It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of our honorary rector Caroline Pauwels. Caroline resigned as rector in February because she could no longer combine the role with her illness, cancer of the stomach and oesophagus. She has now passed away from that illness.
Right to the end, Caroline remained involved with VUB, which, as rector, she put in the spotlight with refreshing enthusiasm. She also strengthened the ties between the university and both Brussels and Europe. With her humanist values, she made VUB a warm, connected and compassionate university.
Caroline was also very close to the VUB community, especially to the students, who truly valued her natural spontaneity, approachability and openness. She considered it a privilege to work with and for young people as rector. She had great understanding and admiration for young people and an endless faith in students. To offer them equal educational opportunities, she founded the Caroline Pauwels Relief Fund for Students within the VUB. “The world needs every talent,” as she put it. The fund was later also used to support students who are victims of the war in Ukraine.
Caroline was also very close to the VUB community, especially to the students, who truly valued her natural spontaneity, approachability and openness. She considered it a privilege to work with and for young people as rector. She had great understanding and admiration for young people and an endless faith in students. To offer them equal educational opportunities, she founded the Caroline Pauwels Relief Fund for Students within the VUB. “The world needs every talent,” as she put it. The fund was later also used to support students who are victims of the war in Ukraine.
In honour of her exceptional achievements, and to thank her for her years of dedication and passion, Caroline was appointed Honorary Rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in June 2022. VUB is immensely grateful for all her efforts, her time and her energetic personality. Caroline Pauwels leaves behind two children. The entire community of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the affiliated UZ Brussel is in mourning, and wishes her family, friends and acquaintances courage and strength in these difficult times.
Condolences
Anyone who would like to share memories, anecdotes and mementos of the warm and engaging person that Caroline Pauwels was, and who would like to leave a word of comfort for her children, close family and friends, can do so in the book of condolence. This will be available as of Monday in the Braem Building on the Etterbeek campus, in the entrance hall of the faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy on the Jette campus and right now online via this webpage.
Support the Caroline Pauwels Relief Fund for students
The family asks not to send flowers, but to continue her engagement. Anyone who wants to support students who are struggling financially, materially, socially or psychologically can do so by making a donation to the Caroline Pauwels Relief Fund for students: account number BE51 0013 6779 3562 with the message GIFT FO7. At Caroline's express request, the funeral will be held in a family circle.