Integrated Policy Plan for Internationalisation

Vision

Ghent University first identified its priorities regarding Internationalisation in an Integrated Policy Plan for Internationalisation (IPPI) for the period 2014-2018. The IPPI 2019-2023 builds on this 1st policy plan and aims for Ghent University to take a leading role in Europe  as a university that excels internationally in education and research, where all members of the Ghent University community, regardless of their background, feel at home and where students are optimally prepared for the challenges of today's globalized society and labour market, across national borders.

Why make structural investments in internationalisation?

  • Internationalisation is a driving force for innovation
  • Internationalisation creates synergies, inside and outside the institution
  • Internationalisation leads to a higher quality of education, research and service to society
  • Internationalisation provides content to the social and global responsibility of Ghent University
  • Internationalisation strengthens the reputation of Ghent University

An institutional vision on internationalisation

For Ghent University, internationalisation offers important opportunities to tackle the challenges it is confronted with, both internally and externally, and to optimize the quality of its education, research and services to society. At the same time, Ghent University aims for a greater international visibility and competitiveness and for an impact on external policies (Flemish, Belgian and European) in the field of international cooperation. In the pursuit of these ambitions, other considerations need to be made, such as the possible limitations that may arise with regard to human rights when selecting partner institutions and how to reconcile these ambitions with a pioneering role regarding sustainability. To this end, a holistic and ethical framework is used in order to guide Ghent University’s internationalisation policy within the existing international context.

Ghent University applies a model of embedded internationalisation, in which internationalisation is inextricably linked to other university-wide policy visions and plans, and is embedded within the existing central and faculty structures. The implementation of the IPPI, for example, will greatly contribute to the achievement of the university-wide objectives.

In order to achieve the intended leadership role and to realize these ambitions, 12 priority areas have been defined within the IPPI 2019-2023, subdivided into 4 clusters:

Ghent University and the international context

  • Making effective strategic choices regarding qualitative partnerships
  • Strengthening the current operations regarding Regional Platforms, International Thematic Networks & Strategic Institutional Partnerships
  • Rolling out the pilot project "U4Society, an inclusive European University for all"
  • Expanding the Ghent University Global Campus in South Korea (GUGC)
  • Strengthening Ghent University's international image

Internationalisation as motor of broad innovation & social engagement

  • Strengthening the innovative role of internationalisation within Ghent University through monitoring and reporting
  • Collaborate with universities and research centres in the Global South

Focus on quality of inflow and outflow of students, researchers & staff members

  • Expanding the offered opportunities for internationalisation experiences for students, researchers and staff members
  • Active talent recruitment
  • Improving welcoming and supervision services for international staff, researchers and students
  • International alumni policy

Internal Ghent University structure regarding internationalisation

  • Optimize the positioning, composition, responsibilities of the internationalisation structures, both at central and faculty level

Download the full Integrated Policy Plan for Internationalization 2019-2023

Internationalisation Council

The Internationalisation Council acts as an advisory body to the Board of Governors or the Executive Board and can formulate advice on all transversal aspects related to internationalization at Ghent University, both at their request and on its own initiative. It draws up a transversal policy plan on internationalisation (Integrated Policy Plan for Internationalisation), evaluates and adjusts the implementation of this policy in consultation with all actors involved. All transversal internationalization themes can be discussed. For education and research-related aspects within the transversal themes, the Internationalisation Council is obliged to obtain advice from the Education Council and the Research Council respectively. 

Composition

Chair

  • Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vicerector

Vice-Chair

  • Mike Nachtegael, Chief Academic Administrator

Members

  • Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Director of Education
  • Ignace Lemahieu, Director of Research
  • Dominique Van Acker, Director of Student Facilities 

  • Representatives of the faculties (professorial staff ):

    • Lieve Van Hoof (Faculty of Arts and Philosophy)

    • Georges Martyn (Faculty of Law and Criminology) 

    • Marleen De Troch (Faculty of Sciences) 

    • Kristiane Van Lierde (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) 

    • Kim Verbeken (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture)

    • Frederik Gailly (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration) 

    • Sarah Gabriel (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences) 

    • Kris Rutten (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences) 

    • Mieke Uyttendaele (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering) 

    • Marthe De Boevre (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences) 

    • Ronan Van Rossem (Faculty of Political and Social Sciences) 

  • Representatives of the assistant academic staff:

    • Eva Degraeuwe

  • Representatives of the administrative and technical staff:
    • An Desmet (α-faculty cluster)
    • Wim Hoste (β-faculty cluster)
    • Tanya Struik (γ-faculty cluster) 
    • Leonie Vanderstraeten (Department of Communication and Marketing) 
    • Frederik De Decker (Department of Educational Policy) 
    • Dirk De Craemer (Research Department)
    • Tineke De Bock (Department of Personnel and Organization) 
    • Francis Ascoop (Department of Student Facilities) 
  • Student representatives:
    • Ruben Scholtis en Emiel Verbeeren (α-faculty cluster)
    • N.N. (β-faculty cluster)
    • N.N. (γ-faculty cluster) 
  • External representatives:
    • Katleen Haentjens
    • Claire Tillekaerts
  • Members with advisory vote:
    • Geert Van de Merckt (Department of Infrastructure and Facility Management)
    • Evelyne De Cordier (Information and Communication Technology Department)
    • Pieter Pauwels (Research Department - GUGC)
  • Secretary/note taker

Frederik De Decker

COS

The Commission Development Cooperation (Dutch: Commissie Ontwikkelingssamenwerking - COS) is the advisory body to the Executive Board and the Board of Governors in the matter of university development cooperation. Besides this advisory role, the COS also advises the Flemisch Interuniversity Council, University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS).

Composition

Chair

  • Geert Janssens

Members

  • Mike Nachtegael, Chief Academic Administrator
  • Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Director of Education
  • Ignace Lemahieu, Director of Research Department
  • Faculty representatives and substitutes (a member of the) professorial staff:
    • Inge Brinkman/Gillian Mathys - Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
    • Yves Jorens/Clara Burbano Herrera - Faculty of Law
    • Kristine Walraevens/Wim Bert - Faculty of Sciences
    • Olivier Degomme/Kristiane Van Lierde - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
    • Luce Beeckmans/- - Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
    • Saskia Crucke/ Jacob Vermeire - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
    • Luc Duchateau/ Sarah Gabriël - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
    • Kris Rutten/Ine Lietaert - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
    • Pascal Boeckx/Ann Verdoodt - Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
    • Marthe De Boevre /Katrien Remaut - Faculty of Sciences Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Karen Büscher/Bert Suykens - Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
  • Luce Beeckmans, Peter Decat - AAP representative
  • Dieter Roefs, Rudy Gevaert - ATP representative
  • Zoë Vandamme, Jasper De Smedt - student representative

Members with advisory vote

  • Erik Maes, government commissioner
  • Sandrine Killemaes (secretariat government commissioner )
  • Dirk De Craemer, head of office research coordination (DOZA)
  • Frederik De Decker, head of office internationalisation (DOWA)
  • Pieter Pauwels, policy advisor international affairs
  • Annelies Verdoolaege, Africa Platform
  • Jean Dhont, Aseanplus Platform
  • Barbara Claeys, CESAM platform
  • Representatives HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts: Kathleen Van Heule, NN
  • Representatives Artevelde University of Applied Sciences: Séverine Van der Stighelen, Sofie Vastmans
  • Representatives HoWest: Isabelle Pertry, Kurt Debaere, Katelijne Demeyere
  • Faculty experts for Global South:Laura Cortada - Faculty of Sciences
  • Marc Twagirumukiza - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Tarek Beji- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
  • Bishoy Louis Zaki - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
  • Arturo Muñoz Saravia - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • Dereje Regasa - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
  • Christine Yung Hung - Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
  • Trancizeo Lipenga - Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Mary Ann Manaha- Faculty of Political and Social Sciences

Secretary

  • Nancy Terryn - Liesbeth Vandepitte - Tom Broeks - Steven Schoofs