Pintra (EN) Blog
How do we want to study, work and come together in 2050? And what buildings and campuses will we need to make that possible? With its Strategic Campus Plan, UAntwerp is developing a framework to guide the future of its campuses. Sustainability, accessibility and a pleasant environment in which to live and work are at the heart of the plan.
In the section ‘The Feather’, a staff member puts a colleague in the spotlight. This time, Kevin Van Tichelen passes the compliment to Maarten Jeursen, planner at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences.
What most students take for granted, buying that hefty course book, ordering a cheese sandwich with all the trimmings, going to a party now and then, is a real luxury for others, or simply out of reach. Justa, Elien (*), Iben and Bohdana share their experiences of studying in difficult circumstances. “Student life? No time or money for that.”
Pressing pause for a moment. For many students and staff, that’s not always a given on a busy campus. Between classes, meetings and everything else a day on campus brings, finding a moment of peace can be a challenge. That’s why quiet spaces on almost all our campuses offer a place to take a breather.
The academic year has begun. Thousands of new students are taking their first steps on our campuses. For many of them, the transition to higher education can feel a bit daunting. That’s why, through U stArt, UAntwerp focuses on new students’ first 100 days. The initiative brings together activities, information sessions, workshops, support and opportunities to meet others, all designed to help new students find their way around the university. This programme is made possible by dozens of colleagues from the faculties, central services and student associations.
Nova Academy, the lifelong learning network of which UAntwerp is a member, is growing rapidly. Seven new partners have joined. The aim is to make our range of further education and professional development courses more accessible to a wider audience and to collaborate more closely on the content. ‘Lifelong learning should be the norm,’ says Jan Dries, vice-chair for lifelong learning.
On Friday 8 August, Antwerp once again turned every shade of the rainbow during the Antwerp Pride Parade. The University of Antwerp was there, hand in hand with KdG, AP and AMA under the joint AUHA UNITED flag. On the AUHA parade float, we spoke with students and staff about visibility, inclusion and the meaning of this year’s theme, ‘Fearless’.
We increasingly work digitally: we communicate via Teams or chat and collaborate in shared documents. It’s efficient, but it also makes collaboration feel more distant. You know what your colleagues are working on, but less about who they are. The spontaneous chats disappear and it’s no longer a given you can put a face to a name. However, it’s precisely those informal connections that make the difference and create genuine connection. Meeting in person isn’t about nostalgia, it’s an investment in collaboration. Pintra spoke to a range of teams, from library staff and researchers to administrative teams. Everywhere, the message was the same: seeing each other pays off.
Every day, komida takes steps towards working more sustainably. One great example is its collaboration with a local quinoa producer: Kontichse Korrel. Their fields are located close to Campus Drie Eiken. We spoke to both Magali Hiel, coordinator at komida, and Diane Van Hul, owner of Kontichse Korrel.
In the section ‘The Feather’, a staff member puts a colleague in the spotlight. This time, Britt Van Beek, passes the compliment to Kevin Van Tichelen, teaching assistant at the Department of Veterinary Sciences.
Internationalisation doesn’t have to mean packing a suitcase for a semester abroad. At UAntwerp, internationalisation is taking shape this academic year through seven Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), spread across different faculties. Students and lecturers from different countries learn with and from each other.
What do you get when you combine sunshine, good food and great colleagues? Unifiesta 2026. In glorious …
“Unifiesta once again brings music, good food and people together”
