Hasselt University
Hasselt University (Dutch: "Universiteit Hasselt or UHasselt") is a public research university with campuses in Hasselt and Diepenbeek, Belgium. It has more than 6,700 students and 1,500 academic, administrative and technical staff (2022). The university was officially established in 1971 as the Limburg Universitair Centrum (LUC) and changed its name to Hasselt University in 2005. UHasselt is ranked 47th out of 475 in the "Times Higher Education" ranking of universities younger than 50 years. According to the European Commission's "U-Multirank", the university belongs to the best 2% higher education institutions in the world. Hasselt University has  an extensive regional, national and global network of more than 500 partners, fostering collaboration in education, research and innovation. As of October 2020, Rector of Hasselt University is Prof. Bernard Vanheusden. Vice-Rector for Education is Prof. Wanda Guedens, Vice-Rector for Research Prof. Ken Haenen. History. Establishment and start UHasselt/LUC was official established by law in May 1971. In September 1973, the first academic year followed with around 320 students and six (undergraduate) programmes (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Dentistry and Medicine). Growth In the ensuing decades, Hasselt University went through an enormous transformation. In 1991, the Limburg Business  School (EHL) was transformed into the university's third faculty (Faculty of Applied Economics, presently Business Economics). The curriculum was expanded to include Transportation Sciences (2004), Law (2008), Architecture, Interior Architecture, Engineering Technology, Rehabilitation Sciences (2013) and Commercial Sciences (2015). In 2022, five additional programmes were launched: Social Sciences, Materiomics, Nursery and Midwifery, Healthcare Engineering and Engineering Technology: Computer Science. Partnerships In 2001, UHasselt/LUC and Maastricht University founded the Transnational University Limburg (tUL) – an international partnership involving two universities in two countries. tUL offers several programmes: Computer Science, Statistics, Biomedical Sciences and Law (a collaboration between tUL and KU  Leuven). In 2003, UHasselt/LUC and university colleges PHL and XIOS (presently, PXL University College) formed the Limburg Association of Higher Education, or AUHL. The Association eyes the further development of higher education and scientific research in the Region. Name change In 2005, LUC is renamed to Hasselt University (or UHasselt). From one to two campuses In 2012, UHasselt opened a second campus in the city centre of Hasselt. It includes the Rectorate, the Law Faculty Building and the Old Prison (‘Oude Gevangenis’). The Old Prison is the university's main seat as well as the place were new students  must register. Rectors of Hasselt University. Rectorial elections at UHasselt take place every four years. All members of the faculty and school boards are eligible to vote (including student representatives). As highest decision-making body, the board of governors officially appoint the new rector. Over the past decades, Hasselt University has had four rectors (including current Rector Vanheusden): Campuses and main buildings. Campus Diepenbeek. Campus Diepenbeek (75 hectares) is located in the ‘green belt’ near Hasselt. The campus is home to several research institutes, incubators and spin-offs. The student restaurant, University Library, class rooms and auditoriums are located in  Main Building D. Other notable campus buildings are the Science Tower (with laboratories for education and research in chemistry and physics) and the Application Centre for Concrete and Construction (ACB²). Campus Hasselt. Campus Hasselt (2 hectares) consists of the Rectorate (with the Rector's Office), the Faculty of Law and the Old Prison. The almost 200-year-old building has a restaurant, two auditoriums and former prison cells turned into study rooms. The Student Service Centre, where enrolment of new students takes place, is also located in the Old Prison Building. Faculties, Schools and research institutes. Faculties and Schools. UHasselt  has seven Faculties and three Schools, offering 18 Bachelor and 30 Master programmes in total (including 5 English-taught programmes): Research institutes and centres. UHasselt has four research institutes covering the entire research spectre (from fundamental research to applied research to valorisation): There are also three research centres: Student life. Student Council Each academic year, UHasselt students elect a Student Council (StuRa), consisting of fourteen members from the different Faculties and Schools. These representatives take part in several decision-making bodies, including the Board of Governors and the Educational Council. Student Associations. UHasselt has a rich student life, with several  Student Associations: Academic life. Opening academic year. The formal opening of the academic year traditionally takes place in the penultimate week of September. The day starts with the Procession of Professors in the centre of Hasselt and a toast by the Mayor at City Hall. In the afternoon, a ceremony with speeches and music is held. Foundation Day. Hasselt University celebrates its Foundation Day on May 28 (the day when the university was established by law, in 1971). To mark the occasion, honorary doctorate degrees are awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions made to a specific field and/or to society  in general. Each honorary doctor receives a diploma and the University Medal. In the past decades, numerous internationally renowned scientists, artists, architects, journalists and entrepreneurs from around the world joined the circle of honorary doctors of Hasselt University: