Our Vision
The war in the Middle East also resonates on our campus. Amid the escalation of violence in and around Gaza, VUB continues to take a firm stand in support of international law. The university issued a statement on 9 October 2023 and followed up on 13 November 2023 with a call for an immediate ceasefire in collaboration with the Hannah Arendt Institute. VUB has condemned both the attack by Hamas and Israel's disproportionate response. We continue to demand an end to the violence and access for humanitarian aid.
European Research Projects
The VUB does not have direct partnerships with Israeli institutions. However, we do participate in important EU-led research projects, some of which may include an Israeli partner as part of a broader consortium. Through the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), the universities have urged the EU to adopt a clear position regarding Israeli partners.
Every research project VUB considers joining is reviewed by an ethics committee, which assesses the risk of potential military misuse or human rights violations. We provide a transparent overview of projects involving both VUB and an Israeli institution.
Horizon Europe Thermobreast
Subject
Breast Cancer Detection
Project Duration
January 2023 – December 2026
Status
Terminated on 11 September 2024 due to irregularities involving the coordinator.
Israeli Partners
Thermomind; Technion; Assuta Medical; MRID Sheba Medical Center
Horizon Europe MULTISPIN.AI
Subject
Artificial Intelligence
Project Duration
February 2024 – January 2027
Status
The EDCMM issued a negative recommendation on this project. A request to withdraw from the research project is currently under review. We are awaiting a decision from the EC.
Israeli Partners
Bar Ilan; Spinedge
H2020 MESCOBRAD
Subject
Brain Disorders
Project Duration
April 2021 – September 2024
Status
Project completed.
Israeli Partner
Clalit Health Services
Horizon Europe Escort
Subject
Improving Patient Experience
Project Duration
January 2024 – December 2026
Status
This project received a positive recommendation from the ECDMM.
Israeli Partner
Magen David Adom
H2020 PARC
Subject
Sustainable Management of Chemicals
Project Duration
May 2022 – April 2029
Status
VUB is an affiliated partner of Sciensano. This project received a positive recommendation from the ECDMM.
Israeli Partner
Department of Environmental Health at the Ministry of Health (MOH) from Israel
H2020 Aluna
Subject
Child Abuse
Project Duration
June 2023 – May 2025
Status
This project received a positive recommendation from the ECDMM.
Israeli Partner
Ministry of Public Security
Horizon Europe Ensure-6G
Subject
Safety and Privacy in 6G Networks
Project Duration
The agreement has been signed.
Status
This project received a positive recommendation from the ECDMM, with comments. There would be no incoming or outgoing exchanges between VUB and the Israeli partner, HIT. Following the escalation of the conflict, the Holon Institute of Technology was asked by the partners, at VUB's initiative, to leave the consortium. After a response from the European Commission, HIT was reinstated in the consortium.
Israeli Partner
Holon Institute of Technology (HIT)
Study on resilience and mental wellbeing
A cross-cultural study on resilience and mental wellbeing among university students (un)exposed to mass conflict
Project Duration
The agreement has not yet been signed.
Status
This project received a positive recommendation from the ECDMM. No agreement has been signed yet.
Israeli Partner
Academic College of Tel Aviv–Haifa
Human Rights Ethics Committee
In addition to the ethics committee that screens and evaluates research projects, VUB is also establishing a Human Rights Ethics Committee. This independent committee, composed of experts, staff, and students, will advise VUB on its activities related to human rights. Operations will begin in January 2025, with the rector providing a detailed explanation of this initiative.
Academic and Economic Boycott
Many pro-Palestinian activists call for VUB to impose an academic and economic boycott of Israel. However, this would mean cutting off critical dialogue, which is a core value of VUB. A boycott would also sever ties with internal critical voices in conflict areas, often academics and students. For this reason, VUB does not support a general academic boycott but does advocate for ethical screening of collaborations and projects. Potential partnerships with suppliers are also subject to a human rights assessment.
Emergency Fund for Students
VUB has allocated a fund of €25,000 for emergency support to VUB students affected by the war in Gaza.
Protests on Campus
As a free-thinking humanist university, we support solidarity and protest actions, provided they respect campus rules and our core activities. We emphasise the importance of open dialogue and mutual understanding of each other’s perspectives.