Graduation ceremony in collaboration with ULB, Haute École Francisco Ferrer, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels, and the City of Brussels
On Sunday, 6 October, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) kicked off its graduation ceremonies on the Grand Place in Brussels, a special location symbolising the close ties between the university, its students, and the city. The VUB bids farewell to over 2,000 master's students in the presence of their families and friends. From the balcony of the Brussels Town Hall, they are celebrated for their hard work and the achievement of their degrees, marking the culmination of their academic journey. After the ceremony at the Grand Place, the students continue their celebrations at the Mont des Arts.
For three days, the Grand Place in Brussels is dedicated to the VUB graduation ceremonies. Each of the eight faculties, the Multidisciplinary Institute for Teacher Education, BSoG, and BRUFACE take their turn in sending off their students amidst enthusiastic applause.
During each ceremony, several distinguished speakers address the graduating master's students. These include the rector or a vice-rector, the dean of the faculty, some VUB alumni, and the Brussels Alderman for Dutch-Language Education, Anaïs Maes. They encourage students to continue making a positive impact on the world, even after their studies, by choosing a socially meaningful career path. Additionally, the announcement of laureates takes place, and a few prizes are awarded.
After the celebration, the Class of 2024 is invited to Plein Publiek BXL, a unique venue on the Mont des Arts in Brussels. There, along with their guests, they raise a glass to celebrate the achievement of their university degrees.
"The week of graduation ceremonies is an emotional moment that undeniably positions Brussels as a centre of knowledge,” emphasises Philippe Close, Mayor of the City of Brussels. “The Smart City isn't just a hub of technology; it's also a city of creativity and innovation. Welcoming these thousands of students to one of Europe’s most beautiful squares is also a way to celebrate their knowledge, which makes the City of Brussels a true breeding ground for talent."
For Anaïs Maes, Alderman for Dutch-Language Education, "students at VUB are not only starting a new chapter in their lives, but they also become ambassadors of Brussels. They have not only acquired knowledge but have embraced the diversity and values of our city and have become critical global citizens, ready to make a difference in the world."
"As an Urban Engaged University, our connection to our metropolitan environment is of utmost importance," says VUB Rector Jan Danckaert. “We are therefore extremely pleased to highlight this connection once again by holding our graduation ceremonies on the Grand Place. We want our master's graduates to become and remain ambassadors of our university and all that the VUB stands for, and of course, also of the city of Brussels. We count on our graduates to contribute as free spirits and critical thinkers to a more sustainable and fairer world.”
Following the VUB ceremonies, graduation events will be held for students from the Université libre de Bruxelles, the Haute École Francisco Ferrer, and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels. In total, the graduation celebrations for all four institutions will span a week, from 6 to 13 October.*
"This is a machine translation. We apologize for any inaccuracies."