Activities international office

At the request of African students who were experiencing difficulties in meeting and getting to know other students, the World Evening originated in 2005. A friendship evening was organised at that time, and in view of success of the initiative, Africa Night became an annual World Night. During this evening, foreign students can present their culture with workshops, food stands, music and dance.

More information will be announced here.

Since 2014, the Hasselt University Student Council, StuRa, also has an advisory body, the International Council, to give students speaking different languages a chance to participate in policymaking. Meetings of the International Council are therefore held in English.

More information about the International Council can be found in the code of conduct (pdf, 423 KB).

UHasselt means it!
Hasselt University was declared 'sold on fair trade' in 2006. Obtaining this title was seen as a starting point rather than an end point - a lever to achieve new engagement in the area of sustainable production and consumption. This campaign came to an end in 2007. Max Havelaar, Oxfam Wereldwinkels, 11.11.11. and Vredeseilanden then decided to develop the concept further with the 'FairTradeGemeente' scheme. UHasselt obtained the label 'UHasselt means it' and has further pursued its commitment to fair trade.

Hasselt University is a proud participant of the annual Fair Trade Week and organizes various activities. This Fair Trade Week takes place in October.

The interdisciplinary course Globalisation and Sustainable Development, formerly North-South, consists of a series of lectures and debates by experts on contemporary development topics in a variety of domains (e.g. education, law, international politics, architecture and planning, health, agriculture, economics and management, etc.). These topics are approached from a global relations perspective that emphasizes sustainability.

The lectures make students aware of the importance of context, culture, history and experience in knowledge creation and (inter)national development strategies and practices. The course aims to provide a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary global issues while at once stimulating students’ (self-)reflective and respectful attitude towards other cultures.

The course is part of the Global Minds programme of Hasselt University, a programme funded by VLIR-UOS.

More information about the elective course, its content, dates and registration can be found here.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's)

By the end of September 2015, all members of the United Nations created 17 ambitious goals, Sustainable Development Goals, to improve the world by 2030. These SDG's are developed based on the success of the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDG's). The first 15 goals correspond to the 3 pillars of sustainable development: people (social), planet (ecology) and prosperity (economy). The last two goals create the vital framework: peace (SDG 16 - peace and security) and partnership (SDG 17). To be able to reach these goals, everybody has to contribute: governments, private sector, individuals, and also Hasselt University!

Maybe you have had some experience abroad yourself? If so, you will undoubtedly have discovered how hard it can be to find your way in a new environment and to familiarise yourself with local ways of doing things. This is why we are looking for Buddies to help international students find their way around when arriving in Hasselt.

What is the Buddy Programme?

Every year, Hasselt University welcomes hundreds of students from all over the world. The purpose of the Buddy Programme is to help international students integrate into Flemish student life. In return, the Buddy gets the opportunity to practise a foreign language and learn about new cultures.

The Buddy is a Hasselt University student who is willing to provide support to a new international student. The International Office will do its best to find a good match for each Buddy and international student. At the start of each semester, a Buddy meeting will be held to which all Buddies and international students are invited, so that they can get to know one another personally. Various activities will also be organised during the semester, but it is up to the two of you to determine how much interaction and support is needed.

If you have any questions or you would like more information, do not hesitate to contact international@uhasselt.be

Would you like to become a Buddy?

Would you like to meet students from all over the world, share your knowledge of UHasselt/Hasselt/Belgium, improve your language skills and strengthen your intercultural skills? Then help an international student and become a Buddy!

Examples of activities you can do as a Buddy:

• meet the international student at the train station
• give him/her a tour of Hasselt (shops, bar, etc.) during his/her first week
• introduce him/her to Belgian customs and student life
• take part in the welcome activities for Buddies and international students
• ...and plenty more besides these.

Interested in becoming a Buddy? Register via this link. The International Office will try to find a perfect match; you will then receive an email with the contact details of your international student, and the international student will receive an email with your contact details. From then on it is up to you to contact the student and get to know one another. We also organise a welcome event for you and your international student after he/she has arrived.

Do you want to request a Buddy?

The Buddy Programme is designed to make it easier for you to settle in at Hasselt University and in Belgium. You will be matched with a UHasselt student who has volunteered to help you find your way around during the early days of your stay and introduce you to Belgian customs and student life here.

Interested in requesting a Buddy? Then register via your pre-registration dossier. The International Office will try to find a perfect match, and you will then receive an email with the contact details of your Buddy, while your Buddy receives an email with your contact information. From then on it is up to you to make contact and get to know one another. After your arrival, we also organise a welcome event for you and your Buddy.