University of Antwerp

Profile
1. The Universiteit Antwerpen is an open, student-oriented, democratic and pluralistic university. It aims for high quality and stimulates innovation in education, research and service.
2. With its scientific research, its academic education and its scientific and social service, the Universiteit Antwerpen wants to play a significant role in the realization of an open, democratic and multicultural society. It is a modern learning organization with continuous attention for the evolving needs of the students, for the developments in scientific research and for the ever changing social needs and developments.
3. It is the ambition of the Universiteit Antwerpen to find answers for actual and relevant scientific, social and policy problems. Starting from a solid tradition, it continuously aims for a renewing, original and multidisciplinary approach. Its profile as a pluralistic university that encourages a real dialogue in mutual respect for all ideological views, where the ideological discourse and ethical reflection are actively and institutionally given shape, forms an ideal environment for the prospering development of high-quality education and scientific research.
4. Academic freedom is a fundamental condition for the realization of the disinterested, democratic and pluralistic mission of the Universiteit Antwerpen, for the university as an organization with respect to the authorities, clients and interest groups, as well as for the co-workers within the university.
Core tasks
5. At the Universiteit Antwerpen, research and education go hand in hand and reinforce each other. The Universiteit Antwerpen wants to be a knowledge-centre for conducting pioneering and innovative research that passes the quality test of the national and international scientific and academic world.
6. As a privileged actor in the contemporary knowledge society, the Universiteit Antwerpen considers itself predestined to play a pioneering role in the context of a number of pillars of research of national and international renown. It thinks of multidisciplinary collaboration as an important stimulator of innovative research and supports the development of initiatives in virgin paths and territories of research that might lead to innovating insights.
7. The Universiteit Antwerpen wants to offer everybody with the appropriate competences the opportunity to acquire scientific knowledge, attitudes and skills to realise his or her role in society. In the light of the need for life-long learning, the Universiteit Antwerpen organises an educational offer in initial, advanced and continuing studies, accessible for specific target groups of all generations.
8. The Universiteit Antwerpen, in collaboration with its alumni, is in direct contact with the field of action through its initiatives for refresher and continuing education and through an institutionalised feedback on its programmes.
9. The Universiteit Antwerpen wants to disseminate the philosophy of sustainable development in all layers of society.
10. Scientific service partly functions as a test for social relevance of its research and education, with special attention for social needs in society and the problems of global imparity.
Support
11. With its knowledge and expertise the University Antwerpen wants to actively contribute to the sustainable development and expansion of the large Antwerp region, in collaboration with all actors involved. They want to participate in a pluralistic association of higher educational institutions and contribute to the development of a full offer of tertiary education in the region.
12. The Universiteit Antwerpen wants to embed itself in the urban fabric, with special attention for the spatial integration of its campuses and the quality of life round them. It also wants to reach for the social, economical, cultural and artistic worlds.
Actors
13. The Universiteit Antwerpen recognises the student as a full partner. It wants to form its students as critical and autonomously reflecting individuals, well equipped to find their own way in society. This is guaranteed by an ongoing attention for educational motivation, the improvement of the ability to cope for themselves and the educational professionalization of its academic staff. Together with the academic training, the Universiteit Antwerpen wants to contribute to the students’ individuation by means of an integrated approach of their reception and guidance, in view of academic, as well as social and material aspects.
14. The Universiteit Antwerpen wants to participate maximally in international exchange and collaboration programmes to offer its students an open and global view. It especially takes care over the reception and guidance of first-year students, students with a migrant background, students with restricted social-economical support and students from developing countries.
15. The Universiteit Antwerpen takes special care over all employees, as the quality of education, research and service also depends on them. Every member of staff as an individual can count on the recognition of his/her dignity and of his/her contribution to the realization of the tasks of the university. All members of staff are expected to treat each other on equal terms and in a spirit of mutual respect and trust. Staff policy is oriented at bringing about sustainable staff relations by means of e.g. aiming for maximal opportunities for development and promotion for those who have the appropriate qualifications and capacities, aiming for maximal job security, with a strong social concern, in particular for the family duties of the members of staff, and aiming for equal opportunities for women and members of staff with a migrant background.
Organization
16. The Universiteit Antwerpen is founded on the actual participation of all layers of staff in policymaking. The principle of subsidiarity is a basic principle for granting authority to the different levels of management. The managerial structure is simple and transparent, and is also widely anchored in society. The various staff layers and the students are represented on all managerial levels. The Universiteit Antwerpen is run in a spirit of tolerance and pluralism, without any ideological or political dominance. The policy of the Universiteit Antwerpen is developed in all openness and in a direct communication with all those involved.