Academic Opening Ceremony

During the Academic Opening Ceremony, we bring education, technology, society and the labour market together. On stage and in the audience. Which knowledge and skills are becoming more important? What new forms of teaching and assessment do we need? What kind of profiles are society and the labour market looking for? And above all: what is the role of a university in this new reality?

Programme

In his opening address, Rector Jan Danckaert will set out the challenges facing higher education.

Transformation strategist Jo Caudron and Saskia Van Uffelen, a leading figure at the Belgian National Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, will share their perspectives on technology, talent and the labour market.

VUB professors and policy leads Vincent Ginis, Thomas Crispeels and Cathy Macharis will join the conversation, drawing on their expertise in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and sustainability. And also Sebastiaan Vanseunigen, chairman of VUB's student council, will share his vision.

Host Layla El-Dekmak will guide us through the afternoon. Pieter Schrevens will keep us on our toes with an authentic musical touch.

Reception

After the official opening, we will head to the Esplanade, the vibrant heart of our campus. At the same time, our students will be celebrating the start of the academic year in true student style during the Student Kick-Off. Together, we will raise a glass to VUB, our students and the new academic year.

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