Ghent Campus & Accommodation
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Ghent, sparkling city of knowledge and culture
Ghent combines an impressive history with a vivid present. In medieval times the historical center of the city was the hart of Flanders. In fact, at that time Ghent was the second largest city north of the Alps, after Paris. It is situated at the crossroads of Europe, close to Belgium’s international airport (+/-45min) and has high-speed train connections with major European cities. Ghent is a compact city, combining all assets of a Metropolis with those of a small and cosy town. The historical centre is mainly a pedestrian area, and most cultural attractions, shopping, hotels, … are within walking distance. Along the canals throughout the city, one can wander around and pretend to be living in past centuries. No other city in Belgium has as many listed monuments as Ghent. Together with over 300 restaurants, excellent hotels, hundreds of charming taverns, typical pubs and many sport and recreation facilities, it is an example of Flemish hospitality and good living. And last but not least, Ghent is also a student city that thrives on the international reputation of Ghent University.
Flanders, beating heart of biotechnology in Europe
Flanders is known for its increasing concentration of biotech and life science companies. Flanders Bio clusters all the Flemish biotech players including companies, institutes, capital and service providers. Close to the city of Ghent, a biotech-valley hosting several biotech start-ups, life science companies, and the bio-incubator of the Flemish Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), is located. The VIB covers several research departments amongst which the Plant Systems Department. At Ghent University, the former research group headed by Prof. Dr. M. Van Montagu and the late Prof. Dr. J. Schell was at the basis of the technology for genetic transformation of plants.
Ghent University, a combination of tradition and innovation
With more than 26000 students and 6000 staff members, Ghent University is one of the leading institutions for education and research in the Low Countries. The university was founded in 1817 by William I, king of the Netherlands, as a Latin-speaking State University. Today Ghent University offers a research-based education at all levels – bachelor, master, PhD – and in every discipline. The university guarantees high quality standards in all aspects. Her international fame, in research as well as in education, is well-known. Unlike most universities, Ghent University does not have a single campus. Over the years the university locations and building complexes have spread over the entire city, so that today the university completely blends into the Ghent cityscape. The university has, next to the central services, a language centre, the university hospital and numerous musea. The core of the university consists of eleven faculties. These faculties offer all activities within the scholarly and scientific disciplines relating to education, research and service.
Faculty of Sciences, a broad spectrum of possibilities
The mission of the Faculty of Sciences encompasses the study of the natural sciences on the most fundamental level, however without losing grip on their applications.
The Faculty of Sciences therefore provides education and research at a high international level, with science and technology directed towards the needs of the society. The faculty offers courses and programmes not only in all traditional fields, but also in many more specialised disciplines. The faculty is proud to be attentive to the needs of her foreign students, offering counseling on all levels. Of course many courses are taught in Dutch, but it is the policy of the faculty to offer flexible alternatives to foreign students. Graduates of the Faculty of Sciences easily find a place in the society within the most diverse sectors.
The education in the different disciplines has its roots in intensive scientific research, performed in 14 departments. The departments, further divided into research groups, are supported by several logistic services.
The Institute of Biotechnology for Developing Countries
The Institute of Biotechnology for Developing Countries (IPBO) at the Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Sciences at Ghent University has been founded in 2000 by Marc Van Montagu. Emeritus Professor at Ghent University, Belgium, and president of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), Marc Van Montagu is a worldwide renowned pioneer in molecular biology. Together with his colleague the late Prof. Jeff Schell, he discovered the gene transfer mechanism Agrobacterium fasciens in plants and constructed the first chimerical plant gene, which resulted in the development of methods to alter Agrobacterium into an efficient delivery system for plant gene engineering. The mission of IPBO is dedicated to knowledge and technology transfer to developing countries with the aim to stimulate capacity building in plant biotechnology. IPBO entails in its mandate education mainly through theoretical and practical training with emphasis recent molecular techniques, coupled to innovative research oriented to the needs of developing countries. Much attention is also given to international regulations in relation to plant biotechnology and derived products more particular in the field of biosafety.
