The number of international students at VUB is growing, as is participation in Erasmus+ programmes, all within the framework of sustainable partnerships. Jacqueline Couder, Director of the International Relations Office, said: “Without internationalisation, you don’t have a university.”
The number of international students at VUB is rising year on year. This academic year, there are 5,950, accounting for roughly 25% of the student body. Are you satisfied with that?
“We are on the right track. The figures show that our international recruitment is working. We use not only traditional channels—fairs, online portals, and agents—but also partnerships with international universities play an important role. Through these partnerships, we often attract stronger profiles. Nevertheless, there are still many opportunities. The government only allows us to offer a limited number of English-taught programmes. To further internationalise, we need to think beyond the traditional models. For instance, staff from an inter-university programme could be mobile, allowing international students to study at VUB for a shorter period, provided there are agreements on tuition fees. This has numerous benefits in terms of both sustainability and inclusion, allowing more students to participate.”
Funding pressures on non-EEA students
The funding of non-EEA students is under pressure due to Flemish budget cuts. Universities would only receive funding for non-EEA students up to a maximum of 2% of their total student population. How would you convince the government to reverse this decision?
“Companies like Google and Amazon plan significant investments in Belgium and will need many engineers. But where will they find them? Belgium has too few students in STEM fields. These companies will therefore need to recruit internationally. Graduates from VUB already know our language to some extent and are familiar with our system. That is a major economic advantage. It’s a shame the government does not recognise this added value.”
Erasmus+ participation has also increased. Why is that?
“In the mobility portfolio of EPOS vzw, the Flemish agency for internationalisation in education, we have been able to secure a larger share. As a university with many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, we were previously disadvantaged, as we had to spend more resources per student due to the additional allowances they are entitled to. The mobility portfolio now takes this into account, allowing us to send more students abroad. We also decided to fund only one semester abroad, which helps ensure as many students as possible can benefit from the experience.”
Partnerships remain central. Has anything changed there?
“We do not send students to a university at random. There must be a bilateral agreement, and we only establish agreements with universities where a form of cooperation already exists. Teaching and research are intertwined. This integration is what makes partnerships sustainable. Setting up partnerships requires significant investment, so we want them to last. This is not new, but it remains a priority. From this approach, the concept of Strategic International Partnerships (SIPs) has emerged. Today, more than ever, ethical issues linked to geopolitics, security, and human rights are considered. The message is: ‘De-risk but do not de-couple.’ The world is changing rapidly, and we will need everyone at some point. Another innovation is our policy text repositioning university development cooperation: moving toward equal partnerships and away from colonial north-south thinking. This text has been approved by the International Policy Council.”
“The international benchmark improves, attracting better students and researchers”
What does an equal international partnership entail?
“Historically, partnerships with universities in the Global South focused on ‘capacity building.’ But many universities in Africa, Latin America, and Asia are now at the same or even higher level than us. Take the University of the Western Cape, with which we have a SIP. Instead of speaking about development cooperation, we prefer the term equal partnerships. Instead of capacity building, we speak of contextualised research and education. This means we no longer share knowledge from the perspective of ‘this is how we do it.’ What works for us is not necessarily right for them. Their universities operate in different cultural and environmental contexts. We must therefore look at their needs and what model works for them. At the same time, we can also learn from them. How this develops further depends on available federal funding. Currently, discussions are underway about cuts of up to 50% in the university development cooperation portfolio. That would be a serious blow.”
What impact would that have?
“The details are not yet clear. There is also much uncertainty regarding the 2% rule. But internationalisation is a lifeline for VUB. It integrates education, research, and societal service, while simultaneously strengthening each of these pillars. One plus one is no longer two; when you collaborate internationally, one plus one equals three. You gain new ideas and insights—potential sources of innovation—and international collaboration also enhances the university’s reputation. Your international benchmark improves, which in turn attracts better students and researchers. The impact of budget cuts could therefore extend far beyond what people imagine.”
Administrative support for international students
“To end on a positive note, we have removed many administrative barriers for international students. For Erasmus+ students, guided by Europe, we have implemented Erasmus Without Papers to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. For international students, we digitised the Welcome & Information Desk and have, for a few years now, participated in the academic year’s ‘Start Point,’ where all relevant services—from student administration to housing—are present in one central location. This allows international students to have all their questions addressed in a single place. In addition, we offer online info sessions in advance on practical matters—from health insurance to municipal registration. These initiatives allow general questions to be handled collectively, while individual attention is reserved for more complex issues. One area we still want to improve is the time between application and admission for international students. A thorough screening is important, and some faculties conduct intake interviews, but the process currently takes too long. An international student applies not only to VUB. Those who respond faster often attract the best students.”
British student Isaac Searle follows the English-taught Bachelor in Social Sciences and chairs the International Students Platform (ISP)
“I’ve always wanted to study abroad. Because I had studied French and German at school, Belgium seemed like an interesting choice. When I visited Brussels, I was immediately sold: an international city with so much going on. That atmosphere really attracted me. After a year of studying law at the ULB, I realised my true interest lay in political and social sciences. VUB offered the programme in English, and I was also drawn to its open, urban, and socially engaged character.”
“With students from more than 150 countries, the atmosphere is genuinely international. That diversity is incredibly valuable. In world history classes, for example, students from Latin America or Oceania bring perspectives that are completely different from those we are familiar with in Western Europe. It’s fascinating to hear these varied viewpoints—it broadens my outlook. The same applies to Flemish students at VUB. Our presence enriches their experience too.”
“As chair of the ISP, I represent all international students at VUB. We attend the Student Council, advise on policy, and highlight issues such as housing. A key achievement is that, from next academic year, guaranteed voting seats for international students will be introduced in the Student Council. This gives us a real voice in decision-making. I’m also very satisfied with our collaboration with the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalisation. They support us practically and substantively, and involve us in policy discussions, including the international strategy. International students are not only heard—they are encouraged to help shape policy.”
“The planned Flemish cuts to international student funding worry me, especially for those already enrolled. Studying abroad requires extensive preparation. Sudden changes in tuition fees can create terrible dilemmas: taking on a large student loan or leaving studies halfway without a degree. The cuts also send the message that we are undervalued, as if we do not contribute meaningfully to academic life—and later, with our international skills, to the workforce.”
Professor of Communication Studies Leo Van Audenhove works closely with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town through the Strategic International Partnership
“Today, around twenty professors collaborate with UWC. These partnerships can be occasional, for example around a Joint PhD, or more intensive, as in my case. For instance, in my International Communication course, I regularly invite guest speakers from Cape Town online. Additionally, for several PhD projects, we try to align research with work being done in Cape Town. Through the imec-SMIT research group, we also explore whether long-term projects can have a research branch established there. Several Joint PhDs are also under my supervision or within imec-SMIT.”
“The added value is multifaceted. I have always been interested in issues affecting the Global South. It is fascinating to investigate whether what we know in Flanders and Europe about digital inclusion and media literacy also applies there. And if it doesn’t, why is it different, and what can we learn from that? Researchers who spend time in South Africa gain a broader perspective on the world. They realise that, beyond the European context, there are many other contexts to consider.”
“In Belgium, we conduct a lot of research on the relationship between digital technologies and ageing. That makes sense here, as our society is ageing. In the Global South, with a much younger population, this issue receives little attention. One of our researchers, Cora van Leeuwen, wrote a PhD on this topic and spent time in South Africa for her research. This led to a new research line at UWC. Even if the theme was not initially on their radar, the issue exists—particularly for older people in rural communities, where access and use are problematic.”
“The ambitions for the future are substantial. Both universities share the same values: urban, socially engaged, and with many students being the first in their families to pursue higher education. The SIP funding runs out next year, but I hope we can secure the necessary resources to continue building on what we have already achieved.”
