WHERE?Xx July 2009

Valère MeusHead of the International Relations Office

Ghent UniversityGeneral introduction andInternationalisation Policy

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Outline

Ghent University

• A rich history

• Present – Facts and numbers

students, PhD students, staff members

• Organisation

education and research

• International Strategy

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Ghent University A rich history

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Het Pand Book TowerAula

Ghent University A rich history

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

• Founded in 1817 by William I, King of the Netherlands

• Belgian independence 1830: Belgian State University

• Alma Mater of eminent scientists: Joseph Plateau, Leo Baekeland, Corneel Heymans, Dirk Frimout

• Alma Mater of Jacques Rogge, IOC

• Decree of the Flemish Community 1991: great autonomy to Ghent University

• 2003: creation of Ghent University Association

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

• 1990s - today: uninterrupted growth

• 11 faculties, education and research in all scientific branches

• open, committed and pluralistic university

• broad international perspective

• located in the cultural and economic heart of Europe

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

• Revenue: 470 million EUR (2009)(direct funding Flemish Community: 49%)

• 58% of the revenue is used for personnel costs, 30% for operations and equipment, the remaining 12% goes to the depreciation of the university investments, risk provisions and financial costs

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

32 872 students (2009)

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Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Students per faculty

47854599 4540

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29032635 2606 2520

18601634

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GE PP LW RE TW WE PS EB LA DI FW

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Students per faculty - % foreign students

Faculty Foreign Belgian Percentage

LW 271 4,500 6%

RE 252 3,750 6.7%

WE 426 2,560 16.6%

GE 219 4,782 4.6%

IR 339 2,800 12%

EB 201 2,450 8%

DI 429 1,610 26.6%

PP 126 4,500 2.8%

BW 589 1,800 32.7%

FW 38 880 4.3%

PS 113 2,500 4.5%

TOTAL 3,003 32,050 9.4%

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

PhD Students (2008-2009)

• 2,608 PhD students• of which 631 foreign PhD students (24%)• 30 Chinese PhD students• Dominant areas: Sciences, Engineering, Bioscience Engineering and Medical

Sciences

• Trend: promoting Joint PhDs

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Number of PhD degrees awarded (1999 – 2008)

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Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

7,100 staff members approx. (2009 excl. Ghent University Hospital)

• 962 professors (autonomous academic staff)• 1,068 assistants (assisting academic staff)• 747 other scientific staff• 2,307 administrative and technical staff members• 2,010 externally financed researchers

Ghent University Present – Facts and Numbers

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Ghent University Hospital

From 1987 on university hospital with corporate personality• Annual budget: 400,000,000 EUR• Staff members: 6,011• In patient treatment

- admissions 78,357- days of hospitalisation 298,255- surgical interventions

(general and local anesthesia) 30,462 • Ambulatory care - consultations 402,708

Ghent University Organisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

chart

RectorBoard of Governors

↓Executive Board

11 faculties

8 central departments (institutional administration)

Department of Educational Affairs, Research Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Personnel and Organisation, Student

Facilities, Infrastructure and Facility Management, the Financial Department and the Information and

Communication Technology Department

Ghent University Organisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Education at Ghent UniversityCentral Administration: Dept. of Educational Affairs

Ghent University Organisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Research at Ghent UniversityCentral Administration: Dept. of Research Affairs

Ghent University Organisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Ghent University Association

• Ghent University 32,872 students

• University College Ghent 1 13,000 students

• Artveldehogeschool University College 8,000 students

• University College of West Flanders 4,000 students

57,000 students (28% of the total student population in Flanders) and 10,000 members of staff

200 basic courses (Bachelors and Masters) and 160 postgraduates in all scientific and academic fields

Internationalisation @ Ghent University

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

International Strategy

UGent Mission Statement (University Board 1998), art. 2:

“Ghent University defines itself in a broad international perspective and brings out its individuality in language and culture.”

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

International Relations Office – Mission

1. Logistics of International Mobility: Facilitating international mobility of students, teaching and administrative staff within EU programmes and bilateral agreements

2. Programme management and coordination: Promotion and support of UGent participation in international educational programmes

3. Policy development: Preparing, advising and facilitating UGent Internationalisation Policy

4. Communication & marketing: promote Ghent University as a partner for

international co-operation

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

1. Facilitating international mobility

At central level => 1 Adviser for incoming exchange students 1 Advisor for outgoing exchange students

Administrative preparation Help with application procedureGuidance through accommodation application : university student residences : 1520 roomsWelcome Day, exchange guides, support to ESNLanguage vouchers

At faculty level (FCI staff)Academic preparation and follow up

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

1. Facilitating international mobility

Student services University Residences1520 rooms

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

2. International Education Programmes

EU programmes• Lifelong Learning Programme• Tempus• Alfa • Atlantis - EU-Canada –Australia-NZ• Erasmus Mundus Action 1 (EMMC)• Erasmus Mundus Action 2 (formerly EMECW)• Edulink

Other• > 80 interuniversity bilateral agreements• International educational cooperation projects (Flemish Community)• Networks: e.g. Santander Group

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Erasmus Mundus – Action 1: Master Courses

UGent coordinates 6 EMMC programmes, and is partner in 2 more

• International Master of Science in Rural Development• European Master in Nuclear Fusion Science and Engineering Physics• Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Photonics• Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation• European Master of Science in Nematology• International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering

• European Master in Law and Economics• Common European Master Course in Biomedical Engineering

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Erasmus Mundus – Action 2 (formerly EMECW)

• Cluster of countries

• Exchanges on all levels: bachelor, master, PhD, post-docs, teaching staff (1 to 36 months)

• UGent coordinates of 2 EM Action 2 projects: Western Balkan since 2007 - BASILEUSChina since 2009 - LiSUM

• UGent participates in several others as partner

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Bilateral Agreements

• Stimulates and finances cooperation with non-EU countries; focus on teaching staff and student exchange

• UGent: >80 agreements

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

3. Preparing, advising and facilitating UGent Internationalisation Policy

• New Policy Committee on Internationalisation, Chairman Rector/Vice-Rector

• Streamline different existing initiatives/policies and define new ones: interuniversity bilateral agreements spearhead disciplinespreferential regions: Strat. Alliance, Interreg, AUGent,

internationalisation@home

• IRO members are asked as experts for e.g. EU Commission for evaluating projects etc

Ghent University Internationalisation

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Conclusion: Hard work @ UGent IRO

• coordination of 6 EMMC programmes• retaining ECTS label• Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence• 1/20 Succes stories Erasmus and Jean Monnet (DGEAC)• China Platform + office in Beijing• coordination of 2 EM Action 2 projects

Western Balkans (BASILEUS) China (LiSUM)

Contact

Ghent University – International Relations OfficeValère Meus – Xx July 2009

Ghent University - International Relations Office

Valère Meus

Ghent UniversityDepartment of Educational Affairs

International Relations OfficeOnderbergen 4 a-c

B-9000 Ghent

E-mail: Valere.Meus@UGent.beTel.: +32 9 264 82 34Fax: +32 9 264 83 99