WE ALL HAVE OUR INDIVIDUAL DNA, BUT WE’RE ALL A FAMILY
Are you a strong personality? Not afraid to voice a controversial opinion now and then? Or are you more the low-key type who unfailingly gets things done? We’ll welcome you with open arms. We applaud diversity, but our Enlightenment values remain written in stone.
History
The VUB grew out of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), founded in 1834. In 1970, we officially separated from the French-speaking ULB, but we continue to collaborate closely as sister universities in many areas.
Read more about our history.
The Enlightenment and our core values
Freedom, equality, solidarity
The VUB stands, first and foremost, for freedom, in terms of research, as well as expression. Everyone is free to be themselves and to express it, too, with respect for others, of course.
Equality encompasses parity (men/women, sexual orientation, origin, creed, language…) as well as equal opportunities. We therefore strive to ensure equal access to the VUB –as a student or a colleague –for people from all social groups.
Furthermore, with solidarity, we emphasise that we are firmly rooted in society and that we join forces with each other, with other organisations and companies – including internationally – in order to build a better world.
This is how our rector Caroline Pauwels sees our values in practice.
"The VUB is an academic pioneer in gender and diversity, with attention for people within the university and beyond."
RESEARCH PROFESSOR KAREN CELIS
Equality, but also diversity
In practice
In order to put our ambition into practice, we take many initiatives. These range from special diversity programmes (such as our gender action plan) to relatively simple measures to lower our threshold as an employer (such as, where possible, flexible employment terms).
Unity in diversity
Within the VUB, diversity is more than just a buzzword. We actively take the lead in working towards a diverse and tolerant society – and we apply these principles first and foremost to ourselves.
We consider differences in cultures, religions, backgrounds and beliefs to be an enrichment for our organisation. We therefore guarantee equal opportunities, without making any distinction based on gender, social or ethnic origin, creed, sexual orientation, age or disability. Moreover, as a Brussels university and the largest Flemish employer in Brussels, with many ongoing international collaborations, it is our duty to reflect the society around us.
IF YOU BECOME AN EMPLOYEE AT THE VUB, YOU'LL RECEIVE MULTIPLE BENEFITS
Discover more about them.
