VUB Today | Vrije Universiteit Brussel

"We went in search of the moon’s shadow"

Grafieken

Science and research

VUB research calls the global debate on scientific innovation into question

New analysis reveals how data problems skewed an influential Nature study

Eric michiels

“Quantum computers will work alongside classical computers”

Meet the VUB Fellows: Eric Michiels of IBM

Vrouw aan het stuur

Science and research

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

An Braeken werkt aan beveiliging van nieuwe telecommunicatietechnologie

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.

Not to be missed

01/10 up to and including 31/10 - 2026

Academic Bicycle Challenge 2026

Sports activity

Academic Bicycle Challenge 2026

Most recent

Schets nieuwe hoofdkantoor Siemens

Siemens Establishes New Headquarters in Research Park Zellik and Strengthens Collaboration with VUB

Onderzoeker aan de VUB

Interdisciplinary research

VUB opens applications for InterACT

InterACT opens first call for international postdoctoral researchers

Infodag Jette

New Dentistry degree to be presented at VUB Open Day on 30 August

Kleine jongen

Who raises €80,000 for the children of other prisoners?

watertekort

Climate change exposes up to 560 million children worldwide to extreme heat for at least one month longer each year

Nastaran Meschi

Prof. Dr Nastaran Meschi appointed academic coordinator of new VUB Dentistry programme

Academische opening 2026

Academic Opening 2026 brings education, technology and society together

digitalisering in de gevangenis.jpg

Science and research

VUB study: digitalisation makes prisons more humane, but also creates new inequalities

Science and research

Scientists debunk volcano myths

Robot met aanraaksensoren pakt plastic bekertje op

VUB leads European project teaching soft robots to sense, repair and adapt

STIMULUS-team dodentocht

STIMULUS team raises awareness of chronic pain through the Dodentocht

Featured

Einstein telescope

Leerling met een VR-bril

Exploring the universe through VR glasses

Exhibition at the Braem Building offers interactive introduction to the Einstein Telescope

Natuur

“We return the pumped water back to nature”

A team from the Water & Climate research group is developing groundwater models to predict the impact of this major project on the region’s water cycle

ETPathfinder

Science and research

Within ETpathfinder, the gravitational-wave observatory is being reinvented

An R&D laboratory in Maastricht is developing cutting-edge technology for the Einstein Telescope

ETpathfinder

Science and research

The economic return on the Einstein Telescope

Smart Skills Lab is preparing businesses and schools to develop technology for the Einstein Telescope

Header VUB @ FTI festival

Flanders Technology & Innovation Festival from 16 to 20 October

Meet Brussels’ tech pioneers, discover groundbreaking research, and experience how emerging technologies are shaping our future.

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

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

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

More features

Invisible diseases

Supercomputer

Honorary doctorates VUB-ULB 2025

New science awards

Climate

Fertility

Press

Climate change exposes up to 560 million children worldwide to extreme heat for at least one month longer each year

VUB study: digitalisation makes prisons more humane, but also creates new inequalities

Scientists debunk volcano myths

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

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

Bruce Stevens

“No two cases are the same, and neither are any two people sitting across from me”

VUB alumnus Bruce Stevens, Protection Officer at the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons

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

Read all stories of our alumni

VUB - Warwick University

VUB - Warwick University

View more albums on FLICKR

Public programme

Events with impact

IgNobel Watchparty Brussels

Muntpunt Stadsoase

Registration closed

Standing on the shoulders of ancients | Lecture by Valerie Trouet

VUB Usquare Campus

19/09 up to and including 20/09 - 2026

Heritage Days | Visit VUB's Renaat Braem building

VUB Main Campus Etterbeek

Academic sessions

Academic Opening Ceremony

VUB Main Campus Etterbeek

Discover all public programme events

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