On 23 September, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) celebrates a double occasion at the start of the new academic year. For the first time in ten years, the Academic Opening Ceremony will take place again on the main campus in Etterbeek. At the same time, the university returns to its essence: scientia vincere tenebras – overcoming darkness through science. This will be under the motto “Open Mind. Open Science. Open Campus.”
This year, visitors get to choose how they experience the start of the academic year. In addition to the opening ceremony in Aula Q, they can join one or more of the six themed guided tours through research facilities and learning centers. Along the way, they discover the university as a living laboratory where research, teaching, and infrastructure come together to tell a compelling story. Food and drink trucks are spread across the site, with the highlight being the bar at the bioengineers’ microbrewery, serving their own craft beer.
A glimpse at the programme
ACADEMIC OPENING CEREMONY
Aula Q | Doors: 2.30 PM. Start: 3 PM. End: 4.30 PM.
The academic opening ceremony will be a compact event featuring demonstrations, artistic performances, and speeches by national and international guests. In line with scientia vincere tenebras, the spotlight will be on the science carried out by VUB researchers: with an open mind and a clear vision for a better future for all. Rector Jan Danckaert will conclude with his opening speech.
SIX THEMATIC TOURS
Various locations across the campus
Start times: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Biotechnology is life – and life is biotechnology
The biotech route lets visitors explore how biotechnology shapes our food, health, and planet. Along the way, they will encounter the MICROLAB, the cryo-electron microscope, and the bio-incubator, and finish at the microbrewery, microbakery, and microchocolate production.
The building blocks of nature
Visitors explore how nature works during stops in climate chambers, outdoor gardens, and greenhouses. They follow how researchers use chemistry, geology, and biology to unravel every detail.
Building a Sustainable Tomorrow
Visitors explore the future of sustainable technology in the Circular Retrofit Lab, watch an AI-powered robotic arm in action, and visit one of Europe’s largest electromobility labs. They see how engineers apply their latest innovations to build a more sustainable tomorrow.
Sport as a lab for body & performance
On the sports route, visitors experience sport as a living laboratory for body and performance, starting at BLITS, the Brussels Lab for Exercise and Elite Sport, and visiting the new martial arts center CEMAS. They see how fitness tests and martial arts reveal the science of the body and the social power of sport.
Culture as a mirror of society
Visitors explore culture as a reflection of society during a walk across the campus, starting at the iconic Braem Building. They pass the humanist sculpture park and finish at the modernist student housing by Willy Van Der Meeren, now serving as state-of-the-art laboratories.
Learning as a science
Visitors experience learning as a living science at the Learning and Innovation Center. They explore high-tech classrooms and innovative learning environments that foster curiosity and creativity, seeing how the future of education is already taking shape today.
The world needs you
This initiative is part of VUB's public programme, a programme for everyone who believes that scientific knowledge sharing, critical thinking and dialogue are an important first step to create impact in the world.
As an Urban Engaged University, VUB aims to be a driver of change in the world. With our academic edcuational programmes and innovative research, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and to making a difference locally and globally.