French-Speaking Universities CIRI. Inter-University Committee for International Relations

Transcription

1 International Relations in the French-Speaking Universities of Belgium CIRI Inter-University Committee for International Relations

2 Very International Universities! The universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation distinguish themselves by the quality of their teaching and research, their wide accessibility to an international audience and their integration in the best networks. Highly regarded, they attract a huge number of students and researchers from around the world who come to enhance their education. While the universities in the Federation belong to the French-speaking world, they offer many courses in English and most of their research laboratories work in a bilingual or multilingual environment. This international outlook comes as no surprise; Belgium is the political heart of Europe and Brussels is home to the main institutions of the European Union and many international organisations. Located at the crossroads of several major linguistic groups (French of course, but also English, German and Dutch) and less than a two-hour flight or train ride from the main European capitals, Belgium is naturally in direct contact with the world. The French-speaking universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation quite naturally decided to join forces and work as one at the international level. This led to the creation of the CIRI (Commission Interuniversitaire des Relations Internationales), which brings together the academic and administrative heads of the universities international relations departments. The CIRI is now a model of organisation and collaboration enabling the universities to speak with one voice to all similar organisations abroad. The CIRI is, as it were, the first gateway for those seeking contacts with universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Without erasing the specificities of each individual university, the CIRI facilitates management of international collaborations in all those domains where it is more effective to work together. The present brochure illustrates perfectly the CIRI s role; it presents both the environment in which the universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation move and the individual characteristics of each and every one of them. Médiathèque UE The relatively small size of its territory and its easy accessibility also explain the international vocation of a country which has always privileged cross-border exchanges and collaborations and which was one of the leading architects of European integration. It is therefore not surprising that higher education institutions now follow the same path. Here s wishing you an enjoyable read. Serge Jaumain President of the CIRI 1

3 Table of Contents Very International Universities! 1 An Ideal Environment 3 High quality education in all areas of knowledge 4 Excellence in research 5 A truly international outlook 6 The CIRI: a unique forum for interuniversity and international collaboration! 7 Université catholique de Louvain 8 Université libre de Bruxelles 10 Université de Liège 12 Université de Mons 14 Université de Namur 16 Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles 18 Websites and Other Useful Links 20 Marie-Hélène Grégoire 2

4 An Ideal Environment M. Vanden Eeckhoudt At the heart of geographical and political Europe The universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are located in the centre of one of the most dynamic countries in Europe, which has distinguished itself over time by its creativity in many fields. Its capital, Brussels, is also the capital of Europe: the city where European institutions, major international organisations and many multinational companies have chosen to locate their headquarters. Belgium has 3 official languages and another 20 are spoken by the European officials and employees who live there. Marked by cultural and linguistic diversity, Brussels and Wallonia have seen the rise and flourishing of Art Nouveau architecture, comic strips and even surrealism. Brussels and Wallonia, only 2 hours away from several major European cities (such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Milan) are the ideal base from which to explore Europe. Ranked 18th in the world Human Development Index, Belgium enjoys an excellent quality of life. Its universities are recognized to be welcoming places where people enjoy studying, carrying out research or pursuing an international career in the heart of Europe. A high quality research and study environment In this international context, the universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) welcome a high percentage of foreign students and researchers (21% on average) who receive a high-quality education at a low cost, thanks to public investment. A recent study of all OECD countries based on the "h-index" highlighted the exceptional productivity of Belgian researchers. This can be explained by the concentration of universities in a small geographic area and the existence of poles and networks bringing together the best researchers. Networking The universities in the FWB organize or are members of various networks: among themselves (within the CIRI), with border regions and at the international level. They have signed and sustain partnerships with the world's best universities and their researchers are integrated in the main European and international networks. UMONS 3

5 J. Delorme High quality education in all areas of knowledge 77,346 students in FWB universities ( ) 43,309 students 1st cycle (Bachelor level) 27,545 students 2nd cycle (Masters level) 6,377 students 3rd cycle (PhD level) P. Pellizzari Bologna, a founding principle Since the Bologna reform, higher education within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) has been organized in three cycles: Bachelor 3 years [180 ECTS] Master 2 years [120 ECTS] 1 years [60 ECTS] PhD min. 3 years Advanced Masters (1 year, 60 ECTS) organized by universities in the FWB enable students who already hold a Master s degree to further specialize in a particular discipline. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is based on an estimate of the student s workload: each ECTS corresponds to about 30 hours of work; one year includes 60 ECTS. This European standardisation improves the readability of degrees, promotes student mobility and facilitates the development of university partnerships. The institutions in the FWB are involved in numerous international networks, such as Erasmus Mundus (Master s degree and PhD), TIME, etc. The universities in the FWB also network among themselves; for example, they collaborate closely on the organization of interuniversity PhD schools and international programmes for students from developing countries. Renowned teaching Universities in the FWB offer optimal support: preparatory courses, personalized methodological support and training on the use of new ICT tools (virtual campus, videoconferencing, e-learning platform, etc.) The excellence of their programmes derives from the close link between teaching and research, which enables students to be in direct contact with the latest scientific developments. In many programmes, internships offer students practical field experience that facilitates their integration into a work environment. High quality education available to students from around the world The French-speaking universities in the FWB offer many programmes in English, mainly at Masters level. It is also very common for PhD students to have all their training conducted exclusively in English. The universities also offer a wide range of language courses. The quality of our university education, which is guaranteed by internal evaluations and external assessments conducted by independent bodies, ensures that the universities in the FWB are internationally renowned. 4

6 Excellence in research J. Delorme ULg - M. Houet High quality research in a well structured environment Centres for the creation and diffusion of knowledge, the universities in the Wallonia- Brussels Federation (FWB) have the mission to promote scientific development, with fundamental research and innovation being the driving force behind researchers and the students working with them. The Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS) contributes to the development of fundamental research within the universities by funding both the preparation of PhDs and the implementation of programmes conducted by research teams. Applied research benefits from the support of the Walloon and Brussels regions and from many public-private partnerships. In the Walloon region, six competitive poles have created an original dynamics associating businesses, research centres and universities in innovative projects that can be developed in the short term. To facilitate this public-private partnership, the universities in the FWB have joined forces to create the LIEU network (Liaison Entreprises-Universités) which brings together their interfaces and technology transfer offices and offers expertise on the mounting of international projects, intellectual property rights and technology transfer to businesses. The inter-university nature of our research projects, as exemplified by prestigious European framework programmes, both promotes excellence and enables researchers to enhance their experience within international networks. Research teams accessible to international researchers Our university research teams are very international, due to a transparent recruitment policy and openness to outside applications. To improve awareness of the mobility support available to researchers, the EURAXESS electronic portal has gathered together all relevant initiatives and services (job and funding opportunities, legislation etc.). The quality and dynamic nature of research is built in large part around our PhD students, who are offered extensive academic training that includes not only the preparation of an original thesis but also specialised courses organised by interuniversity PhD schools. International co-supervision of PhDs is also warmly encouraged. PhD candidates can often benefit from a grant or paid employment within the university. All scientific staff, whether teaching assistants or researchers, have a recognized and rewarding employment status. J. Delorme 5

7 A truly international outlook D. Van Acker Many interuniversity collaborations European programmes are now open to partnerships with researchers from around the world. Universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) are very active in the European research area and have developed recognised expertise in the preparation and management of programmes offered by the European Commission. Through the CIRI, our universities have also developed lasting relationships with similar international associations of universities around the world. As the single point of contact for all the universities in the FWB, the CIRI facilitates the concluding of international agreements. International universities The Bologna process has facilitated and promoted the international outlook of all universities. The universities in the FWB have taken advantage of this to open up their academic training to foreign students. Alongside French, English has become the language of communication at both Master s and PhD level. The internationalisation of universities is also characterized by high student mobility. By the end of their studies, more than 20% of FWB graduates will have studied abroad. Those who have not had this opportunity will at least have been able to benefit from the fact that more than 21% of students on the FWB campuses come from abroad. Thanks to this exceptional international exposure, students and researchers in the FWB are, more than ever before, citizens of the world and student, professor and researcher mobility has become a powerful learning and innovation tool. In recent years the CIRI has welcomed or visited other academic associations such as: FAUBAI (Brazil), ABRUEM (Brazil), ANUIES (Mexico), CRUCH (Chile), CIN (Argentina), Club of Eight (Australia), CREPUQ (Quebec) Various national research funds are in contact with the CIRI: CAPES and CNPq (Brazil), CCS (China), VIED (Vietnam), JPSP (Japan), Becas Chile (Chile)... The CIRI has represented universities in the FWB at official missions in many countries: Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Japan, China, Vietnam, Australia, United States of America, Canada. 6

8 The CIRI: a unique forum for interuniversity and international collaboration! The CIRI (Commission Interuniversitaire des Relations Internationales) is the forum for reflection, dialogue, coordination and international promotion (outside the EU) of all the universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB). Made up of the academic authorities and heads of international relations of its member universities, the CIRI meets monthly to share information, reflect on priorities and establish collective actions in the fields of international relations and mobility. These exchanges enable universities in the FWB not only to speak with one voice, but also to set joint objectives and then to implement them and manage specific horizontal projects. An example of a partnership managed by the CIRI In 2012, the CIRI negotiated and concluded a comprehensive agreement involving all the universities in the FWB, the CNPq and the CAPES within the framework of the Brazilian Science without Borders programme. The agreement is managed by a working group composed of one representative from each university and coordinated by the CIRI Secretariat. At the June 2012 selection session, more than 100 young Brazilians applied to study at a French-speaking university in Belgium. Thirty of them were selected. J. Delorme These actions include: > collective representation of FWB universities abroad > international promotion of FWB university education > organisation of interuniversity missions abroad > welcoming of foreign delegations > negotiation and management of partnership and mobility agreements. The CIRI has a permanent secretariat in Brussels (at the Conseil interuniversitaire francophone) which is the universities single point of contact for collective projects and actions. The Secretariat coordinates and implements the projects, shares information and monitors matters related to the internationalisation of universities. The CIRI is chaired by the Vice-Rector for International Relations of one of the universities in the FWB, who holds office for a period of two years, renewable once. CIRI - Inter-University Committee for International Relations CIUF - Conseil Interuniversitaire de la Communauté Française Lise-Anne Hondekyn, CIRI coordinator ciri@ciuf.be Tél. : , Rue d Egmont, 1000 Brussels Belgium 7

9 Université catholique de Louvain The Université Catholique de Louvain was founded in 1425 and is one of the oldest universities in the world alongside the universities of Bologna, Oxford, Cambridge, Paris and Coimbra. Its long list of illustrious professors include the humanist Erasmus, the geographer and cartographer Mercator and the anatomist Andreas Vesalius, and more recently the physicist Georges Lemaître (father of the theory of the Big Bang), the winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine, Christian de Duve and the philosopher Jean Ladrière. In 1972, two separate universities were founded to replace the mediaeval university originally located in Leuven. A Flemish university that remained in Leuven and a French-speaking university in Louvain-la-Neuve and Brussels. J. Delorme UCL continues to expand and merge with other institutions. In 2010, following the integration of the Higher Institutes of Architecture in Tournai and Brussels, a new Faculty of Architecture, of Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning (LOCI) was created. In 2011, UCL merged with the Catholic University Faculties of Mons (FUCaM) as part of a project to expand the availability of education and research as a service to society. The university today comprises six campuses: Louvain-la-Neuve, Brussels - Woluwe, Mons, Tournai, Brussels - Saint-Gilles, Charleroi. It is divided up into three sectors: human sciences, medical sciences and technology, which are in turn divided into 14 faculties and 21 research institutes. Place de l Université 1, box L B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) Tel. +32 (0) Fax +32 (0) Vincent Sezibera, PhD in Psychological Sciences and University Professor. I spent five years at UCL in the Psychology Faculty studying for my PhD. I was very impressed by the human and community spirit that is so typical of this university. I felt at home at all times at Louvain-la-Neuve. As international students, we benefited from special attention. Multiculturalism, values and different projects for the southern hemisphere were all taken into consideration. Do I have any special memories? There are so many : 24-hour bicycles, welcome ceremonies for international students, the project rooms, etc. 8

10 The University has privileged relationships with almost 700 partners A university that is open to the world UCL boasts 27,000 students and almost 5,600 staff and presents an image to the outside world that is Belgian, European and international. One fifth of the population of UCL is made up of international students that represent more than 127 nationalities. One quarter of the graduates from UCL study a significant part of their courses at partner universities. This is the result of UCL s policy of openness to the world and its ever-growing range of international activities. Research partners, exchange students and teachers, recruitment of international academics, researchers and PhD students and participation in inter-university networks (COIMBRA, Erasmus Mundus, CLUS- TER, CEMS, etc.) are all elements that contribute to UCL s ability to create a dense network of European and international partners. international exchange The University has privileged relationships with almost 700 partners, mainly via ERASMUS, the European exchange programme and Mercator, UCL s exchange programme outside of the European Union. These international exchange programmes that form an integral part of the core of its education programme, reinforce the J. Delorme open character of our graduates and are a strong consolidating element in their education. These programmes are an institutional priority both in terms of teaching quality as well as research development. It was with this in mind, that UCL recently established a privileged partnership with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States and in fact it is the first Belgian university to do so. We also mention that UCL has obtained the ECTS label for the second time. This label is awarded by the European Union for the management quality of its exchange programmes. UCL has a reputation for the quality of its research and its teaching and was classified 103rd in the world in the Shanghai 2012 ranking. It puts its wide range of competences and assets to the service of society and the cultural, economic and social development thereof. Research and innovation At the heart of its teaching philosophy is a strong connection between teaching and research as is demonstrated in its pioneering role in the development of e-learning innovations. UCL is also committed to reinforcing its research and innovation capacity by supporting advanced research and by encouraging interactions with the business facts and figures 42 Bachelor programmes (2012) 184 Master programmes (2012) Students (2010) 895 Outgoing mobility students ( ) 18% International Students (2010) 1991 PhD students (2010) 47 Spin-offs Staff number (fte): 4253 world and more broadly in society as a whole. The science park that adjoins the university campus was created at the same time as the town of Louvain-la-Neuve and is the biggest science park in Wallonia (231 ha). The park is home to almost 160 companies operating in the field of R&D and innovation and generates more than 5,000 jobs. Another mark of its profile of openness is the fact that a large number of UCL research results are made available to society and more particularly to companies via the LTTO (Louvain Technology Transfer Office). LTTO helps researchers obtain financing, set up industrial partnerships, market licenses, patents and create spin-offs. The LTTO also responds to requests from companies who need state-of-the-art university research (for further information surf to UCL s openness to the world is apparent everywhere; in the daily lives of students, teachers and researchers. It is the very essence of the university. 9

11 Université libre de bruxelles Multicultural and international partnerships As a multicultural university with almost one third of students and researchers coming from abroad, international relations is a daily reality for the Université libre de Bruxelles, just as it is for Brussels itself, one of the world s most cosmopolitan cities and the seat of the European institutions. Brussels offers all the advantages of a capital city while remaining on a human scale. Active agreements Our 1000 agreements with 400 Erasmus partner universities and 220 non-eu bilateral cooperation agreements testify to the importance given to student mobility at the Université libre de Bruxelles. 20% of our students have a study-abroad experience during their degree course. The ULB is currently involved in 7 Erasmus Mundus programmes. In 2012 the university was awarded four new Erasmus Mundus programmes, to commence in September Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, C.P. 131/2 B-1050 Bruxelles Tel. +32 (0) dre@ulb.ac.be P. Pellizzari Privileged partnerships In addition to student exchange agreements, the ULB has also established privileged partnerships with a limited number of foreign institutions. The choice of partners has been guided both by the number and quality of scientific and teaching contacts with these institutions and by our university s international strategy objectives. The partnerships involve the development of joint research and teaching projects and the promotion of exchanges of students, academic staff and researchers. The ULB has allocated special funds for activities run jointly with its partner universities. Our privileged partners are currently the University of California, Berkeley (USA), the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge (UK), the University of British Columbia and the Université de Montréal (Canada), Fudan 10

12 facts and figures 39 Bachelor programmes (2012) 86 Master programmes (2012) Students (2010) 578 Outgoing mobility students ( ) 31% International Students (2010) 1343 PhD students (2010) 27 Spin-offs Staff number (fte): 3678 Université libre de Bruxelles = A tradition of academic excellence + The highest teaching standards + A window on the world in the heart of Europe University (China), Waseda University (Japan), Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI and the Collège de France (France). Networks S. Bodson Filip, Erasmus Mundus Ph.D. student I chose to come to the ULB first and foremost because of the excellent teaching staff and researchers in my field and the quality of supervision offered to PhD students. I also value the fact that students of all origins are welcomed and encouraged to think critically. Another plus is that it is based in Brussels, one of the world s most cosmopolitan cities. I have also been very impressed by the level of care and support provided by the ULB s International Office, which considerably facilitated my move to Belgium. The Université libre de Bruxelles is a founding member of the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA), an association of 43 universities representing over 150,000 staff and 1,800,000 students. The university is also a member of the European University Association (EUA), the International Association of Universities (IAU), the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and Top Industrial Managers for Europe (TIME). Development Cooperation Development cooperation is one of our university s top priorities and our academic and research staff are very active in this field. We develop research and teaching projects with our partner universities in the South and, by reinforcing their human and scientific capabilities, aim to contribute to their countries development. The philosophy behind our development cooperation is one of win-win collaboration. Development cooperation is not a one-way process it is also essential for our own development as a research and teaching institution. Groundbreaking research Four Nobel Prizes (Henri La Fontaine, Jules Bordet, Albert Claude and Ilya Prigogine), one Fields Medal (Pierre Deligne), three Wolf Prizes and two Marie Curie Prizes attest to the University s long-standing tradition of excellence. The Université libre de Bruxelles is an active member of the European Research Area and is involved in around 80 projects funded by the 7th European Framework Programme. In recent years, it has obtained five Starting Grants from the European Research Council (ERC) to fund research in Medicine, Economics, Mathematics and Political Science, as well as an Advanced Grant for research in Artificial Intelligence. Moreover, the university s Institute for European Studies is recognized as a «Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence» for its work on European Integration. The university also conducts research in close collaboration with the business world and exploits its findings through patents and spin-offs. To maximize research potential, the university has set up a biotechnology park (employing around 600 people) in Wallonia, around its renowned Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine (IBMM) and Institute of Medical Immunology (IMI). A university with a focus on linguistic and cultural diversity Most of the courses at the Université libre de Bruxelles are taught in French, but a growing number of Masters programmes are now partly or entirely taught in English or other languages. Studying at the Université libre de Bruxelles not only gives students the opportunity to improve their fluency in French; it also enables them to experience life in the cosmopolitan, lively and multilingual environment of the Capital of Europe. 11

13 Université de Liège ULg - M. Houet Founded in 1817, the University of Liege is a public, comprehensive and pluralistic university. It is located on 4 campuses at the crossroads of major European cities and develops cross-border, European (Santander, Time ) and international networks. This might be one of the reasons why international students come to Liege from more than 100 countries. Regarded as an institutional priority, best practices in terms of mobility were recognized by the European commission which awarded ECTS label in 2009 and DS label in Student s mobility remains an institutional priority. More and more joint degrees and full English programmes are organized every year. The 11 Faculties of the University of Liege offer bachelors and masters in human sciences, sciences and technologies, and life sciences. Here is a selection of some exclusive programmes connected to excellence poles. Focus on international programmes ULg Globalview As a main topic, earth is a key point: at the cutting edge of sustainable development and eco-innovation, the Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech is dedicated exclusively to agronomical sciences and biological (environmental science and technology, forest and natural space management, agronomical science, chemistry and bioindustries). The expertise which is offered here is essential for developing countries, which explains why many international students join these worldwide famous master s programmes. [ Place du 20-Août, 7 B-4000 Liège (Belgium) Tel. +32 (0) Fax +32 (0) international@ulg.ac.be If most programmes are taught in French with electives in English, some are offered in full English in Management, Economics and Business engineering: HEC-Management School of the University of Liege is one of the most international places in our University: lots of students are coming for an Erasmus stay, many others for a master s programme or for a joint diploma with our partner institutions in Europe. [ 12

14 A full spectrum of disciplines and excellence in research The Faculty of Law also offers an advanced master s programme in English: Advanced Master. in European Competition and IP Law, which offers among others a full set of cutting-edge courses taught by international specialists and leading practitioners. [ Last but not least, our University has just started to organize exclusive master s programme with professional focus in creative solutions: multidisciplinarity is a key concept for the future, it is now a key part of our training: learning by doing, using soft skills, negotiating, communicating, being a leader [ Mobility and joint diplomas The Erasmus academic stay remains a major point within a curriculum, joint diplomas are increasing every year, including prestigious ERASMUS MUNDUS programmes. They are now famous everywhere and attract the best students from all over the world. ULg coordinates 2 ERASMUS MUNDUS programmes and takes part to 6 Erasmus Mundus Master courses and Joint doctorates. Engineering is often the common denominator to quote a few of them: FAME (Functionalised Advanced Materials Engineering), EMSHIP (European Education in Advanced Ship ULg - M. Houet ULg - M. Houet Design), THRUST (TurbomacHinery, aeromechanic University Training), EMERALD (Master Course in Georesources Engineering). [ At the crossroads of research and business Aerospace engineering and space sciences are among the most famous poles of excellence. Our researchers work with the ESA for key projects and regularly get major prizes by the European Research Council (starting grants). [ As to biotechnology, our University hosts a unique organizational structure in Belgium: The GIGA is strategically located next to the university hospital (CHU). This "cluster" includes academic research, technology transfer, facilities for biotech companies and continuous training. The GIGA has been identified in 2009 by the Scientist facts and figures 38 Bachelor programmes (2012) 99 Master programmes (2012) Students (2010) 630 Outgoing mobility students ( ) 18% International Students (2010) 1823 PhD students (2010) 68 Spin-offs Staff number (fte): 4525 as one of the 10 best places for a post-doc in the world. Many students take advantage of these outstanding facilities for first-rate internships and PhD students come from far away to experience research within such a cluster. [ ac.be] Education and research are definitely the core mission of the university, but economic valorization of results is still closely connected to the academic world. This is the role devoted to the Technology Transfer Office of the University of Liege which offers professional assistance for managing IP and getting the most of academic research: 100 spin-offs have been created, many of them are active in the scientific park located next to the campus. [ Oana-Zeanaida Pascan, Joint PhD - Ecole Polytechn. de Paris Northwestern Univ. China When the University of Liege opened its doors for me I knew it was the start of a life changing experience. First an Erasmus student, I decided to continue with a master degree in Aerospace Eng. during which I spent 6 months in China. ULg offered me the chance to develop myself from a professional point of view and offered me the perfect environment to create bridges between me and people all around the world. 13

15 Université de mons UMONS Place du Parc, 20 B-7000 Mons (Belgium) Tel. +32(0) UMONS The University of Mons, abbreviated to UMONS, is a French-speaking university in the Hainaut province of Belgium, near the French-Belgian border. It is approximately 50 kilometres from Brussels, the capital of Europe. UMONS was created in 2009 and is the result of the merging between the University of Mons-Hainaut and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons, the university s oldest faculty which was founded in UMONS is the founder partner of the Pôle Hainuyer network, which includes 5 Higher Education institutions among its members in Hainaut. The Pôle Hainuyer network is composed of a total of 22,000 students and offers more than 250 degree programmes, allowing crossovers from Higher Education studies to University studies. UMONS is also a member of the Wallonia-Brussels Academy, close to the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Today, UMONS includes 7 Faculties and 2 Schools: > Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning > Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy > Faculty of Engineering > Faculty of Psychology and Education > Faculty of Science > Faculty of Translation and Interpretation - School of International Interpreters > Warocqué School of Business and Economics > School of Human and Social Sciences > Law School Education With around 40 different educational approaches, UMONS offers Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees in fields as diverse as Law, Psychology, Social Sciences, Biomedical, Economics, Electricity, Management, Material Sciences, Mechanics, Urban Planning, Information Technology, Architecture, Interpretation, Linguistics, Physics, Speech-Language Pathology, Mathematics, 14

16 UMONS facts and figures 19 Bachelor programmes (2012) 31 Master programmes (2012) 5349 Students (2010) 141 Outgoing mobility students ( ) 14% International Students (2010) 318 PhD students (2010) 11 Spin-offs Staff number (fte): 1154 Chemistry, Pharmacy, Translation, Education, Biology, Geology, Medicine, and many more. Several kinds of educational training are offered: > Degree programmes: official and recognised degrees (Bachelor, Master, Complementary Master); > Certified programmes: (a minimum of 8 credits) leading to a university certificate; > Courses leading to a teaching qualification: several teaching qualifications for Higher Education; > Courses related to research. English courses at University of Mons The University of Mons offers master (graduate) courses taught in English in a range of subjects, including topics relevant to the Faculty of Engineering and to the Warocqué School of Business and Economics. This courses can be included in any learning agreement (Erasmus, ). Moreover, all Faculties offer master s and PhD theses supervised in English. > Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, focus in Biosystems Engineering > Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, focus in Multimedia and Telecommunications > International Management Programme Research With more than 700 researchers, research objectives in UMONS are both settled on regional and international levels. The expertise of the University s researchers is internationally acknowledged. To demonstrate this, three from the chemistry and materials domains have been recognised and classified Catalina Tanasescu, Romania I have spent a period of study at the Warocqué Business School in the framework of the AUF Programme in I really liked the very concrete approach of the courses, the company visits, the speakers. As a student, I felt free to present and defend my own ideas. Upon arrival in Mons, It was difficult to express myself in French but the 10 months period at UMONS enabled me to speak it fluently and especially, I am very happy to have had the opportunity to meet incredible persons. This experience at UMONS has given rise to a positive evolution at the personal and professional levels and it will always be a pleasure to come back! among the Top 100 Global Researchers who have been most influential in their disciplines over the last decade, on account of their publications (classified by the Thomas-Reuter Agency for ). UMONS also holds the European label for Research in Excellence. International assets - Facilities for international students UMONS welcomes on its campus more than 6,000 students and researchers from over 40 nationalities. The university exerts its efforts at the heart of academic and scientific collaborations across the planet, with 230 international partnerships from more than 50 countries distributed among the 5 continents. UMONS promotes the mobility of its own students and researchers through many European programmes, such as Erasmus and Tempus. Students can choose from over 150 European universities to engage in an established and often customised curriculum. Double degrees can also be awarded, for example within the TIME network (Top Industrial Managers for Europe) in which the Faculty of Engineering is an active member. The label of ECTS (for "European Credit Transfer System") was granted in late 2011, which enables strict management of student mobility in Europe and provides high-quality information on its course programmes. 15

17 Université de namur D. Van Acker Meaningful teaching Human-centred and ethical The question of meaning and the human focus are the guiding principles at the University of Namur. In all disciplines arts, law, science, economics, management, computer science or biomedical sciences and medicine you are trained to take responsibility. The University s goal is to train academics for the general good, and particular attention is therefore paid to human and ethical training. The commitment of the professors and assistants to their teaching role is a priority for the University. D. Van Acker Open to the world At masters level, 40% of the students complete an internship or take part of their course abroad (in Europe, the USA, Japan, Brazil and elsewhere). Some also travel to developing countries for internships, study trips or immersion trips steered by FUCID, the NGO that is run by the University. Language learning helps turn all students at Namur into citizens of the world. The University of Namur offers two programmes fully in English: Masters in economic sciences and Advanced master in international economics and development. For a full description of the programmes see Rue de Bruxelles, 61 B Namur (Belgium) Tel Fax : laurence.vieslet@fundp.ac.be Research-driven Research is the driver of teaching at both master's and doctorate level. From the master s dissertation onwards, students participate in research work. For the doctoral thesis, students become a member of a team of researchers. Several of our laboratories and research centres shave an internationally reputation. 16

18 Human and social dimensions of science and technology taken into account D. Van Acker Value-based research The University of Namur cultivates interdisciplinarity Nine of Namur's research centres are interdisciplinary, including Information, Law and Society (CRIDS), Complex Systems (naxys), Life Sciences (Narilis), and Computer Science and Management (PReCISE). aims for excellence Some ten of its centres are centres of excellence in their field, including Biotechnologies, Nanomaterials, Information, Law & Society, Information Systems and Database Engineering, Development Economics and Sign Language Linguistics. puts its research to commercial use The University is active in over 200 European, Belgian or Walloon projects and has partnerships with several Belgian and foreign companies. It places its expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure at the service of its region. An exceptional setting At the heart of the city Ten minutes from the station, next to the pedestrian area and the shopping streets, and overlooking the River Sambre and the Parc Louise-Marie, the university campus is vibrant and benefits from an ideal location. Capital of Wallonia Namur occupies a strategic position. Situated at the intersection of numerous rail and motorway routes, it is Wallonia's most accessible city. State-of-the-art infrastructure The university looks after the resources that are made available for your use: general libraries and specialist libraries for each discipline, science and language laboratories, information technology pools, Wi-Fi, the e-learning platform (Web- Campus), and so on. facts and figures 23 Bachelor programmes (2012) 29 Master programmes (2012) 5646 Students (2010) 104 Outgoing mobility students ( ) 9% International Students (2010) 336 PhD students (2010) 4 Spin-offs Staff number (fte): 893 From a sustainable development viewpoint At Namur, all the University's roles teaching, research, serving society are designed to make everyone, wherever they may be, aware of their responsibility to build a world that is fairer and more mutually supportive, sustainable and beautiful for us today and for our children tomorrow. The University of Namur has committed to sustainable development by signing the Rio +20 Declaration on Sustainable Practices for Higher Education Institutions. Bálint Érdi, an Erasmus student from Hungary I m a Bachelor student in Budapest. Before I came to Namur I had no knowledge of French and I saw this as a challenge. Although I don t speak French, I made friends quickly and they helped me to become a member of a cercle. The majority of the people in Namur try to communicate with me and help me with learning French. In Démocra'kot, (a University s house) where I live, everyone speaks English, so this problem does not occur there. The locals general attitude is nice, I appreciate that they try to understand me or they reply with their sometimes limited English skills. 17

19 Université saint-louis- Bruxelles Boulevard du Jardin botanique Brussels - Belgium Tel info@fusl.ac.be Marie-Aude Brijssinck As a university situated in the very heart of Brussels, the capital of Europe, Saint-Louis draws on all the advantages of a multicultural metropolis. These are beneficial to teaching and research as well as for the students cultural and leisure time activities. Saint-Louis University is the epitome of an urban campus with a human touch. As a University centre for human sciences in Brussels, Saint-Louis has now almost 3000 students originating from about seventy countries and spread out over the Institute for European Studies and three Faculties or Schools: Philosophy, letters and human sciences (arts); Law; Economic, social, political and communication sciences. Saint-Louis is a comfortable place to study. Some courses are offered in small groups both at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Saint-Louis is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and easy contacts between students and professors as well as between students and the International Relations Office. The University organises Bachelor Degrees in the following areas: Philosophy, History, French and Romance Languages and Literatures, Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English, Law, Business engineering, Economics and Management, Political Sciences, Information and Communication, Sociology and Anthropology. It also organises a Master in European Studies. Various Advanced Masters, for which students with another Master s Degree can apply to, are organised on campus. These programmes include the following: > Financial Risk Management, > Interdisciplinary Analysis of European Construction, > Human Rights, > Environmental Law and Public Real Estate Law. PhD Degrees and Doctoral Schools are also organised in the same fields as for the Bachelor Degrees. Additionally, some continuing education programmes are also proposed. 18

20 A University in the heart of Europe, specialized in the human and social sciences, with a focus on interdisciplinarity and multiculturality On top of the above-mentioned Masters and Advanced Masters Degrees, the Institute for European Studies of Saint-Louis University organises a 3-week summer school on EU and International Business Law together with two foreign universities. The programme includes courses, conferences and visits of the EU and other international institutions. The curricula at Saint-Louis are characterised by their cultural openness and international focus. Evidence thereof are, for instance, its bilingual and trilingual programs (French - Dutch - English) at the undergraduate level (a unique opportunity at undergraduate level in Belgium) in Law, Business Engineering, Economics and Management, Political Science, Information and Communication and Sociology and Anthropology; the program of modern (Germanic) languages and literatures, which is co-organised with the foreign language department of a university college in Brussels; international exchange programs in Europe, North America and Asia at the undergraduate level; course contents focusing on Europe, etc. Saint-Louis has developed a specialization in teaching most aspects of the human sciences and takes an interdisciplinary approach to education. Saint-Louis provides undergraduates the option of majoring in one field and taking a minor in another, as well as the option of a combined degree programme in two different fields. In addition to all French-speaking courses available to foreign students, the university also Benjamin Brolet offers a complete 30 ECTS English-speaking programme each semester for those students. In addition, a French course for foreigners is organized all the year through at four different levels. Saint-Louis s reputation of excellence extends beyond teaching: its academic staff and research teams are integrated into several national and international research networks. Numerous regional, federal and international institutions call upon the competence of their research centres, which also often welcome external and foreign researchers. The University has its own Press publishing various periodicals as well as books forming a catalogue of a few hundred titles. Given the university s compact size, the research teams work in close physical proximity, which encourages the interdisciplinary facts and figures 10 Bachelor programmes (2012) 6 Master programmes (2012) 2583 Students (2010) 48 Outgoing mobility students ( ) 15% International Students (2010) 39 PhD students (2010) 1 Spin-off Staff number (fte): 195 research that has become one of Saint-Louis trademarks. The University has also been developing ambitious research projects since some time, for example, in the fields of European and urban studies, Game theory, Philosophy of law, Literary studies Moreover, the three Faculties and the Institute for European Studies welcome more and more PhD students and postdocs willing to specialize in the areas of expertise of their researchers and professors. Berrada Mehdi, Bachelor Degree student, 3rd year, Field: Economics and management From Casablanca, Maroc I decided to study in Belgium since I wanted to get a degree that would be internationally recognized. Saint-Louis was an obvious choice for me because of its central location in Brussels, the capital of Europe, at the crossroads of many world cultures. For a foreign student, the location at the heart of the city is ideal, as it is very easy to find one s way around. At Saint-Louis University, I especially enjoyed the educational methods, the quality of the teaching, and the easy-going contacts with the professors and the administrative staff. They are always available, and ready to listen to our inquiries. My student s life was facilitated by my membership of 'Kilimandjaro', a group of African students of Saint-Louis University. Through this group, I could promote my own culture and bring it to the attention of other students. Cultural and sport activities were organized in that perspective. 19

21 Websites and Other Useful Links CIRI Inter-University Committee for International Relations > CIUF - Conseil Interuniversitaire de la Communauté Française > CRef Council of Rectors of the French-Speaking Universities of Belgium > C.U.D. University Development Cooperation Committee > Useful Websites on Higher Education Wallonia-Brussels Campus This website is tailored to foreign students wishing to study at higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. It presents the higher education system, the universities and university colleges, the study programmes available, access conditions and grants. Federation of Enterprises in Belgium Business-oriented study programmes at Belgian universities and business schools (taught in English) Wallonia-Brussels Federation Website devoted to the French-speaking education system in Belgium. > > > Useful websites on research and technology transfer F.R.S- FNRS Fund for Scientific Research The F.R.S. supports fundamental research in all scientific domains through individual research mandates, research projects and exchange networks. European Commission EURAXESS Website devoted to researcher mobility in the European Union. Job offers, practical information, access conditions, researchers rights. LIEU Liaison Entreprises - Universités Website of the "Enterprises-Universities" network that brings together the technological transfer offices of universities and university colleges in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation > > > Editor in Chief: Serge Jaumain, President of CIRI, Vice-rector ULB, CIRI - CIUF, 5, Rue d'egmont, 1000 Brussels Covers photos: John Thys, Jacky Delorme, Jean-Luc Tilière, M. Vanden Eeckhoudt, J. Jottard Graphic designer : Marie-Hélène Grégoire misenpage sprl 20

22 CIRI Inter-University Committee for International Relations Tel. : , Rue d Egmont, 1000 Brussels Belgium