2024 HIGHLIGHTS IN PICTURES
VUB INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Do you have an international story or news? Let us know! www.vub.be/en/international www.facebook.com/VUBInternationalRelations international.relations@vub.be
THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE TEAM NEWBIES
2024 saw some staff changes in our office. “Newbies” joined us to replace people who left, or to provide temporary cover.
Sushmita joined the Erasmus+ team. replacing Eugenia.
Jorrit joined the university development cooperation team to replace someone who left.
Maha joined our office in 2023 (replacing Sarah) to handle legal and social affairs.
Bouchra joined the university development cooperation team to replace someone who left.
Daniela joined the Exchange team, replacing Lynn, and Hani will be her back-up while she is out on maternity leave.
On 9 February 2024 we welcomed some 150 new international students and interns who started the 2nd semester at VUB through their exchange programmes. The orientation day welcome event included an info session, a campus tour, and drinks afterwards. They came from 38 countries inside and outside of Europe.
VUB DELEGATION TO CHINA
In March, a VUB delegation led by Vice-Rector Internationalisation Karin Vanderkerken, went on a visit to China to meet with several partner universities: Beijing Normal University, the University of International Business and Economics, the Communication University of China, the Capital Normal University, Tianjin University, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Shanghai University of Sport, Fudan University, Tongji University, and Westlake University.
The trip also included a meeting with the Belgian ambassador, H.E. Bruno Angelet, in Beijing, to discuss the outcome of the meetings with the Chinese partners on student mobility (incoming/outgoing), joint programmes, shortterm programmes, scholarships, as well as to promote our English-taught Master’s programmes and PhDs.
The VUB delegation included the Vice-Rector Internationalisation Karin Vanderkerken, Jacqueline Couder, director of the VUB International Relations office, Xiaohong Tong, international recruitment and marketing, and Professors Paul Erdkamp from the Languages and Humanities Faculty, Sven Van Kerckhoven from the Brussels School of Governance, Tan Lu from the Sciences and Bioegineering Sciences Faculty, and Marc Theeboom from the Physical Education and Physiotherapy Faculty.
VUB PROJECTS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
In 2024, the ten-year collaborations with the Universidad Central de Las Villas in Santa Clara (VLIR-UOS Network on ICT), and Universidad Oriente, Santiago de Cuba (VLIR-UOS, Institutional University Cooperation) officially ended. At the same time, new TEAM projects started up with Cuban universities, but also in Tanzania, Peru, Bolivia, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
From 5-16 February, a multi-media art exhibition entitled, ‘The Resistance of Textiles’ was organised at VUB through the Global Minds programme, focused on weaving and wearing of ceremonial clothes as an expression and preservation of cultural identity of the indigenous people in Bolivia. The exhibition was a collaboration between the VUB departments of sociology, law, and educational sciences, and the Brussels RITCS school of arts. A lecture was also given by Maria Isabel Rojas, Gerrit Loots and Laura Vandewynckel.
Through the Global Minds programme XREI, there was a staff mobility citizen science project entitled ‘Enhancing water quality monitoring through citizen science, remote sensing and insitu measurements’ at Lake Victoria in Kenya. The project is a collaboration of the VUB Faculty of Engineering with researchers from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), and included a training workshop on how to use citizen science in water quality monitoring.
photo Ernest Ronoh
ERASMUS+ PROJECTS TEAM
In the Erasmus+ framework, VUB submitted 58 project proposals for the 2024 call, either as coordinator or partner. This is again an increase compared to last year, showing the continued growing interest in Erasmus+. Nine projects were selected for funding, of which three are coordinated by VUB, and VUB will be a partner in the other six. They include two capacity building projects and 5 cooperation partnerships with higher education, school education, NGOs, and sports. Throughout the project cycle, the International Relations office colleagues offer ongoing support from proposal writing to the end of the project, including the reporting phase, so in 2024 the support was still ongoing from already running projects from previous years.
In addition, the team organised a series of info sessions (on EU & university development cooperation funding opportunities, and on Erasmus+ funding opportunities), trainings (on project writing), and attended meetings in the framework of the EUTOPIA European university alliance.
OUR WORK IN EUTOPIA
The International Relations office works on responsible internationalisation, enhancing internationalisation (‘at home’ and ‘go abroad’) on our campuses, and the creation of tools in areas such as mobility, innovation and visibility on campus. The EUTOPIA working group focuses on analysing practices within the alliance. It held its first hybrid workshop in March, followed by a physical event hosted by Stellenbosch University, one of EUTOPIA’s global partners. The workshop looked at academic freedom and what it means for universities to establish and maintain fair partnerships across the globe. A second workshop took place in November in Paris, on the topic of research security.
Other student projects included the EUTOPIA certificate of internationalisation (EUCI), where students reflect on the impact of their international experience on their life and skills, and the International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR), where institutions from 5 continents allow students to engage with one another while presenting their research findings to an international audience. EUTOPIA was also involved in mapping and exploring future mobilities within the alliance.
In terms of mobility, our colleagues attended an innovative mobility workshop on behalf of EUTOPIA together with representatives from other European university alliances such as Una Europe, Circle U, EUCONEXUS, and EPICUR to discuss best practices in the field and explore other formats and opportunities in the mobility landscape. EUTOPIA shared its experience of projects such as TeamWork, EUCI, and the Connected Communities.
Science diplomacy is also one of the vital elements within our EUTOPIA work. Eight public events were held to shine a light on the rich intersection between science and foreign affairs, such as the role of universities as science diplomacy actors, how the changing world order affects international scientific cooperation, the intricacies of evidence-based policymaking, and the underexplored role of science diplomacy in cultural heritage protection. The VUB International Relations office is also working to ensure EUTOPIA is visible on the VUB campus and to help expand its important work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Projects for students continued, in particular with TeamWork, where 12 engaged VUB students took part alongside students from other partners within the alliance to participate in virtual projects from organisations across the world. The various student teams worked on challenges given to them by business partners. The students were given support and training before the project started to improve their intercultural, presentation and time management skills, and worked online in international teams for four weeks. VUB put forward four organisations based in Thailand, Portugal, and Belgium.
APRIL-MAY-JUNE
INTERNATIONAL DAYS & OUR BIRTHDAY
Our International Days this year focused on our department’s birthday! We celebrated 20 years in 2024, and had a birthday party, with a small quiz for visitors, and a chance to win prizes. Throughout 2024, we also celebrated by doing various team activities, including a visit to the fermentation labs on campus to see how bread, chocolate and beer were made, and a visit to the photonics lab in Gooik.
Other events during the international days 2024 included an info session for staff and PhDs on staff mobility opportunities, and on funding options for projects, as well as the yearly UDC Career Award. There were some events organised in conjunction with our colleagues from People & Organisation aimed at international staff.
As part of the International Days, the VUB’s University Development Cooperation award (UDC Career Award) was given to Professor Ann Nowé and Professor Geert Angenon. Both are seen as the embodiment of what the award stands for: nurturing partnerships and being an inspiration to others. Ann’s main research topics are machine learning, reinforcement learning, data-mining and bio-informatics and she is involved in numerous projects in Vietnam and Cuba. As specialist on the legislation of genetically modified organisms, Geert plays an important role in creating awareness on this issue. He has been involved in a number of projects in Vietnam, Cuba, and Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) within the framework of university development cooperation and VLIR-UOS.
photo Thierry Geenen
On 29 April Federal Minister of Development Cooperation, and Urban Policy, Caroline Gennez, visited VUB’s main campus. It was part of her Global Campus Tour of Flanders. During the visit, she received information on the collaboration between VUB and partner institutions in the Global South. This collaboration is facilitated by VLIR-UOS, which manages funding from the federal government. The Flemish Higher Education Institutions and partner institutions work together to find innovative solutions to both global and local challenges. It
photo Thierry Geenen
JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER
SUMMER ACTIVITIES & ORIENTATION DAYS
We welcomed some 1,200 new students who started in English-taught programmes in September during the Orientation Days. They are held in the days leading up to the start of the academic year and classes. This year’s general info session was combined with a series of other activities, including an exchange info session, a multilingual improv show with waffles afterwards, a welcome drink, campus tours, and a whole series of fun & games on campus and across Brussels. Three welcome emails were sent to 2,777 new students across summer and included an invitation to attend the Orientation Days.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GOODBYE
To give the international and exchange students a proper goodbye before they’re off on their next adventure, the International Relations Office organised the yearly International Student Goodbye on 3 July. The students got to create their own music playlist and enjoyed some drinks and each other’s company. Our Vice-Rector Internationalisation, Professor Karin Vanderkerken sent the students off with a goodbye-speech.
photo Thierry Geenen
photo Thierry Geenen
photoThierryGeenen
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SUMMER/WINTER SCHOOL
The International Relations office organised one summer school and one winter school with Chinese partner universities. The winter school saw 16 students come to VUB from the Communication University of China, and the summer school had 20 students who came to VUB in July for two weeks from three universities in China: Tianjin Normal University, Capital Normal University, and Northwest University. The winter school focussed on integration, communication and media in the European Union. The summer school focussed on exploring Europe.
EAIE in Toulouse
The European Association for International Education organises a yearly event for all higher education instutions. Every year, colleagues from the International Relations office attend the events and lectures, representing VUB.
INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT
In 2024, the international marketing & recruitment team attended physical fairs in Romania, China and Mexico. This past year, the team focussed on physical fairs attended by Study in Flanders & Brussels, which took place in Greece, Colombia, Chile, Vietnam, Indonesia, Serbia, Croatia, and Taiwan. In addition, online info sessions were set up with prospective students across the year.
Fair in Mexico
Fair in Romania
Fair in China
HELPING OUR STUDENTS
Sadly, 2024 saw world conflicts and natural disasters which impacted our students on many levels. The International Relations office and the VUB generally provide support, where possible, to those affected by the ongoing wars or disasters in their home countries by organising get-togethers for students and staff, set up psychological support or direct those affected towards possible financial help (via the Caroline Pauwels Relief Fund for international students). Students received the opportunity to share their story in a safe space, some of those personal stories were shared anonymously among the whole VUB community via news articles, with the consent of the student and with the purpose to raise awareness on the impact of the ongoing conflicts on VUB students or staff. We addressed the concerns of our students not only within VUB but also to external actors where VUB is represented such as VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity Council).
In 2024, the VUB student refugee programme received over 200 enquiries, which resulted in 63 applications from refugee/asylum seekers. More than 115 meetings (online/in-person and four online info sessions were held). 29 students were admitted to the VUB academic programmes, and in the end, 21 enrolled to start their studies.
photo by hxdbzxy via istock The International Relations office welcome and information desk gives guidance and info on town hall administration, housing, healthcare, migration, taxes, banking, etc to some 5,000 visitors each year. Some 30% of these drop by between September-November. Online info sessions are also offered and the colleagues join forces with those from four other departments at the Starting Point during the start of the academic year.
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
GO ABROAD FAIR, ALEF, BDA & DIPLOMACY
This year’s Go Abroad Fair took place on 10 October in Room Mandela. The fair was a big hit again as it is every year, with some 250-300 students popping by the 14 organisations throughout the day. The event was promoted at the Kick-off on campus Etterbeek and Jette, and there was a prize draw. There was also a Go Abroad Café on 19 November in the VUB Lounge 1050, where students could pop in for drinks and snacks, and have an informal, relaxed chat with students who had gone abroad already.
Go Abroad Café
Go Abroad Café
The Brussels Diplomatic Academy (BDA) saw its activities and partnerships grow this year. Its courses in diplomatic law and diplomatic protocol and etiquette for trainees of the Flanders’ Diplomatic Academy were moved to government premises and became more tailored. The BDA House of Diplomacy ran its first series of distinguished speakers luncheons and skills enhancing lectures.
In July, the BDA organised a conference entitled ‘Confronting the Landmine Challenge: Environmental Implications and Policy Responses’, with speakers from embassies, the UN, EU and NGOs, engaging in a much-needed conversation between mine-affected countries, demining organisations and donors.
The graduation ceremony for the BDA postgraduate certificate programmes were held at the Brussels Parliament in October. The first BDA diplomatic training programme for Master’s students from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (through the MoU), took place in Brussels, with contributions from BDA experts, as well as lectures, webinars and conferences across the year.
www.brusselsdiplomaticacademy.eu/
photo Ana Martins photography
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DAY
17 November is international student day, where we celebrate our international student community on campus. This year we chatted to two students who participated in EUTOPIA activities and heard their point of view on being involved in such international events. They also told us what it is like for them to study on campus with so many international students, and in international programmes at VUB and in Brussels. Check the QR code to find out what Helena and Jan had to say.
Helena at a EUTOPIA event
Jan in Brussels Helena & Jan in the VUB TeamWork group
ALEF PROGRAMME
The VUB received the top prize of the European Language Label for the VUB Alef programme. Across 2024, 700 pupils received an Alef certificate awarded to them by the Brussels Minister of Multilingualism, Sven Gatz, VUB Rector, Jan Danckaert, and VUB Vice-Rector for Internationalisation Karin Vanderkerken during a ceremony at the end of the school year on the VUB campus.
The team of the Alef programme also developed new audio and video material to support the Alef curriculum. Watch the video via the QR code below! www.
alef.vub.be
www.alef.vub.be
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Diplomacy plays a crucial role in the operations of the VUB International Relations Office. In 2024, we engaged in several diplomatic meetings with ambassadors from Tadjikistan, Czech Republic, Armenia. Collaborative efforts extended to working closely with representatives and ministers from the Federal, Flemish, and Brussels governments, addressing matters related to foreign affairs, student refugees, and scholars at risk. Throughout the year, VUB actively participated in Belgian Missions to key global locations, including a State Mission to France, where our Rector Jan Danckaert attended events as VUB rector but also as Chairman of the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR). There was a focus on the European University Alliances, so VUB represented the EUTOPIA alliance alongside partner CY Cergy Paris, and Sorbonne Université. The International Relations office also organised its own missions to Brazil to meet with partner universities, and our Vice-Rector joined the Belgian economic mission to Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro, to meet with local partners and alumni. At the start of December we organised an event to promote South Africa in collaboration with the South African embassy, the Belgian Chamber of Commerce to Africa (CLB-ACP), and with the Brussels Diplomatic Academy. In September we also had a visit from our Strategic International Partner, the University of Western Cape (UWC) to continue to reinforce the partnership.
State mission to France
UWC visit to VUB
