VUB Today | Vrije Universiteit Brussel

“Quantum computers will work alongside classical computers”

Vrouw aan het stuur

Science and research

6G: How dangerous is a self-managing mobile network?

An Braeken werkt aan beveiliging van nieuwe telecommunicatietechnologie

Onderzoekster aan de VUB

VUB launches new Facts & Figures

Science as the driving force of the university

vluchtelingen

Society and engagement

“How voluntary is a voluntary return?”

Laure Deschuyteneer, a criminologist at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, examines the subtle power dynamics underpinning Belgium’s return policy.

Martha en Leon

Arts and culture

“Science can move us as deeply as a play or a novel”

The Dutch-language play Aha premieres at Theater aan Zee, supported by the Caroline Pauwels Grant for Wonder

Most recent

Jan Steyaert

"If Flanders still wants biotech champions, it must be prepared to invest in risk"

Bosbrand

Science and research

Climate change is putting Europe's transport infrastructure under growing pressure

TATC Photo 5.jpg

HOST launches practical training programme for professionals driving sustainable change

Zweethanden

Genetic study redefines a form of excessive sweating as a treatable neurological condition

Which meteorite wiped out the dinosaurs?

Science and research

VUB and Nexa Legal join forces to invest in AI for the lawyers of tomorrow

1. Agriwilding.jpg

Science and research

Producing food while restoring biodiversity: VUB study highlights the potential of agriwilding

Preklinische studie diabetes Nico De Leu - Willem Staels - eilandje van Langerhans.png

Science and research

Preclinical study points to a promising combined strategy for slowing the progression of type 1 diabetes

Jan Danckaert

EUTOPIA launches new education forum and prepares for next strategic phase

Society and engagement

The ‘safe third country’ concept turns out to be an empty shell

Science and research

Fungi communicate with one another in the presence of metal pollution in forests

Science and research

Self-healing and recyclable: VUB research develops more sustainable polymers

Feature

Abortion

Anne Verougstraete

Society and engagement

Abortion deserves science, not political dogma

Opinion piece by Dr Anne Verougstraete (VUB), gynaecologist, abortion pioneer and member of the interuniversity expert committee

Koppel abortus

Society and engagement

Let science, not politics, guide abortion policy

VUB Professor of History and Humanism Niels De Nutte in De Morgen

Nausicaä Martens

Critical thinking

"I hope the stigma around abortion will soon fade"

Free to do what you want with your own body

Vrouwelijke demonstranten

Abortion: The fight goes on

“Belgium should not push its psycho-social issues onto the Netherlands

Featured

Science awards VUB

Vincent Ginis

Science and research

VUB researcher Vincent Ginis wins Silvain Loccufier science prize

“This award confirms that you don’t have to make choices that go against your own values”

Ellen goossens

Science and research

VUB researcher Ellen Goossens wins Liebaers–Van Steirteghem Prize

Wim Versees

Science and research

“Scientific research is always a team effort”

Willem Staels

Science and research

“A particularly meaningful award for a scientist who combines patient care with research”

Ilse Rooman

Science and research

“This award is a tremendous recognition and a real boost for new research”

Featured

Fight for Freedom

"Precisely because so much blood has been shed on European soil, we strive for a rules-based world order"

Brussels Pride 2025

Society and engagement

VUB Tomorrow analyses society and democracy

Special: ‘Fighting for Freedom’

Pride lights up the darkness

Inclusion and diversity

“Pride Lights Up The Darkness”

VUB defends and celebrates the rights of LGBTQIA+ communities during Brussels Pride on 16 May

Familiefoto Mychal Langenus

Society and engagement

“Pride still matters, because equal rights aren’t fully achieved yet”

VUB professor Mychal Langenus on the road to fatherhood as a male couple

Brussels Pride

Inclusion and diversity

“Rights are never permanently secured”

Political scientist Dave Sinardet looks back on 30 years of Brussels Pride and the growing pressure on LGBTQIA+ rights

Featured

Education Conference 2026

VUB Onderwijscongres 2026

This was the VUB Education Conference 2026

The aftermovie looks back on a day filled with ideas, conversations and ambitions for futureproof education

VUB Education Day looks ahead to the future of education

Sportende studenten

“Co-creative education stimulates deep learning through lived experience”

Student

Bachelor’s dissertations improve in quality thanks to JOLO

Studenten kinesitherapie aan de VUB

“If you only practise within one group, you miss learning opportunities”

Read more

Featured

Honorary doctorates VUB-ULB 2025

eredoctoraat Albanese

Society and engagement

UAntwerpen, UGent and VUB jointly award honorary doctorate to Francesca Albanese

Flemish universities crown commitment to human rights and international law

Ever Meulen, Amélie Nothomb, Stromae, Lize Spit en François Schuiten

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 is the matrix of my imagination”

Honorary Doctor François Schuiten on his love for Brussels

Ever Meulen

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

Honorary Doctor Ever Meulen on his love for Brussels

Featured

4 years of Danckaert: a retrospective

Raf Devos

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

4 years with Danckaert: a retrospective

Elisabeth Rabaey

“Funding through the Foundation gives researchers greater freedom”

Jan Danckaert

“We must ensure that we remain agile”

Nic Van Craen

Organising growth in times of austerity

Tania Van Loon

“At VUB, we are increasingly punching above our weight”

Read all articles in the series

Dossier

International Students

The VUBMUN team in Paris

VUBMUN Delegation wins all 5 awards at ParisMUN

VUB students among 200 students from 32 different countries

Florence studied in London with Fayat scholarship

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

Read everything about the international students

Featured

Budget cuts

Campus VUB

VUB spreads staff cost reductions over five years

University opts for phased implementation and strong social dialogue

Protest VUB-campus tegen de besparingen

Protest against higher education cuts brings students together at VUB

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

Flemish universities warn of severe budget cuts

Read all articles in the series

More features

Invisible diseases

Supercomputer

Honorary doctorates VUB-ULB 2025

New science awards

Climate

Fertility

Press

HOST launches practical training programme for professionals driving sustainable change

Genetic study redefines a form of excessive sweating as a treatable neurological condition

Which meteorite wiped out the dinosaurs?

More press releases

Short

Sunday 3 May is World Press Freedom Day. Here you can find all the winners of the Difference Day Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression.

5th annual meeting of the Belgian Society for Extracellular Vesicles January 30th, 2026

“Knowledge Nests: VUB Brings Science into Brussels Neighbourhoods”

More short news stories

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

Gilles Clayes

“Innovation often happens when people with different backgrounds and ideas come together”

VUB alumnus Gilles Claeys, Head of Technology Partnerships at Materialise

VUB Graduation Ceremonies

VUB Graduation Ceremonies 2026 – Timeslots & Livestreams

From 5 to 7 October, VUB students will be celebrated on the Grand Place

Christil Asamoah

“Stay true to yourself and to your unique, complex identity”

VUB alumna Christil Asamoah, Decolonisation Coordinator at 11.11.11

NOVA

Partners & networks

“The VUB has a long tradition of collaboration in lifelong learning”

Nova Academy expands with seven higher education partners

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

Standing on the shoulders of ancients | Helios inaugural lecture by Valerie Trouet

VUB Usquare Campus

Academic sessions

Academic Opening Ceremony

VUB Main Campus Etterbeek

08/10 up to and including 31/10 - 2026

EXPO | MABABU by Pamela Tulizo

16/10 up to and including 18/10 - 2026

FTI Brussel: Open door @ Photonics Innovation Centre

VUB Photonics Campus Pajottegem

Discover all public programme events

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