The Flemish Free University of Brussels, the VUB has opened a new base in Ostend (West Flanders), the VUB on Sea . It is not a traditional campus where classes will be held, but a base where researchers and students can go. The VUB also wants to use the hub to collaborate with secondary schools on the Flemish coast. ‘In this way, we want to get young people excited about higher education,’ says rector VUB Jan Danckaert.
The VUB's new base is located on the Graaf de Smet de Naeyerlaan, where the Ostend Economic House was until recently located. The VUB on Sea is a collaboration between the City of Ostend , the Port of Ostend and the Flemish Free University of Brussels . ‘But it is not a traditional campus where classes are taught,’ emphasises Rector Jan Danckaert.
The VUB on Sea is an interdisciplinary research and training hub. It will be a base for researchers and students working on maritime research. Other VUB researchers working in the region will also be able to work there. Courses and postgraduate programmes will also be on offer.
‘Ostend is developing into a hotspot for the blue economy, maritime innovation, circular industry and drone technology,’ says Danckaert. ‘By being present here, we as a university are strengthening the interaction between research, businesses and policy.’
Encouraging young people to pursue higher education
Together with the City of Ostend, the VUB also wants to use the hub to attract young people to pursue higher education and STEM courses, sciences, technology, engineering and maths. To this end, they are collaborating with secondary schools and various organisations including the business association of the Flemish chamber of commerce and industry, the VOKA , the Flanders Marine Institute and the Belgian Naval Academy .
‘This allows pupils to become acquainted with the various fields of higher education,’ explains Danckaert. ‘There are also spaces available here where youngsters can experiment with STEM activities, where mathematics, science and technology come together. In this way, we want to get young people excited about higher education.’