View source for Vrije Universiteit Brussel

{{Short description|Dutch and English-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium}}
{{About|the current Dutch-speaking university|the 1834–1969 university|Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|the current French-speaking university|Université libre de Bruxelles}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = {{Lang|nl|Vrije Universiteit|italic=no}} Brussel
 | latin_name             = Universitas Bruxellensis{{efn|{{lit|University of Brussels}}. (This Latin name is also used by other institutions, including the [[Université libre de Bruxelles]].)}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=The seal or emblem of the VUB |url=https://www.cavavub.be/nl/embleem-zegel |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=CAVA - Centrum voor Academische en Vrijzinnige Archieven}}</ref>
 | image                  = VUB schild2.png
 | caption                = Seal of the VUB
 | motto                  = {{lang|la|Scientia vincere tenebras}} ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = Conquering darkness through science
 | established            = {{Start date and age|1970|05|28|df=y}}
 | type                   = Independent (partly state-funded)
 | rector                 = [[Jan Danckaert]]<ref>{{cite journal |title=Jan Danckaert named new rector of Vrije Universiteit Brussel |url=https://today.vub.be/en/article/jan-danckaert-named-new-rector-of-vrije-universiteit-brussel |journal=VUB Today|date = 22 June 2022}}</ref>
 | logo                   = Vrije Universiteit Brussel logo.svg
 | president              = Karsten De Clerck
 | administrative_staff   = 3,257 (2017)
 | students               = 19,245 (2020)<ref name=Het_Nieuwsblad>{{cite journal |title=De Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) telt dit jaar 8 procent meer studenten dan het jaar voordien. Dit academiejaar zijn 19.245 studenten ingeschreven|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20201022_93290506|journal=Nieuwsblad.be|date=23 October 2020 }}</ref>
 | city                   = [[Brussels]]
 | country                = Belgium
 | address                = Pleinlaan 2, 1050 [[Elsene]]
 | campus                 = [[Elsene]], [[Jette]], [[Anderlecht]] and [[Gooik]]
 | free_label             = Follows
 | free                   = [[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|Free University of Brussels]]
 | colours                = {{ubl| [[Bright red orange (RAL)|Orange]] & [[Ultramarine blue (RAL)|blue]]<ref>[https://www.vub.be/huisstijl/vub-logo-en-zegel#huisstijlkleuren Basic VUB house style colours] – website of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel</ref> | {{color box|#FF6600}} {{color box|#003399}} }}
 | affiliations           = University Association Brussels, [[Institutional Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe|UNICA]], [[Top Industrial Managers for Europe|T.I.M.E.]]
 | website                = [https://www.vub.be/en www.vub.be/en]
}}

The '''Vrije Universiteit Brussel''' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]], {{IPA|nl|ˈvrɛiə ʔynivɛrsiˈtɛid ˈbrʏsəl|pron|Nl-Vrije Universiteit Brussel.ogg}}; lit. Free University of Brussels; abbreviated '''VUB''') is a Dutch- and English-speaking [[research university]] in [[Brussels]], Belgium.{{efn|The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is one of the five universities officially recognised by the [[Flemish Community|Flemish government]]. A register of all official institutes of higher education in [[Flanders]] is maintained by the Flemish government.<ref name="HigherEducationRegister">{{multiref2|1={{cite web |publisher=Een officiële website van de Vlaamse overheid |access-date=13 September 2024 |title=Home – Higher Education in Flanders |url=https://www.highereducation.be/home |website=Hogeronderwijsregister {{!}} The Higher Education Register |language=nl}}|2={{cite web |title=List – Institutions |url=https://www.highereducation.be/institutions |website=Hogeronderwijsregister {{!}} The Higher Education Register |publisher=Een officiële website van de Vlaamse overheid |access-date=13 September 2024}}}}</ref>}} It has four campuses: Brussels Humanities, Science and Engineering Campus (in [[Elsene]]), Brussels Health Campus (in [[Jette]]), Brussels Technology Campus (in [[Anderlecht]]) and Brussels Photonics Campus (in [[Gooik]]).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Campuses |url=http://www.vub.ac.be/en/campuses |journal=Vub.ac.be |date=2016 |archive-date=26 February 2018 |access-date=7 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226125707/http://www.vub.ac.be/en/campuses |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel was formed in 1970 by the splitting of the [[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|Free University of Brussels]]{{efn|name=fn1|The split occurred along linguistic lines, forming the French-speaking {{Lang|fr|[[Université libre de Bruxelles]]|italic=no}} (ULB) in 1969, and Dutch-speaking VUB in 1970.}}, which was founded in 1834 by the lawyer and [[Liberalism|liberal]] politician [[Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen]]. The founder aimed to establish a university independent from state and church, where [[academic freedom]] would prevail.<ref name="Witte1996">{{Cite book |last=Witte |first=Els  |date=1996 |title= Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen (1796–1862) |location= Brussels |publisher=VUB Press |isbn = 90-5487-140-7 |language=nl}}</ref> This is still reflected in the university's [[motto]] {{lang|la|Scientia vincere tenebras}}, or "Conquering darkness through science", and in its more recent slogan {{lang|nl|Redelijk eigenzinnig}}, or "Reasonably self-willed". Accordingly, the university is [[Pluralism (political philosophy)|pluralistic]] – it is open to all students on the basis of equality regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background – and it is managed using democratic structures, which means that all members – from students to faculty – participate in the decision-making processes.{{efn|According to the statutes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.<ref name="Statutes">{{multiref2|1={{citation |title=Vrije Universiteit Brussel Organiek statuut |language=nl |url=https://www.vub.be/sites/default/files/2022-09/2022_Organiek_Statuut_VUB.pdf |date=18 September 2018 |orig-date=Gazetted 8 October 2018 |work=Belgisch Staatsblad {{!}} Moniteur Belge |trans-work=Belgian Official Gazette }} – Via: {{cite web |title=Organisatie: Organiek statuut VUB |url=https://www.vub.be/nl/over-de-vub/organisatie-vub |website=VUB {{!}} Vrije Universiteit Brussel |access-date=13 September 2024 |language=nl }} |2={{citation|url=https://www.vub.be/sites/default/files/2022-08/2022_Reglementen_Organiek_Statuut_VUB_ENG.pdf|title=Organic Statute|date=18 September 2018|publisher=VUB {{!}} Vrije Universiteit Brussel|language=en|access-date=13 September 2024|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625011309/https://www.vub.be/sites/default/files/2022-08/2022_Reglementen_Organiek_Statuut_VUB_ENG.pdf|url-status=dead}} {{in lang|en}} – Via: {{cite web|title=Organisation – Organisational Charter VUB|url=https://www.vub.be/en/about-vub/organisation-vub|website=VUB {{!}} Vrije Universiteit Brussel|access-date=13 September 2024|language=en}}|3=Superseded 2005 statute: {{Citation |year= 2005 |title= Organiek Statuut |location= Brussels |publisher= Vrije Universiteit Brussel |url= http://www.vub.ac.be/downloads/OrganiekStatuut.pdf |access-date= 2007-11-23 |language= nl |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 November 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071129164521/http://www.vub.ac.be/downloads/OrganiekStatuut.pdf }} }}</ref>}}

One of the leading Belgian universities open to Europe and the world. The university's research articles are on average more cited than articles by any other [[List of Belgian universities|Flemish university]].<ref>{{citation | author1 = Visser, M.S. | author2=Rons, N. | author3=Moed, H. | author4=Federhof, A.J. | title = Bibliometrische Studie van Onderzoeksdisciplines aan de Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1992–2001, Report commissioned by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) | publisher = Leiden: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, [[University of Leiden]] | year = 2003
}}</ref> The university is organised into 8 [[Faculty (division)|faculties]] that accomplish the three central missions of the university: education, research, and [[Public services|service]] to the community. The faculties cover a broad range of fields of knowledge including the [[natural science]]s, [[classics]], life sciences, [[social sciences]], [[humanities]], and engineering. The university provides bachelor, master, and doctoral education to about 8,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students.<ref name="Activiteitenverslag 2012">Figures from the ''2011–2012 Yearly Report'' of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel: {{Cite web |year              = 2012 |title             = Activiteitenverslag 2011–2012 |publication-place = Brussels |publisher         = Vrije Universiteit Brussel |url               = http://www.vub.ac.be/downloads/Jaarverslag2011-2012.pdf |access-date        = 2013-08-15 |language          = nl |url-status        = dead |archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063732/http://www.vub.ac.be/downloads/Jaarverslag2011-2012.pdf |archive-date       = 4 March 2016}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)}}

===Establishment of a university in Brussels===
[[File:TheodoreVerhaegen.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen]], founder of the [[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|Free University of Brussels]]]]

The history of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is closely linked with that of Belgium itself. When the [[Belgian Revolution|Belgian State was formed in 1830]] by nine breakaway provinces from the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]], three state universities existed in the cities of [[Ghent]], [[Leuven]] and [[Liège]], but none in the new capital, Brussels. Since the government was reluctant to fund another state university, a group of leading [[intellectual]]s in the fields of arts, science, and education — amongst whom the study prefect of the Royal Athenaeum of Brussels, [[Auguste Baron]], as well as the astronomer and mathematician [[Adolphe Quetelet]] — planned to create a [[private university]], which was permitted under the [[Constitution of Belgium|Belgian Constitution]].<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.ulb.ac.be/ulb/presentation/histuk.html |title=A University born of an idea |website=Université libre de Bruxelles |access-date=2016-08-04}}</ref><ref name="Witte1996"/>

In 1834, the Belgian [[episcopate]] decided to establish a [[Catholicism|Catholic]] university in [[Mechelen]] with the aim of regaining the influence of the Catholic Church on the academic scene in Belgium, and the government had the intent to close the [[State University of Leuven|university at Leuven]] and donate the buildings to the Catholic institution.<ref name="Lamberts1990">{{Cite book | last1 = Lamberts | first1 = Emiel | last2 = Roegiers | first2 = Jan | year = 1990 | title = Leuven University, 1425–1985 | publication-place = Leuven | publisher = Leuven University Press | isbn = 90-6186-418-6 }}</ref> The country's [[Liberalism|liberal]]s strongly opposed to this decision, and furthered their ideas for a university in Brussels as a counterbalance to the Catholic institution. At the same time, Auguste Baron had just become a member of the [[Freemasonry|freemasonic]] lodge ''Les Amis Philantropes''. Baron was able to convince [[Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen]], the president of the lodge, to support the idea for a new university. On 24 June 1834, Verhaegen presented his plan to establish a free university.<ref name="Witte1996" />

After sufficient funding was collected among advocates, the ''Université libre de Belgique'' ("Free University of Belgium") was inaugurated on 20 November 1834, in the Gothic Room of [[Brussels Town Hall]]. The date of its establishment is still commemorated annually, by students of its successor institutions, as a holiday called [[Saint Verhaegen]] (often shortened to ''St V'') for Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pierre Théodore Verhaegen and St V |url=https://www.vub.be/en/about-vub/history-and-philosophy-vub/this-is-what-we-stand-for-essence-vub/our-philosophy/pierre-theodore-verhaegen-and-st-v |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Vrije Universiteit Brussel |language=en}}</ref> In 1836, the university was renamed the ''Université libre de Bruxelles'' ("[[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|Free University of Brussels]]").<ref name="hist" />

After its establishment, the Free University faced difficult times, since it received no [[Subsidy|subsidies]] or grants from the government; yearly fundraising events and tuition fees provided the only financial means. Verhaegen, who became a professor and later head of the new university, gave it a mission statement which he summarised in a speech to King [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]]: "the principle of ''free inquiry'' and academic freedom uninfluenced by any political or religious authority."<ref name="Witte1996"/> In 1858, the Catholic Church established the [[Saint-Louis University, Brussels|Saint-Louis Institute]] in the city, which subsequently expanded into a university in its own right.

===Growth, internal tensions and move===
[[File:Granvellepaleis.jpg|thumb|right|The Free University, then housed in the [[Granvelle Palace, Brussels|Granvelle Palace]], {{circa|1900}}]]

The Free University grew significantly over the following decades. In 1842, it moved to the [[Granvelle Palace, Brussels|Granvelle Palace]], which it occupied until 1928. It expanded the number of subjects taught and, in 1880, became one of the first institutions in Belgium to allow female students to study in some faculties. In 1893, it received large grants from [[Ernest Solvay|Ernest]] and [[Alfred Solvay]] as well as [[Raoul Warocqué]] to open new faculties in Brussels. A disagreement over an invitation to the [[anarchism|anarchist]] geographer [[Élisée Reclus]] to speak at the university in 1893 from the rector [[Hector Denis (economist)|Hector Denis]] led to some of the liberal and socialist faculty splitting away from the Free University to form the [[New University of Brussels]] (''Université nouvelle de Bruxelles'') in 1894. However, the institution failed to displace the Free University and closed definitively in 1919.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Laqua |first1=Daniel |title=The Age of Internationalism and Belgium, 1880–1930: Peace, Progress and Prestige |date=2013 |publisher=Manchester University Press |location=Manchester |isbn=978-0-7190-8883-4}}</ref>

In [[Football at the 1900 Summer Olympics|1900]], the Free University's [[association football|football]] team won the bronze medal at the [[Summer Olympics]]. After [[K.F.C. Rhodienne-De Hoek|Racing Club de Bruxelles]] declined to participate, a student selection with players from the university was sent by the Federation.<ref>[http://en.espn.co.uk/olympic-sports/sport/story/162086.html Great Britain's first home Olympic football adventure] by Jon Carter, ESPN, 26 Jun 2012</ref><ref name=brown>[https://medium.com/@paulbrownUK/before-the-world-cup-who-were-footballs-earliest-world-champions-8aebac11429a Before the World Cup: Who were football's earliest world champions?] by Paul Brown on Medium Sports, 6 Jun 2018</ref> The team was enforced with a few non-students.<ref name=rsssf>[https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1900f.html Games of the II. Olympiad - Football Tournament] by Søren Elbech and Karel Stokkermans on the [[RSSSF]]</ref> The Institute of Sociology was founded in 1902, then in 1904 the Solvay School of Commerce, which would later become the [[Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management]] (part of ULB) and VUB Solvay Business School (part of VUB). In 1911, the university obtained its [[Juristic person|legal personality]] under the name ''{{Lang|fr|Université libre de Bruxelles}} - Vrije Hogeschool te Brussel''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nerincx|first=Edmond|title=Loi du 12 août 1911 accordant la personnification civile aux universités de Bruxelles et de Louvain|publisher=[[Belgian official journal]]|number=L. 12-08-1911 M.B. 21/22-08-1911|location=Brussels|date=8 November 1911|url=https://www.senate.be/lexdocs/S0665/S06651540.pdf|language=fr|access-date=2023-02-25|pages=4846}}</ref>

[[File:1900 Belgian Olympic Football Team.jpg|thumb|left|The university's football team that won the bronze medal at the [[Football at the 1900 Summer Olympics|1900 Olympic Games]]]]

The [[German occupation of Belgium during World War I|German occupation]] during [[World War I]] led to the suspension of classes for four years in 1914–1918. In the aftermath of the war, the Free University moved its principal activities to the [[Neighbourhoods in Brussels#Solbosch/Solbos|Solbosch/Solbos]] in the southern municipality of [[Elsene]], and a purpose-built university campus was created, funded by the [[Belgian American Educational Foundation]].

During [[World War II]], the university was again closed by the German authorities on 25 November 1941 during the [[German occupation of Belgium during World War II|second occupation]]. Students from the university were involved in the [[Belgian Resistance]], notably establishing the sabotage-orientated network [[Groupe G]].

===Splitting of the university===
Courses at the Free University were taught exclusively in French until the early 20th century. After Belgian independence, French was widely accepted as the language of the [[bourgeoisie]] and [[upper classes]] and was the only medium in law and [[academia]]. As the [[Flemish Movement]] gained prominence among the Dutch-speaking majority in Flanders over the late 19th century, the lack of provision for Dutch speakers in higher education became a major source of political contention. Ghent University became the first institution in 1930 to teach exclusively in Dutch.

Some courses at the Free University's Faculty of Law began being taught in both French and Dutch as early as 1935. Nevertheless, it was not until 1963 that all faculties offered their courses in both languages.<ref name="HistoryVrijeUniversiteitBrussel">{{cite web |url = http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/about.html |title = About the University: Culture and History |access-date = 25 November 2007 |publisher = Vrije Universiteit Brussel |archive-date = 16 June 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616050829/http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/about.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> Tensions between French- and Dutch-speaking students in the country came to a head in 1968 when the [[Catholic University of Leuven (1835–1968)|Catholic University of Leuven]] [[Split of the Catholic University of Leuven|split along linguistic lines]], becoming the first of several national institutions to do so.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jonckheere |first1=Willy |last2=Todts |first2=Herman |title=Leuven Vlaams: Splitsingsgeschiedenis van de Katholieke Universiteit Leuven |language=nl |date=1979 |publisher=Davidsfonds |location=Leuven |isbn=9061523052}}</ref>

On 1 October 1969, the French and Dutch entities of the Free University separated into two distinct sister universities. This splitting became official with the act of 28 May 1970, of the [[Belgian Federal Parliament|Belgian Parliament]], by which the Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the French-speaking [[Université libre de Bruxelles]] (ULB) officially became two separate legal, administrative and scientific entities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chambre des Représen tant. |url=https://www.lachambre.be/digidoc/OCR/K2008/K20083087/K20083087.PDF}}</ref><ref name="Law28May1970">{{cite web |url = http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/edulex/database/document/document.asp?docid=12770 |title = Law of 28 May 1970, concerning the splitting of the universities in Brussels and Leuven |access-date = 25 November 2007 |publisher = Belgisch Staatsblad/Flemish Government |language=nl}}</ref>

==Organisation==
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an independent institution. The members of all its governing entities are elected by the entire academic community – including [[Faculty (division)|faculty staff]], researchers, personnel, and students.<ref name="Statutes"/> This system guarantees the democratic process of decision-making and the independence from state and outside organisations. Nevertheless, the university receives significant funding from the Flemish government, although less than other [[List of Belgian universities|Flemish universities]]. Other important funding sources are grants for research projects (mostly from Belgian and European funding agencies), scholarships of academic members, revenues from cooperation with industry, and [[Tuition payments|tuition fees]] to a lesser extent.

The main organisational structure of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is its division into [[Faculty (division)|faculties]]:<ref name="VUB Faculties">See the {{cite web
 |url = http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/faculties.html
 |title = Faculties of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
 |access-date = 15 August 2013
 |publisher = Vrije Universiteit Brussel
 |archive-date = 19 July 2013
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130719112734/http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/faculties.html
 |url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
*Faculty of Law and Criminology
*Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School
*Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
*Faculty of Sciences and Bio-engineering Sciences
*Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
*Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
*Faculty of Engineering
*Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy
These faculties benefit a wide [[autonomy]] over how they structure their educational programmes and research efforts, although their decisions need to comply with the university's statutes and must be approved by the central administration.

The [[Central Administration|central administration]] is formed by the Governing Board, which is currently presided by Eddy Van Gelder. It decides the university's long-term vision and must approve all decisions made by the faculties. The Governing Board is supported by three advising bodies: the Research Council, the Education Council, and the Senate. These bodies provide advice to the Governing Board on all issues regarding research, education, and the academic excellence of faculty staff, and may also propose changes to the university's strategy. The daily management of the university is the responsibility of the [[Rector (academia)|Rector]] and three Vice-Rectors. 

As of 2022, the rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is [[Jan Danckaert]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Jan Danckaert named new rector of Vrije Universiteit Brussel |url=https://today.vub.be/en/article/jan-danckaert-named-new-rector-of-vrije-universiteit-brussel |journal=VUB Today|date = 22 June 2022}}</ref> who succeeded [[Caroline Pauwels]] (1964-2022), who resigned in 2022 for health reasons.<ref name="VUB Organogram">See the {{cite web
 |url         = http://www.vub.ac.be/home/organogram/organogram_VUB_2012.pdf
 |title       = Organogram of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
 |access-date  = 15 August 2013
 |publisher   = Vrije Universiteit Brussel
 |url-status  = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130423212332/http://www.vub.ac.be/home/organogram/organogram_VUB_2012.pdf
 |archive-date = 23 April 2013
}}</ref>

==Education==
{{See also|List of educational programmes at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel}}
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers [[Course (education)|courses]] in a large variety of modern disciplines: law, economics, [[social sciences]], management, [[psychology]], [[physical sciences]], [[life sciences]], [[medical sciences]], [[pharmaceutical sciences]], [[humanities]], engineering, [[physical education]]. About 22,000 students follow one of its [[List of educational programmes at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel|128 educational programmes]].<ref name="EducationalProgrammes">According to the {{cite web
 |url = http://www.vub.ac.be/en/programmes
 |title = official list of educational programmes at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
 |access-date = 15 August 2013
 |publisher = Vrije Universiteit Brussel
}}</ref> All programmes are taught in Dutch, but 59 are also taught in English. In agreement with the [[Bologna process]], the university has implemented the so-called bachelor-master system. It therefore issues four types of [[Academic degree|degrees]]: bachelor's, master's, master after master's, and [[Doctorate|doctoral]] degrees.

[[University and college admissions|Admission]] to the programmes is generally not restricted; anyone can subscribe to the programme of his/her choice. However, prerequisite degrees may be mandatory for advanced programmes, e.g., a bachelor's degree is required to subscribe to a master's programme, and a master's degree is required to subscribe to a master after master's or doctoral programme. An exception to this is the admission exam to the bachelor in medicine, which is required following ruling of the Flemish government. Tuition fees are low, and even decreased or eliminated for some students with less financial means.

The [[Academic term|academic year]] is divided into two semesters, each spanning thirteen course weeks: the first semester lasts from October to January, the second semester from February to June. Students take [[Test (student assessment)|exams]] in January and June. Apart from the Christmas and Easter holidays (both lasting two weeks) that are normally used to prepare for the exams, students are free the week between both semesters and during the summer vacations from July to September.

The university has implemented several [[quality control]] schemes in order to preserve the high quality of its educational programmes. Each semester, all students [[Evaluation|evaluate]] the courses they have followed. All programmes are also regularly assessed by internal panels and by external international visitation committees. Furthermore, all programmes are accredited by the [[NVAO|Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie]], an independent accreditation organisation charged with the [[Educational accreditation|accreditation]] of higher education programmes in both [[Flanders]] and the [[Netherlands]].<ref name="NVAO">Accreditation details can be consulted at {{cite web
 |url = http://search.nvao.net/search-detail-institution/23/43427/-1
 |title = the website of NVAO
 |access-date = 15 August 2013
 |publisher = NVAO—Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders
}}</ref>
===Academic profiles===
{{Infobox university rankings
| ARWU_W = 301–400<small> (2023)</small>
| ARWU_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2023.html|title=Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023|website=ShanghaiRanking|access-date=4 April 2024|archive-date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816224432/http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2020.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CWTS_W = 412 | CWTS_W_year = 2020 | CWTS_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2020/list|title=CWTS Leiden Ranking 2020 - P(top 10%)|access-date=7 March 2021|work=CWTS Leiden Ranking}}</ref>
| CWUR_W = 359 | CWUR_W_year = 2020-21 | CWUR_W_ref =<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cwur.org/2020-21.php|title=World University Rankings 2020-2021|access-date=7 March 2021|work=Center for World University Rankingsg}}</ref>
| THE_W = 201–250<small> (2024)</small>
| THE_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/vrije-universiteit-brussel|title=World University Rankings 2024 – Vrije Universiteit Brussel|website=Times Higher Education (THE)|date=23 March 2024 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>
| QS_W   = =294
| QS_W_ref = <ref name=":QSW2026">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings|title=QS World University Rankings}}</ref>
| USNWR_W = =292<small> (2023)</small>
| USNWR_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/vrije-universiteit-brussel-504942|title=Best Global Universities 2022-23: Vrije Universiteit Brussel|website=U.S. News Education (USNWR)|access-date=4 April 2024|publisher=)}}</ref>
|QS_W_year=2026}}

The university is included in major world university rankings such as  [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]], [[QS World University Rankings]] and [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]].

==Basic principles==
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel considers itself an open-minded and tolerant university.<ref name="Smaakmaker">{{Cite web
 | year = 2012
 | title = Welcoming the World
 | publication-place = Brussels
 | publisher = Vrije Universiteit Brussel
 | url = http://www.vub.ac.be/english/downloads/VUB_CorporateBrochure.pdf
 | access-date = 2013-08-15
 | language=nl}}</ref> Its central principles are the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] and in particular the principle of ''free inquiry'' for the progress of humanity. The latter includes the dismissal of any argument of authority and the right of free opinion.<ref name="Statutes"/> The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the only Flemish university that has incorporated such principle in its statutes. The principle of free inquiry is often described by a quotation of the French [[mathematician]] and philosopher [[Henri Poincaré]]:
{{Poem quote
|text= 
Thinking must never submit itself,
neither to a dogma,
nor to a party,
nor to a passion,
nor to an interest,
nor to a preconceived idea,
nor to anything whatsoever,
except to the facts themselves,
because for it to submit to anything else would be the end of its existence.
|sign=}}
This principle is also reflected in the university's [[motto]] ''Scientia vincere tenebras'', or ''Conquering darkness through science'', and in its seal. The seal of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel displays a beggar's wallet and joined hands on the orange-white-blue (the colours of the [[William the Silent|Prince of Orange]]) [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|escutcheon]] in the [[emblem]], referring to the struggle of the Protestant [[Geuzen]] and the [[William the Silent|Prince of Orange]] against the oppressive Spanish rule and the [[Inquisition]] in the sixteenth century.

Another basic principle of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel – also incorporated in the university's statutes – is that the institution must be managed according to the model of democracy.<ref name="Statutes"/> Practically, this means that all members of the academic community — [[Faculty (division)|faculty staff]], researchers, personnel, and students – are represented in all governing bodies. In this way, the university ensures that everyone has a voice in its decision-making processes and participates in its management. This principle must also guarantee the independence of the university and the academic freedom.

==Campus and facilities==
[[File:VUB campus Etterbeek.JPG|thumb|[[Etterbeek]] campus at [[Neighbourhoods in Brussels#La Plaine/Het Plein|La Plaine/Het Plein]]]]
[[File:België - Brussel - VUB - Rectoraat - 02.jpg|thumb|Braem Building (Rectoraat, VUB)]]
{{term|1=Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus}}
{{defn|defn=Most of the faculties are located on the [[Etterbeek]] campus (which is actually located at [[Neighbourhoods in Brussels#La Plaine/Het Plein|La Plaine/Het Plein]] on the territory of the neighbouring municipality of [[Elsene]]). It is the livelier of the two campuses and consists almost entirely of concrete structures, most built in the 1970s. Some are decaying rapidly but at least one, the Rectoraat designed by [[Renaat Braem]], is heritage-listed.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.vub.ac.be/downloads/GebouwM-NL.pdf | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220616052817/https://www.vub.be/sites/vub/files/gebouwm-nl.pdf | archive-date=2022-06-16 | title=Het Rectoraatsgebouw van de Vrije Universiteit Brussel}}</ref> Activities take place in numerous auditoriums and labs. In addition, there is a modern sports centre, a football pitch encircled by a running track, and a swimming pool. For eating out, there is a restaurant with subsidies for students and staff, and the bars/cafes 't Complex, Opinio, Pilar<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oyen |first1=Rein van |title=Home |url=https://pilar.brussels/nl |website=Pilar House of Art & Science at VUB Brussels, Belgium |language=nl}}</ref> and KultuurKaffee. The {{Interlanguage link multi|KultuurKaffee|nl}} was a full-fledged concert venue during the evening/night, offering the university a cultural scene and organising free concerts and events. It was demolished to make space for the new XY construction project in 2015.<ref>{{cite web
 | url = http://www.demorgen.be/muziek/kultuurkaffee-van-vub-sluit-na-dit-weekend-de-deuren-b89937bc | title = KultuurKaffee van VUB sluit na dit weekend de deuren | date = 2015 | publisher = DeMorgen | access-date = 22 November 2015|language=nl}}</ref>
}}
{{term|1=Brussels Health Campus}}
{{defn|defn=The campus in [[Jette]] is also a fully-fledged campus. The University Hospital ({{Interlanguage link multi|UZ Brussel|nl}}) is in the vicinity. All courses and research in the [[life sciences]] (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, the biomedical and paramedical sciences) are located here.}}
{{term|1=Brussels Technology Campus}}
{{defn|defn=The campus Kaai in [[Anderlecht]] was established in 2013 and shared with the [[Erasmushogeschool Brussel]]. It houses the Industrial Engineering section of the Faculty of Engineering. Among extensive industrial laboratory facilities, the Brussels fablab<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fablab-brussels.be|title=Fablab Brussels}}</ref> has grown to the centre of activity on the campus in recent years.}}
{{term|1=Brussels Photonics Campus}} in [[Gooik]].

===Faculties===
*Languages and Humanities
*Social Sciences and Solvay Business School
*Engineering
*Medicine and Pharmacy
*Psychology and Educational Sciences
*Sciences and Biomedical Sciences
*Law and Criminology
*Physical Education and Physiotherapy

==Institutional cooperation==
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel cooperates with several institutions of higher education. They are:
* Brussels Chamber of Commerce
* [[Erasmushogeschool Brussel]] (together with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel they make up the Brussels University Association)
* [[UCLouvain]] Higher Institute for Re-adaptation Sciences
* [[Top Industrial Managers for Europe]]
* UCOS, the University Development Cooperation Centre
* [[Institutional Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe|UNICA]], the Institutional Network of the UNIversities from the CApitals of Europe
* [[Université Libre de Bruxelles|Université libre de Bruxelles]]
* [[University of Kent]] (Brussels School of International Studies)
* [[Vesalius College (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)|Vesalius College]], an anglophone institution sharing the VUB campus
* XIOS Hogeschool Limburg and Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg
* [[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Royal Military Academy]]
Worldwide, on the international level the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has concluded institutional collaboration agreements with 38 universities all over the world, and student exchange agreements with 160 universities.

==Student life==
[[File:Penne CM.jpg|thumb|A traditional ''klak'' or ''penne'']]

The BSG is the umbrella organisation for all other student organizations and acts as the defender of the moral interests of the students. Together with their French-speaking counterparts ACE at the [[Université Libre de Bruxelles|ULB]], they organise the annual [[St V]] memorial.

These are some of the student organizations at the VUB:
*Studiekring vrij onderzoek: a collective of students from various faculties, promoting free inquiry through the organisation of debates, lectures and more
*Letteren-en Wijsbegeertekring (LWK): for students studying at the Arts and Philosophy faculty
*Geneeskundige Kring (GK) and Farmaceutische Kring (FK): for students studying at the Medicine and Pharmacy faculty
*Polytechnische Kring (PK) for students studying at the Engineering faculty
*Psycho-Ped'Agogische Kring (PPK): for students studying at the Psychology and Educational Sciences faculty
*Kring der Politieke Economische en Sociale Wetenschappen (KEPS) and Solvay ($); for students studying at the Economics and Political faculty
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Wetenschappelijke Kring (WK)|nl}}: for students studying at the faculty of Sciences and Bio-engineering Sciences
*Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (Mesacosa or MC): for students studying at the Physical Education and Physiotherapy faculty
*Vlaams Rechtsgenootschap (VRG): for students studying at the Law and Criminology faculty
*Vrije Universiteit Brussel Model United Nations (VUBMUN): for all students of the VUB.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vub.ac.be/vubmun/|title=Vrije Universiteit Brussel Model United Nations|last=VUBMUN}}</ref>
*We Decolonize VUB: for ethnic minority students at the VUB.<ref>{{Cite web |last=We Decolonize VUB |title= We Decolonize VUB - Project the world Needs You &#124; Vrije Universiteit Brussel|url=https://www.vub.be/en/about-vub/vub-university-future/world-needs-you/we-decolonize-vub-project-world-needs-you}}</ref>

Members of these organizations ''(except VUBMUN)'' wear a ''[[Student cap|klak]]'' (Dutch) or ''penne'' (French).

Furthermore, the VUB has student organizations for students with a specific regional background. They are: Antverpia ([[Antwerp]]), Westland ([[Westhoek (region)|Westhoek]]), WUK ([[West Flanders]]), KBS ([[Brussels]] and [[Flemish Brabant]]), Campina ([[Campine]]), Kinneke Baba ([[East Flanders]]), Limburgia ([[Limburg (Belgium)|Limburg]]), VSKM ([[Mechelen]]), Hesbania ([[Haspengouw]]) and Ibérica ([[Latin America and Iberian peninsula]]). There are also several organizations for specific majors within a faculty, such as Infogroep (computer science), Biotecho (bio-engineering), bru:tecture (previously Pantheon) (architecture) and Promeco, Inisol and Business Club (economics). Last but not least there are organizations centered around a common interest, such as the Society of Weird And Mad People (SWAMP, for all kinds of games), BierKultuur (based on the rich beer culture in Belgium) and [[Liberaal Vlaams Studentenverbond]] (LVSV, students interested in classic liberalism).

==Notable people==

===Notable faculty===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Diederik Aerts]]
* [[Kris Deschouwer]]
* [[Paul Devroey]]
* Mark Elchardus
* [[Francis Heylighen]]
* Jonathan Holslag
* [[Dave Sinardet]]
* Hugo Soly
* [[Luc Steels]]
* [[Jean-Paul Van Bendegem]]
* [[Willy van Ryckeghem]]
* Andre Van Steirteghem
* Irina Veretennicoff
* [[Els Witte]]
* [[Lode Wyns]]
{{div col end}}

===Notable alumni===
{{See also|List of people from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel}}

====Scientists and academics====
{{div col}}
* [[Leo Apostel]] (1925–1995)
* [[Patrick Baert]] (born 1961)
* [[Sathyabhama Das Biju]] (born 1963), Indian amphibian biologist and wildlife conservationist.
* [[Jean Bourgain]] (1954–2018)
* [[Antoon Van den Braembussche]] (born 1946)
* [[Guy Brasseur]] (born 1948), climate scientist
* [[Bob Coecke]] (born 1968), Belgian theoretical physicist and logician and professor of Quantum Foundations, Logics and Structures at the [[University of Oxford]]
* [[Ingrid Daubechies]] (born 1954), Belgian physicist and mathematician and Professor at [[Duke University]]
* [[Kris Deschouwer]]
* {{ill|Guido Geerts|nl}} (born 1935), Flemish linguist and professor emeritus at [[KU Leuven]]
* {{annotated link|Willy Gepts}} (1922–1991)
* [[Raymond Hamers]], discoverer of 'single-chain antibodies' or nanobodies
* [[Francis Heylighen]]
* {{ill|Clement Hiel|nl}} (born 1952), Belgian engineer and professor
* [[Steven Laureys]]
* Wim Leemans
* [[Pattie Maes]] (born 1961), Professor of Media Technology at Media Lab [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]
* [[Kieran Moore]], [[Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario]] Canada
* [[Frank Pattyn]] (born 1966), Belgian glaciologist and professor at the [[Université libre de Bruxelles]].
* Ram Lakhan Ray (born 1968)
* [[Peter Rousseeuw]] (born 1956), Belgian statistician and professor at [[KU Leuven]]
* [[Sophie de Schaepdrijver]] (born 1961)
* Johan Schoukens
* Helena Van Swygenhoven
* [[Els Witte]]
* [[Christine Van Den Wyngaert]] (born 1952), former Judge of [[International Criminal Court|the International Criminal Court]]
{{div col end}}

====Artists====
* [[Claude Coppens]] (born 1936), Belgian pianist and composer
* [[André Delvaux]] (1926–2002), Belgian film director
* [[Fabienne Demal]] ([[Axelle Red]]) (born 1968), Belgian singer and songwriter
* [[Jef Geeraerts]] (born 1930), Belgian writer
* [[Stéphane Ginsburgh]] (born 1969), Belgian pianist
* [[Sapiyossi]], singer, composer, dancer, fashion designer, and choreographer
* [[Erik Pevernagie]] (born 1939), Belgian painter and writer
* [[Marcel Vanthilt]] (born 1957), Belgian singer and television presenter

====Businesspeople====
* Pieter De Leenheer
* [[Tony Mary]] (born 1950)
* Felix Van de Maele

====Politicians====
{{div col}}
* [[Amir-Abbas Hoveyda]] (1919–1979), former Prime Minister of Iran
* [[Marco Formentini (politician)|Marco Formentini]] (1930–2021), Italian politician, former mayor of [[Milan]].
* [[Willy Claes]] (born 1938), former Minister of Foreign Affair and former Secretary General of [[NATO]].
* [[Louis Tobback]] (born 1938), former mayor of [[Leuven]] and former Minister of the Interior of Belgium.
* [[Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck]] (born 1944)
* Norbert De Batselier (born 1947) 
* [[Marc Verwilghen]] (born 1952), former Minister of Justice of Belgium.
* [[Karel De Gucht]] (born 1954), former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Belgium.
* [[Christian Leysen]] (born 1954)
* [[Patrick Dewael]] (born 1955), former Minister of the interior of Belgium.
* [[Frank Vanhecke]] (born 1959)
* [[Bert Anciaux]] (born 1959)
* Gunther Sleeuwagen (born 1958)
* [[Jan Jambon]] (born 1960)
* [[Maggie De Block]] (born 1962), former Minister of Health for Belgium.
* [[Hans Bonte]] (born 1962)
* [[Florika Fink-Hooijer]] (born 1962)
* [[Zoran Milanović]] (born 1966), [[President of Croatia]]
* [[Bruno Tobback]] (born 1969)
* [[Wouter Beke]] (born 1974)
* [[Alexander De Croo]] (born 1975), [[Prime Minister of Belgium]]
* [[Tinne Van der Straeten]] (born 1978), Minister of Energy, Belgium
* [[Zuhal Demir]] (born 1980)
* [[Nadia Sminate]] (born 1981)
* [[Sammy Mahdi]] (born 1988)
{{div col end}}

====Athletes====
* [[Sébastien Godefroid]] (born 1971), Olympic sailor
* [[Emma Meesseman]], Belgian professional basketball player
* [[Dirk Van Tichelt]], Olympic judoka
* [[Jürgen Roelandts]], Belgian professional road bicycle racer
* [[Kathleen Smet]], Olympic triathlon

====Journalists====
* Yves Desmet
* Jean Mentens
* [[Danira Boukhriss]], Flemish television presenter and newscaster.
* [[Tim Trachet]], Belgian writer, publicist and journalist

===Honorary doctorates===
Notable recipients of honorary doctorates (doctor ''[[honoris causa]]'') at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel include:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Nelson Mandela]]
* [[Daniel Barenboim]]
* [[Hans Blix]]
* [[Noam Chomsky]]
* [[Kim Clijsters]]
* [[Jacques Cousteau]]
* [[Richard Dawkins]]
* [[Dario Fo]]
* [[Sonia Gandhi]]
* [[Julia Gillard]]
* [[Rom Harré]]
* [[Václav Havel]]
* [[Johann Olav Koss]]
* Natan Ramet
* [[Richard Stallman]]
* [[Herman van Veen]] 
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{div col}}
<!-- * [[Brussels Faculty of Engineering (BRUFACE)]] http://www.bruface.eu --> 
* [[Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology]] (VIB)
* [[Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre]] (IMEC)
* [[Science and technology in Brussels]]
* [[Science and technology in Flanders]]
* [[Top Industrial Managers for Europe]]
* [[University Foundation]]
* [[List of split up universities]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes and references==
===Footnotes===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.vub.be/en Official website] of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.vub.be/en Official website] of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel {{in lang|nl}} 
* [https://www.highereducation.be/home The Higher Education Register – search] Find an officially recognised programme of the Higher Education Register, Government of Flanders
* [https://www.brea.be/ BEA – VUB Engineering Alumni Association]

{{Top Industrial Managers for Europe}}
{{UNICA}}
{{Belgian universities}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Vrije Universiteit Brussel| ]]
[[Category:Research institutes in Belgium]]
[[Category:Education in Brussels]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1970]]
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[[Category:Engineering universities and colleges in Belgium]]
[[Category:English as a global language]]
[[Category:Information schools]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in Belgium]]