Université catholique de Louvain

Description

UCLouvain is a stabilising force in an uncertain world. It prioritises universal access to high-quality education and makes innovation the governing principle of its activities, in teaching as much as in research. It creates synergies between its involvement in regional development and its international influence, enabling them to fuel each other. Its research reveals complexity and provides perspective in a world that emphasises the here and now.

In June 2015, university authorities approved ‘Louvain 2020’, a strategic plan to guide UCLouvain to the end of the decade. Designed with input from throughout the university, the plan addresses several areas, including: high-quality course offerings, improving the university’s ranking as a research institution, reinforcing internationalisation, intensifying regional cooperation, developing the ‘digital university’, and promoting universal equality.

The values on which UCLouvain’s vision is based are openness to others and to differences, solidarity, freedom and respect. Faculty enjoy academic freedom enshrined in the constitution, specifically, freedom of thought in the pursuit of truth arrived at scientifically and free from the undue influence of current trends. UCLouvain is a cosmopolitan and intellectual human space whose diversity stimulates encounters between people of different backgrounds and with the world itself in the spirit of rational discussion and mutual enrichment. Its Christian tradition is a living heritage, a driving force of an authentic pluralism that benefits and respects all people regardless of their beliefs.

Three missions

Education

UCLouvain wants to enable those who wish to do so - young people at the end of secondary education or adults engaged in professional life - to train and acquire the skills useful for their development and professional activities.

In order to guarantee the quality of training, pedagogical innovation is intimately linked to the development and updating of training programs.

Research

Research University, UCLouvain takes its place in an international community on the basis of the recognition of the excellence of its contributions to the development and transmission of knowledge.

UCLouvain fosters an environment conducive to scientific creativity, promotion activities and the balance between the functions of researcher and teacher.

Service to society

UCLouvain contributes to the development of a society that ensures the well-being of all citizens through

• its regional roots in seven locations of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and its two university hospitals;
• the impact of his research and teaching;
• the alumni network it energizes;
• the creation of spin-offs;
• the development of science parks and incubators;
• development cooperation.