Pintra (EN) Blog
Recently, we launched the Mision in Motion quiz to give colleagues a playful way to reflect on how our mission, vision and lines of strength already live in their daily work. Around 200 colleagues completed the quiz. While this is not representative of the entire university, their responses offer a valuable first insight into the strengths we share and the principles colleagues most naturally bring into practice.
Every researcher knows the feeling: your topic is complex, your data are complicated and your time is scarce. And yet, whether at a family gathering, for a journalist, for your faculty blog or for the stakeholders of your project, you want to make it clear in a short time why your work matters. The annual PRESS>SPEAK competition helps researchers do exactly that. Four participants share their experiences and their best communication tips.
For many people, cybersecurity sounds technical – something for ICT specialists sitting at computers guarding lines of code. Until you receive a suspicious email. Or leave your laptop on the train. Or a system suddenly stops working. Then it becomes something that concerns all of us. We spoke with Sabine Marichal, our ICT Security & Risk Officer, about what is done every day to keep UAntwerp digitally secure and why your behaviour is crucial in that respect.
Did you know that UAntwerp has been developing its own software for institutes of higher learning, heritage institutions and museums in Belgium and abroad for more than 25 years? What started as a collaboration between five partners has grown into a unique network and a powerful set of digital solutions. For many years, these were known as Anet and Brocade. With the name change to Wander, that story is now more visible than ever. Head of service Véronique Rega explains why this change is happening and what it means.
What do we stand for as a university? In challenging times like these, that question matters more than ever. Our mission and vision are more than lofty statements, and you help bring them to life every day – often without realising it. With the online Mission in Motion quiz, you can refresh your knowledge of our mission, vision and lines of strength in a quick and enjoyable way. You’ll also discover what we bring to the table together.
Take the quiz
Whoever steps into the right wing of the 16th-century Hof van Liere finds themselves in an oasis of calm on the Stadscampus. Behind the historic façades lies the Universiteitsclub: a refined restaurant where quality, hospitality and sustainability come together. Head chef Aaron De Ceuster and unit coordinator Nele Crabbé take us behind the scenes.
What makes a city healthy? And how can the university contribute to this health from different disciplinary perspectives? These were the questions behind an interfaculty reflection session organised by Lieven Janssens (Social Sciences), Jasna Loos (Medicine and Health Sciences) and Caroline Masquillier (Social Sciences & Medicine and Health Sciences). Sixty academics from a wide range of disciplines, as well as colleagues from Antwerp University Hospital and our association partners AP and KdG, exchanged ideas on how interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration can help make Antwerp a healthy city.
The brand-new Building G.W on Campus Groenenborger was officially opened on 14 October. Behind the facade lies a future-oriented building where innovation, sustainability and safety come together. The new chemistry laboratories housed here are taking sustainable chemistry research to the next level. Prof. Vera Meynen, chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Herman Van Looveren, domain coordinator Lab, show us behind the scenes.
A hike through the Portuguese countryside. A half marathon in Antwerp. What began as two separate initiatives by staff members at CORE – UAntwerp’s Center for Oncological Research – grew into a joint effort with one clear goal: to raise visibility and funds for innovative cancer research.
For the third year in a row, the number of first-year students at our university has risen. By 16 September, the total had already reached 3,405 new students, a 7.6% increase on last year. And enrolments are still coming in. Here’s an overview of the most notable figures.
If you travel within Europe for work, you know the rule by now: if your destination can be reached by train within eight hours, UAntwerp asks you to avoid flying. But even for cities further afield, the train is often worthwhile – especially if you opt for a night train. Researchers Katrien Danhieux (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) and Kathleen Andries (Faculty of Business and Economics) demonstrated just that last spring on their trip to Budapest. They share their insights on sustainable travel, practical tips and the comfort of a moving hotel room.
Every year, we look forward to Unifiesta, the UAntwerp staff party. This year’s edition – the seventh one – didn’t disappoint. With more than 1800 enthusiastic employees, it was a lively party full of music, socialising and tradition — a true celebration of who we are as a university: connected, open and full of energy.