In a powerful and sincere New Year’s message, the rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) outlined the key challenges and ambitions for 2025. Under the theme ‘growing pains,’ he highlighted both the successes and the issues faced by a growing university. “We need to make choices.”
The university is in transition, Jan Danckaert made clear in the traditional New Year’s speech on Monday, 6 January, to the VUB community in Etterbeek and Jette. The increase in student numbers, with nearly 21,000 fundable students, is a success but also a source of concern. He emphasised that the university faces three major challenges: a lack of space, resources, and a clear positioning of its core values.
He pointed out shortcomings in infrastructure. "For such large groups, we only have one auditorium, and that is no longer sustainable," he noted, referring to the need to build a new prefab auditorium by September 2025.
Besides physical space, a financial challenge is also emerging. The rector explained that the gap between the market share of students (13%) and funding points (9%) causes a significant loss of revenue. "Our study success rate is not good, and that has a direct impact on our funding."
The structural deficit demands strong measures: "We need to save €10 million over the next three years, €5 million of which on staff. That means fewer people doing the same work." The promise is to rely as much as possible on natural attrition.
Reaffirming Core Values
The rector also emphasised the importance of VUB’s identity. According to him, many new students and staff are not familiar with the values the university stands for. "Free from church and state, progressive, and connected to one another," he said. "The free university is needed now more than ever."
The rector concluded with a call for cooperation and renewal while maintaining the university’s humanistic mission: "If we know what we are working for and strive for it together, then all those growing pains will be easier to overcome."
Concrete Prospects
Despite the challenges, innovation remains central. This year, the ‘Research Alley’ will be opened with research centres such as Biological Cryo-electron Microscopy, the Circular Retrofit Lab, and the Bioincubator Brussels in the old Vandermeer dormitories, as well as the Learning and Innovation Centre (LIC), a shared space with ULB for study and research. "Wherever we can, we innovate," the rector said. "But efficiency is essential: we must do well what we do well and scale back other activities."
The message was both a warning and a promise: the future of VUB requires choices but also offers opportunities. "Together we create perspective. Together we continue to build a university in balance."