The Ghent University

The Ghent University was founded by King William I of the Netherlands in 1817. Latin was replaced by French as the language of instruction after the foundation of the Belgian State in 1830. Since the majority of the population in the Flemish North of the Country was Dutch-speaking, a linguistic battle to replace French by Dutch started in the 1880's. The changeover to Dutch was finally enforced by law on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Belgian Independence in 1930. After the second World War, subsidies were increased and the University gradually became more accessible. Step by step it acquired more self-government.

The Ghent University has expanded to become one of the larger universities in Belgium. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1992, looking back on a history of solid academic achievements in a wide range of disciplines.

The Ghent University is a full-fledged university. Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate Degrees can be obtained in practically all fields of study. It also organizes postgraduate, open university and continuing education courses.

There are about 140 academic departments. They are organized in eleven faculties and two schools, occupying about thirty-three sites in and around the city of Ghent. The University has over 17,000 students, about half of them women.

Personnel at the expenses of direct government funding consists of around 700 professors, 450 research assistants and 1130 administrative and technical staff members. The annual budget amounted to about 8 billion Belgian francs in 1993. The Ghent University is governed by the University Council and the University Board. The University Council consists of thirty-three voting members : the Rector, the Vice-Rector, twelve professors, two research assistants, three administrative/technical staff members, four students, three representatives from trade unions and four representatives appointed by the Flemish Government. The Registrar, The Bursar, the Government Commissioner and the Inspector of Finances have an advisory vote in the meetings.

The University Board consists of the Rector, the Vice-Rector, The Registrar, the Bursar, the Government Commissioner, the Inspector of Finances and six more members of the University Council.

Main Menu Index Back