Jan Danckaert

Rector election 2026

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is seeking a new rector. Jan Danckaert is the only candidate standing for reappointment, with a policy plan entitled “VUB: a pioneering university at the heart of Europe.”

Staff and students can cast their votes from 20 April to 4 May, thereby deciding whether he will once again receive the confidence to lead the university for a further four-year term starting in the 2026–2027 academic year. The results are expected on 5 May 2026. Follow the procedure here.
Featured

4 years of Danckaert: a retrospective

Raf Devos
Staff

“Some of the contacts I make may only prove useful in a few years’ time.”

4 years with Danckaert: a retrospective
Elisabeth Rabaey
University

“Funding through the Foundation gives researchers greater freedom”
Jan Danckaert
University

“We must ensure that we remain agile”
Nic Van Craen
University

Organising growth in times of austerity
Tania Van Loon
University

“At VUB, we are increasingly punching above our weight”
Read all articles in the series
Featured

Science awards VUB

VUB pionier Sylvain Loccufier in het Braemgebouw
Science and research

"My greatest contribution is that, as rector, I have been able to contribute to the university’s growth, from 750 to 2,000 students."

New science awards named after VUB pioneers: the Sylvain Loccufier Prize
Elisabeth Rabaey en Pieter Ballon in het Braemgebouw
Science and research

"Researchers who win awards become role models for others"
Ingrid Daubechies
Science and research

"I discovered mathematical formulas for wavelets, which can be used to compress images without any loss of quality"
Inge Liebaers
Science and research

“Be thorough in your research, but don’t lock yourself away in your own little corner"
Andre Van Steirteghem
Science and research

"What appeared to be a “failed attempt” in mice led to the birth of a baby"
Featured

Honorary doctorates VUB-ULB 2025

Francesca Albanese
Society and engagement

Three Flemish universities honour UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese with joint honorary doctorate

Livestreaming award ceremony on 2 April in the Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp
Ever Meulen, Amélie Nothomb, Stromae, Lize Spit en François Schuiten
Brussels

VUB and ULB award joint honorary doctorates to Stromae, Amélie Nothomb, Lize Spit, Ever Meulen and François Schuiten

Artists who embody our capital in an exceptional way
François Schuiten
Brussels

“Brussels is the matrix of my imagination”

Honorary Doctor François Schuiten on his love for Brussels
Ever Meulen
Brussels

“Brussels in the late sixties was a gentle city, easy to get your head around”

Honorary Doctor Ever Meulen on his love for Brussels
Dossier

International Students

Florence studied in London with Fayat scholarship
International

Florence studied at University College London with a Fayat Scholarship

“I got a broader perspective from being among people from different cultures and with different views”
Nomena Andriantiana Tahiana
International students

From Madagascar to Brussels: Nomena studies a Master’s in Biology at the VUB

The world at VUB: meet Nomena from Antananarivo, Madagascar
GuilianaAllegara
International students

From Sicily to Brussels: Giuliana studies linguistics at VUB

The world at VUB: meet Giuliana Allegra from Villarosa, Sicily
Deniz Dag
International students

From Turkey to Brussels: Deniz deepens his expertise in Applied Computer Science

The world at VUB: meet Deniz Dag from UƟak (near Izmir), Turkey
Read everything about the international students
Featured

Budget cuts

Protest VUB-campus tegen de besparingen
Students

Protest against higher education cuts brings students together at VUB

Students voice concerns over plans that could undermine access and equal opportunities
Een lege aula

Trade unions and students will demonstrate on 11 December against budget cuts
KVAB

KVAB loses structural government funding
2022_Living Campus Walk_Koning fiets_Twee mannen op de fiets aan het Braemgebouw_Etterbeek_VUB
University

Flemish universities warn of severe budget cuts
De Vlaamse Vereniging van Studenten (VVS) plaatste 1.000 lege stoelen aan het Martelaarsplein als protest tegen de geplande besparingen in het hoger onderwijs
Students

"Don’t cut corners on students’ futures"
Read all articles in the series

More features

Invisible diseases

Supercomputer

Honorary doctorates VUB-ULB 2025

New science awards

Climate

Fertility

VUB Tomorrow, het nieuwe nieuwskanaal van de VUB

Curious about tomorrow’s world? Discover VUB Tomorrow!

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is launching VUB Tomorrow, a brand-new digital magazine that shifts the focus to the world of tomorrow. While VUB Today keeps you up to date with daily news from our university, VUB Tomorrow goes further—offering in-depth, inspiring stories about research that shapes our future.
Broaden your horizons, create more impact

Public programme

Campagnebeeld Zij Is Wetenschap
Science and research

‘Women Shaping Science’

VUB honours women scientists with an exhibition, article series and experts list
Timothy Snyder
Critical thinking

“Democracy does not defend itself”
Peter Singer
Science and research

Peter Singer: “For the price of a vacation, you can save lives in a poor country”

Samuel Baker

“I hope to one day return to Rwanda, when press freedom is restored”
Dood in venetie Dirk Bogarde
Arts and culture

“Acting on first impressions may seem harmless, but before you know it, you’re classifying people as safe or unsafe”
Read all the news on the public programme
Stories of our

Alumni

Student op kot
Students

“Finding student accommodation shouldn’t be a battle”

New Head of Student Housing Britt Vandesonneville aims to make student living more accessible
Alumna Lien Van Malderen
Alumni

“Don’t let challenges in healthcare hold you back. Use them to do better”

VUB alumna Lien Van Malderen, strategic policy advisor at Zorgnet-Icuro
GO! Atheneum Caroline Pauwels
Brussels

Fundraising event supports educational opportunities for pupils in Brussels

VUB Alumni Association organises fundraiser for pupils of GO! Atheneum Caroline Pauwels
Fernando Oliva
Alumni

“To become a mentor, you have to grow as a person”

VUB alumnus Fernando Oliva, elite athletics coach and mentor to Olympic athletes
Read all stories of our alumni

In pictures: the TIER1 Supercomputer

Inauguratie Tier1 supercomputer - 27 november 2025
View more albums on FLICKR
Public programme

Events with impact

06/12 up to and including 05/04 - 2026
Exhibition

Exhibition | 45-65. Jan Walravens, art critic

FeliX Art & Eco Museum
05/03 up to and including 02/04 - 2026
Festival

Festival: ASAP Heartbreak

Pilar @ VUB Main Campus
24/04 up to and including 29/05 - 2026
Exhibition

Exhibition: The Foragers

Pilar
29/04 - 2026
Debate

Talk: Who Protects Space from Humanity?

Pilar
Discover all public programme events
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