Speak Up

             CC BY-ND Karen Triquet

As an incoming student at the VUB and more specifically, an International student it is often confusing who one can speak to about issues as well as how one can find a voice within all the complex university politics. 

Apart from finding ways to get involved with your lecturers and course itself the VUB has a few Offices put in place to do just that....

1. International Relations and Mobility Office

Where: Etterbeek Campus: Karel Van Miert Building, ground floor, Pleinlaan 5, B-1050 Brussels

"What we do:

- offer social and administrative assistance to students and staff in mobility

- manage quite a number of scholarship programmes with grants available to domestic and international students, based on a number of criteria.

- offer support in the design and implementation of selected international projects, in collaboration with VUB-academics and international partners or larger consortia.

- provide students of all nationalities with information on university life and facilitates their integration by organizing a wide range of cultural, social and sports activities, in collaboration with student associations."

(Vrije Universiteit Website, 2012)

*For more detailed information and contacts CLICK HERE

Office Hours

Monday/Thursday/Friday - 9:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:30

Tuesday/Wednesday - 9:00-12:30

Saturday/Sunday- closed

2. Student Council
Etterbeek Campus: Department of Student Policy, Building Y 

                     CC BY-ND Karen Triquet

"The Student Council defends student interests and gives advice on all matters affecting them. It is also responsible for policy and the development of student services within the framework of the budget approved by the Governing Council. The Student Council is required to keep the student body informed. The Student Council is made up of 24 students in total. In addition to the 16 studentmembers of the Governing Council and the Education Council already mentioned, there are 8 students who can be elected directly from any of the faculties." (Vrije Universiteit Website, 2012)

*For more detailed contact information CLICK HERE

General Faculty Election Information: http://www.vub.ac.be/SR/verkiezingen/studentenverkiezingen/algemeneinfoeng.html
AND results 2012:
http://www.vub.ac.be/SR/verkiezingen/studentenverkiezingen/indexeng.html

3. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PLATFORM

"Through the International Student Platform, international students can have a say in the decision and policy making process at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, mainly by advising the Student Council on matters related to international students"(Vrije Universiteit website, 2012).

LINK: https://my.vub.ac.be/en/international-student-platform
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:isp@vub.ac.be

4. FEEL AT HOME
Campus Etterbeek: Welcome Office, Els Van Gampelaere, Pleinlaan 2 ,1050 Brussel

Integration, Assistance and Support

"Our basic purpose is to inform new students about what's going on in their new environment and to help them to participate in the VUB Campus Life. General information about and assistance in dealing with every possible subject can be obtained from our department. This includes information about"(Vrije Universiteit Website).

*For a more detailed insight and contact information CLICK HERE

4. STUDENT INFORMATION HUB

Building D, room 1.02, Pleinlaan 2 , 1050 Brussels 

Open every working day from 13:30 till 17:00

"WHO is my educational path counselor?
WHAT date do the exams for the second semester start?
WHERE can I get a tuition payment certificate?
WHEN is the faculty secretary open?
HOW do I register my elective courses?"(Vrije Universiteit, 2012)

Contacts: [Telephone] +32 (0)2-629 20 10 [Fax] +32 (0)2-629 36 28 [Email] info@vub.ac.be

Other relevant and useful student-friendly sites to communicate on, can be found below:

*The general VUB Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vrijeuniversiteitbrussel?rf=106147296090956

*The specific Masters in Educational Sciences Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-of-Educational-Sciences-VUB/133578066722705

*VUB University's International Students Page:http://www.vub.ac.be/en/international/csc

*International Exchange Student Network(ESN):
    Main Webpage: http://www.esnbrussels.org/
    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/esn.brussels

*International Students at the VUB (a very good group to find out what is going on, as well as ask general questions about work, books for sale, accommodation, and everyday communication): https://www.facebook.com/groups/118798671450/?bookmark_t=group

FOR A HOST OF YOUTH ORGANISATIONS YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE 'STUDENT ORGANISATIONS BLOG' BY CLICKING HERE