Scholars at Risk

In 2011, the VUB joined the Scholars at Risk network (SAR) and thereby dedicated to work at protecting threatened scholars and promote academic freedom. We believe this is our role as a civil society actor in Belgium, in Europe and in the world.

Getting involved is a multi-layered engagement. It implies providing shelter and hosting threatened scholars, raising awareness, publicly taking a stand to protect higher education values and academic freedom, participating to advocacy campaigns, organising events and seminars on campus etc., all with the aim to protect the fundamental values of academic freedom and free inquiry.

So far, VUB has hosted four scholars at risk, from diverse personal and academic backgrounds. They were hosted in research groups in different faculties and departments: Engineering, Education Science, and Sciences.

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“In February 2019, I joined the VUB in AMGC research unit through the Scholar at Risk (SAR) programme to continue my research as a post-doc. The ultimate goal was to rescue a human being and give him back his dignity and intellectual freedom. After two years at the VUB, this goal has been achieved. I am a free man, and I have regained my physical, moral and intellectual abilities. The VUB should be proud of the SAR programme”
Anonymous
Scholar at risk

International Relations Office

Tel:
International Relations Office
Pleinlaan 5
1050 Elsene
More info