………………………………………17 2 Rent conference in Belgium Belgium in a nutshell 3 History of the University of Antwerp The University of Antwerp is a young university which has its origins in three separate institutions. UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius Antwerpen) RUCA (Rijksuniversitair Centrum Antwerpen) UIA (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen) Milestones 1852 In 1852, two commercial institutes were founded in Antwerp: the Rijkshandelshogeschool (the State School of Economics) and the Sint-Ignatius Handelshogeschool (the Sint Ignatius School of Economics). Initially geared to business and commerce, they helped to make Antwerp a world centre for commerce and culture. 1965 In 1965, the two commercial institutes gained university status and became Faculties for Economic Science. Studies in Medicine at undergraduate level were added to the Rijkshandelshogeschool, together with the first and second year of the Science courses, and renamed RUCA (Rijksuniversitair Centrum Antwerpen). The Sint Ignatius School of Economics expanded and offered first and second year courses in Arts and Social Sciences, and Law. In 1965, it was officially renamed UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius te Antwerpen). 1971 In 1971, the third institute, the UIA (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen) was founded. It offers second cycle studies to students from UFSIA and RUCA, post-graduates and PhD programmes. 1973 In 1973, these three institutions began to cooperate as a confederation under the name 'University of Antwerp' - 'UA' (Universiteit Antwerpen). Committed to closer cooperation, in 1995 an act of the Flemish parliament secured this cooperation by giving the UA a confederate structure. The confederation is governed by the Board of the UA and is directed by a Vice-Chancellor. 2003 In October 2003, they were finally brought together to form the University of Antwerp we know today. 4 2013-'14 In academic year 2013-'14, the university will welcome two new faculties. Artesis University College Antwerp's courses on product development and architecture will be integrated in the Faculty of Design Sciences at the University of Antwerp. Similarly, the engineering programmes at Karel de Grote University College and Artesis University College Antwerp will merge with the Faculty of Applied Engineering. Translation and interpreting courses will join the Faculty of Arts, while rehabilitation sciences and physiotherapy will be incorporated in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Read more. 5 Faculty of Applied Economics Hosting Faculty The Faculty of Applied Economics is the largest faculty at the University of Antwerp. Situated in the heart of Antwerp's lively city centre, the history of the Faculty of Economics can be traced back to 1852. Since then, it has evolved into the most international economic faculty in Flanders. The international accreditations that the faculty has received from AACSB and EFMD testify to the high quality of its education and research, and this type of recognition ensures our students have a wide range of international opportunities on all continents. Our highly valued cooperation with the Antwerp Management School also ensures a strong link with managers from the world of business. Our students enjoy the benefits of studying in an international city, the economic cornerstone of Flanders, with its rich cultural heritage and location in the heart of Europe. Our graduates are critical, creative and strategic policymakers in all kinds of organisations. Academic research is carried out in seven departments, to which we welcome international researchers and professors on a regular basis. They work closely together with the faculty personnel to create synergies between research and education. It is our pleasure to welcome you to Antwerp and to share with you our enthusiasm for our faculty. The faculty personnel will gladly help you find your feet in one of Belgium's most beautiful cities. 6 Antwerp - Belgium Antwerp is located on the river Scheldt and is the largest city in Flanders, in the Northern - Flemish speaking - part of Belgium, located in the center of Europe. Antwerp is the real urban deal, a refreshingly down-to-earth yet vivacious cosmopolitan habitat blessed with magnificent architecture, fashionable shop fronts, beer-washed pubs, dazzling monuments, jazzed-up clubs, inspired artworks and restaurant tables piled with plates of superb Belgian and multicultural food. Antwerp, home of the Flemish Baroque master Rubens, not only has a wealth of outstanding museums, picturesque galleries, sculpted streets and beautiful architecture, but is also laced with refreshing greenery and urban haunts. Its culture, history, vibrant nightlife and world class shopping are within easy reach, thanks to excellent access by air, train, motorway and even water. Because of its historical heritage, bubbling social and cultural life, Antwerp offers an excellent environment for education and research and, of course, makes a great location for the RENT Conference 2016. The history of the city of Antwerp is one of economic and cultural success over many centuries. The time of its greatest glory was the 16th century. Many remnants from those days can still be found in the historic city centre. The City Campus of the University of Antwerp is situated in the historical city centre and its central 16th century building “Hof van Liere”, is part of the cultural-historical patrimony of Antwerp. The Museum Plantin Moretus, a unique 16th century print shop and library, is a particularly wonderful and fascinating example. This Golden Age also boats some of Antwerp’s best-know painters: Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens and Teniers, whose works can be found in Antwerp’s museums and the city’s five monumental historic churches. The magnificent gothic Our Lady’s Cathedral is a category all of its own. It harbours Europe's second largest port and is considered the capital of diamond trade. The city has an illustrious century-old cultural history associated with the famous painters Rubens and van Dijck, the printer-editor Plantin, but its citizens also cherish the zoological garden, the recent MAS and Red Star Line museums and the medieval cathedral and churches. Fashion, shopping and dining occasions abound, making it a favourite destination for a city trip. Diamond capital of the world Antwerp owes its very existence and prosperity to the River Scheldt. The port of Antwerp is the second largest in Europe, and in the top ten worldwide. The diamond trade is another major economic factor: within one square kilometer, near the Central Station, 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and 50% of the world’s polished diamonds are traded. Fashion In recent decades, Antwerp has become a leading European trendsetter in the world of fashion. In 7 the 1980s the so called Antwerp Six took London and Paris by storm after graduating from the famous fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The movement they started is still going strong today, as one can easily tell from the many unique designers shops. Enjoy good food The people of Antwerp have always had a reputation for being gourmets. Because of its unique location, in the 16th century – the “Golden Age” – Antwerp was a port where all types of foodstuffs, drinks, herbs and spices from distant lands arrived. Even today a wide range of exotic foods is still on sale in Antwerp. The majority of Antwerp restaurants tend to go in the direction of the French cuisine, with the addition of a few fine Belgian touches or the use of typical Belgian ingredients. However, in this cosmopolitan city you will find a whole range of European, ethnic and biological cuisine as well as restaurants experimenting with the latest food fads. The greatest concentration of places to eat is in the areas around the historic city centre, the Central Station and the south quarter of Antwerp. Read more 8 Reaching Antwerp – Belgium By air Antwerp Airport Antwerp Airport is located at about 4 km from Antwerp city center. Bus 51, 52 or 53 brings you from Antwerp Airport to Antwerpen-Berchem railway station in 10 minutes where you can take bus 21 and 32 or tram 9 and 11 to Rooseveltplaats nearby Central Station, which is on walking distance (10 min) from the University of Antwerp, city campus. For more information www.delijn.be. Brussels Airport The international airport of Brussels (Zaventem) is the most frequently used gateway to Antwerp. There are flights from all major European cities as well as from the most important overseas metropoles. Various airlines fly into Brussels airport. From the airport you can travel to Antwerp by taking the train to Antwerp Central Station or the airport express bus. The direct train to Antwerp takes approximately 37 minutes