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Education, Research & Societal Commitment Vrije Universiteit Brussel Education, Research & Societal Commitment Values 04 10 Education Research 14 Welcoming the world 21 Societal Commitment Excellence in results 26 30 Brussels Education Research Societal Commitment 05 Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Values Thinking must never submit itself, ‘Vrije’ = ‘Free’ (in English) • Research and thought neither to a dogma, nor to a party, nor without dogma to a passion, nor to an interest, nor to • Open atmosphere of a preconceived idea, nor to anything tolerance and diversity • Active pluralism, respect, whatsoever, except to the facts open-mindedness themselves, because for it to submit to anything else would be the end of its Personal growth, with a positive and critical attitude, in addition existence. to a sense of responsibility and open-mindedness, these are characteristics that you will encounter in everyone here at our Henri Poincaré (1854-1912) university, from professors and researchers to students and staff French mathematician and philosopher of science members. It lies at the very heart of our academic success. VUB promotes social diversity in its study programmes and in its student and staff policies, guaranteeing equal opportunities for all, without distinction on the grounds of gender, social or ethnic origins, beliefs, sexual orientation, age or disability. 1st Solvay Conference 1911, changing the world of physics VUB, a tradition of knowledge sharing Max Planck Ernest Solvay Marie Curie Henri Poincaré 07 1st Solvay Conference 1911, changing the world of physics 180 years of history In the spirit of Belgium’s independence He also set up the famous, and still in 1830, a university was founded in its ongoing today, Solvay Conferences, Albert Einstein capital, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). changing the world of physics and It was to become a university independent chemistry. from state and church, where academic freedom would reign. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) split off as the Dutch speaking homologue of ULB in ULB grew apace and rapidly occupied 1969 and it became a separate legal entity a prominent position in the national in 1970. Since then, VUB has established and international scientific landscape. an extensive Dutch and English taught For example: Ernest Solvay, chemist, portfolio. industrialist and philanthropist was Henri Poincaré deeply connected with the University and VUB-ULB can be proud of 5 Nobel prizes founded several scientific institutes, the and many other awards in science. most famous being the Solvay Business School, which is still part of ULB and VUB. VUB in a nutshell 3 green international Brussels University Hospital campuses + On-campus libraries + 721 beds } + Language centre + 324,961 consultations/yr + Computer labs + 30,621 hospitalisations/yr 13,920students + Job service + 3,496 staff, incl. academics + Career centre + 10 expert research domains + Sports facilities + Pioneer in ‘circle of life’ care + Medical care + Counselling + Housing services + Restaurants and cafes 6,780staff + Cultural activities 09 21% international 9,6% 127 232Mio non EEA students nationalities operating budget 11,7% EEA students* PhD Students: 1,443 42% 13,920students Advanced Master Students: 810 26% Master Students: 4,500 24% 6,780staff Bachelor Students: 5,200 10% national (Belgian) international *EEA - European Economic Area Education Economic & Social Sciences Science & Engineering Physical Education and Solvay Business School Bio-Engineering Sciences Sciences & Physiotherapy Psychology & Educational Medicine & Law & Criminology Arts & Philosophy Sciences Pharmacy 11 107 Dutch-taught programmes Choice - Flexibility - Guidance NEW 1 VUB offers a full range of Bachelor and Master courses, including various programmes English-taught Bachelor programme taught in English. The key concept in this range of courses is flexibility. The system of in Social Sciences (Communication/ majors and minors enables students to plan their studies in a way that best meets Politics/Sociology) their interests. Many courses are also adapted for working students. Highly accessible faculty, a good teacher/student ratio and small group workshops ensure close 33 interaction and hands-on experience. English-taught Master/ Advanced Master programmes Doctoral Schools 8 Unlike in other countries, PhD researchers in Belgium mainly conduct research, English-taught Postgraduate Certificate programmes sometimes in combination with some teaching assignments. However, they are not obliged to follow courses and/or earn credits. Our PhD students are junior researchers and are best placed to identify their own particular training needs, issues and concerns. Our Doctoral Training Programme is tailored to meet the actual needs of 5 each individual PhD student. Double degree Engineering The Programme offers a structural framework to acquire and develop skills that Master programmes support both research and teaching abilities, and proves valuable outside the academic environment. 3 Multidisciplinary Doctoral Schools VUB education delivers strong individuals, critical minds & world citizens 13 Unique educational concept Quality first We do not solely rely on our own Being a student at VUB means learning in an open education quality assessment. atmosphere of tolerance and diversity; it means Our students assess their courses growing into independent and critically-thinking every semester and external individuals. experts also closely monitor the 55% standard of our qualifications. VUB is a pioneer in education, always ready to go beyond the obvious and to meet the upcoming needs of society. VUB was the first university in Belgium to offer a whole range of new programmes: 86% All degree programmes offered communication sciences, computer sciences, of the students were by VUB are accredited by the biomedical sciences, gerontology, adult 31% satisfied according to the Dutch Flemish Accreditation education, photonics, herpetology, ... course evaluation survey Organisation (NVAO). very good good mediocre bad very bad not relevant 3% 0% 4% 7% Excellence in research Research 15 Excellence in research 36% non-governmental 94researchMio budget *in addition funding to the public funding Excellent reputation in the international circuit: + large number of references to our scientific publications + large participation in European research + commitment towards international aid and 158 2,500 development cooperation research groups publications in 2013 Research + numerous international congresses organised on our campuses At VUB we advocate the maintenance and development of our own quality-driven research culture, with respect for diversity of hypotheses and approach, personal initiative and long-term thinking. International experts commissioned by the Flemish University Council confirmed this through an assessment of our research. VUB supports all R&D activities: from scientific discovery and exploration of new knowledge up to invention and development, including interaction with regional and worldwide industrial and economic actors, the non-profit sector, policy makers and governments. Research clusters city dynamics societal challenges brain & behaviour smallest particles fighting diseases environmental issues the circle of life big data smart engineering Doctoral research PhD guidance by dedicated supervisors (charter of the good promoter) and 3 196 Multidisciplinary Doctoral Schools: Human Sciences / Natural Sciences and (Bioscience) PhD degrees awarded in 2014 Engineering / Life Sciences and Medicine Innovative results through stimulation of research validation 37 120 19 reported inventions active patent families new patent applications VUB’s industrial gateway in 2014 in 2014 The economic valorisation of the research conducted at VUB is one of the university’s key missions, implying: + organising awareness campaigns Interuniveristy seed capital (spin-offs) + stimulating entrepreneurship within the research community + creating spin-off companies founded on university know-how + following up of the patent strategy + maintaining an industrial and financial expert network VUB science communication platform 19 Knowledge centres Institute for European studies Study and research facility in European Studies, on the role of the EU Brussels Diplomatic Academy BRUSSELS DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY Knowledge centre for economic diplomacy and international enterpreneurship The Interuniversity Institute for High Energies, IIHE (ULB-VUB) Created in 1972, IIHE’s main research topic is the physics of elementary particles Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, (IB)² (IB)² brings together VUB and ULB research groups specialised in bioinformatics analysis of large scale omics data, into an interuniversity, cross-faculty laboratory ECHE ECHE is a research group and platform at VUB dedicated to research and cooperation on higher education issues in the EU and China 2 incubation centres VUB stimulates entrepreneurship IICB NV The VUB incubation centres ICAB and IICB offer support in setting up BUSINESS-INCUBATOR OFFICES business plans for start-ups and provide administrative, juridical and tax assistance. 24 flourishing spin-off companies Societal Commitment 23 VUB & Engagement Societal Commitment is one of VUB’s core values. From a 1,000 km bicycle ride to support the fight against cancer to its circle of life research, from innovative teacher training projects and educational science kits to development cooperation projects and environmental research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel always remains
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