Strategy
Internationalisation is more than mobility. But what exactly does it mean?
At Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, we follow the definition of Hans de Wit et al. (2015). He defines internationalisation as follows:
"The intentional process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into the purpose, functions, and delivery of post-secondary education, in order to enhance the quality of education and research for all students and staff, and to make a meaningful contribution to society."
Hence, according to de Wit, internationalisation is a process where the international dimension (focus on different countries), the intercultural dimension (focus on diversity and different cultures) and the global dimension (focus on the bigger picture, worldwide) are introduced in all sections of the university college.
Internationalisation is therefore a matter for all stakeholders. It is a cross-cutting theme which is found throughout the organisation and which is reflected in the strategy, structures, education, research and services, HR policy and partnerships of our university of applied sciences.
At Artevelde University of Applied Sciences we consider internationalisation as a lever to:
- reinforce the professional identity of students and staff;
- improve the quality of our education;
- enhance the quality of our research;
- facilitate our social mission;
- shape our appreciative organisation;
- optimise our quality management;
- intensify our international profile.
Our partner network
Artevelde UAS has connections all over the world, offering a wide variety of meaningful cooperation and exchange possibilities to all of our staff and students.
Not only higher education institutions are a part of our network, but also NGO’s, companies and government agencies. This large partner network is the result of making considerate choices, always putting quality up front and with the necessary attention to guarantee full inclusion, also when it comes to ethical considerations and guaranteeing human rights.
Partners are then selected for their complementarity in terms of making valuable contributions to both our practices and expertise. We enrich and strengthen each other with our knowledge and cultures, creating sustainable partnerships. This results in various domain specific networks, educational intensive programmes, joint programmes and double degree programmes and numerous research and development projects.
Institutional and strategic consortia
On a larger scale, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences takes on the coordinating role within a European wide strategic consortium, UP University.
Another institution wide network is EUniverCities. Within this international network, we, together with the City of Ghent, approach mutual challenges that are part of living, studying and working in a city, such as student housing, (international) talent retention, or community service learning practices. It also forms an integral part of investigating where our role of knowledge institution could contribute to strengthen local actors and can blend into a larger local community. Discover more on www.eunivercitiesnetwork.com.
Academic Diplomacy
By investing in academic diplomacy, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences again endorses its efforts in building durable relations with its partners. We regularly take part in Belgian Royal or economic missions abroad and take this opportunity to connect and deepen our relations with all local partners.
International memberships
Thanks to the many international memberships in our specific subject areas and participation in higher education and research conferences, our lecturers, researchers and staff members can maintain and expand their international networks.
To fully include our Associate Degree programmes, we are part of the Chain 5 network, which is the ‘community of practice for level 5’ for those who are involved in the developments concerning level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework.
Our institution is active in several working platforms/groups? within the Flemish Council for Higher Education, and is a member of EURASHE.
Below you can find the most important international networks for our five domains
- Business and Management: Businet, Network of International Business Schools (NIBS), Network for Innovation in Career Guidance and Counseling in Europe (NICE-network)
- Communication, Media & Design: European Journalism Training Association (EJTA)
- Health and Care: Consortium of Institutes of Higher Education in Health and Rehabilitation ( Cohehre)
- Education: European Higher Education Network of Teacher and Social Education (Comenius Association), International Step by Step Association (ISSA)
- People and Society: ISSA, European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW), The International Social Work and Society Academy (TISSA)
ESCI Champion
In June 2025, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences has been recognised by the European Commission (DG EAC, the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture) as an ESCI Champion for the implementation of Erasmus Without Paper (EWP).
Erasmus Without Paper is a key component of the European Student Card Initiative (ESCI), which aims to simplify and digitalise mobility management across Europe. Being named an ESCI Champion highlights our pioneering role in this process and our continued efforts to streamline mobility workflows for students, staff, and partners.
At Artevelde UAS, we view digitalisation as an opportunity to enhance transparency, collaboration, and efficiency in international exchanges. Through EWP, we have achieved a full digital implementation of Digital Learning Agreements for outgoing students, as well as centralised and transparent management of inter-institutional agreements.
This recognition aligns closely with our broader internationalisation strategy, reinforcing our mission to create seamless and sustainable mobility experiences for all students and staff.
For more information, visit the official ESCI Champions page.
UP University
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is a member of UP University, which is a European University Alliance, consisting of 11 European Higher Education Institutions. We were awarded the Seal of Excellence for our Consortium goals from the European Commission. All UP University partners committed to long-term future collaboration in education and research.
We share a commitment to applied education, interdisciplinary research and teaching, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.
‘Responsible Living for the Next Generations’ is core in our mission. Our consortium will empower students, staff and researchers to take social responsibility in addressing present and future challenges. Through this empowerment, we will equip citizens to contribute to better outcomes for their regions and society and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
The promising combination of geographical balance, varied expertise, skills, and a strong commitment to quality within our consortium collectively drives our shared mission. UP University represents the diversity and the strength of Europe.
By incorporating common European values and guiding principles, UP University plays a pivotal role in shaping future generations of citizens who are not only academically proficient but also socially aware and responsible.
UP University will start to be more visible in each member institution in the future: cooperation in education and research is happening already and will grow in the coming months!
Guiding principles within UP University are:
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We strive to create equal opportunities for participation and growth for every UP member, regardless of their identity and possibilities.
Sustainability and Responsibility: UP University commits to diligently assessing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of all of its actions, ensuring that they contribute positively to current and future generations’ well-being.
Human-centred and Holistic Approach: UP University places the needs, experiences, and well-being of our students and staff at the forefront of our decision-making processes. Recognising the interconnectedness of education, research, regional collaboration, and societal impact, we promote comprehensive solutions to regional challenges.
Forward-Thinking and Entrepreneurial Mindset: Committed to continuous improvement based on data-driven insights and comprehensive 360° feedback, UP University’s forward-thinking mindset empowers students and staff. Together, we embrace a relentless drive to address challenges and create value through resilience, versatility, and continuous innovation.
UP University Members are:
• Artevelde University of Applied Sciences – Belgium
• FH Münster University of Applied Sciences – Germany
• HAN University of Applied Sciences – The Netherlands
• IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems – Austria
• Oulu University of Applied Sciences – Finland
• University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia – Spain
• Vasile Alecsandri University of Bacau – Romania
• University Del Piemonte Orientale – Italy
• DOBA Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies – Slovenia
• UNIKO University of Korçé – Albania
• KROK University – Ukraine
Development cooperation
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences demonstrates its social commitment all over the world. We do this by means of a structural cooperation with the Flemish Association for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB) in four non-European countries. VVOB focuses on improving the quality of education in developing countries, through processes of exchanging experiences, developing education expertise and awareness raising regarding the importance of education for development.
- Suriname: Every year, both staff and students travel to the capital city of Paramaribo, but also to other more remote areas, to provide training and to conduct research into education in the region.
- Zambia: Artevelde University of Applied Sciences lecturers regularly teach training courses to VVOB employees in Zambia, to motivate the local coaches to become even more involved.
- South Africa: Through the VVOB, we cooperate with the South African Council for Educators, which provides an extensive professionalisation offer for local teachers.
- Cambodia: Our projects in Cambodia are currently being rolled out. We will focus on the optimisation of education in the country, and we will devote the necessary attention to preschool and primary education.
In addition to the VVOB, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences takes the lead in VLIR-UOS-funded programmes such as South Initiatives, International Training Programmes and the Global Minds programme. VLIR-UOS receives funding from the Belgian Development Cooperation and supports partnerships between universities and university colleges, in Flanders and in the South, looking for innovative responses to global and local challenges.
By leading South Initiave projects with higher education institutions in the South, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences contributes to tackling the challenges of its global partners:
- Cambodia: Cooperation with National Institute of Education (NIE) for the sustainable implementation of student-centered approaches in their science curricula.
- South Africa: We’re collaborating with Stellenbosch University to develop a tailored protocol for implementing a community-based rehabilitation centre in the rural area of Kwazulu Natal.
- Ecuador: We work together with Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, VVOB Ecuador and Universidad Técnica del Norte to manage the quality in teacher education. Also, we have a cooperation with Universidad Casa Grande, where we focus on training childminders and teachers.
- Rwanda: Artevelde University of Applied Sciences joined forces with University of Rwanda to improve the quality of midwifery clinical education.
International experiences for lecturers and staff members
Lecturer Exchange, Job Shadowing and Benchmarking
International experiences are not only enriching for students. A trip abroad can also be very inspiring for lecturers and other staff members. They can gain lots of inspiration and insights from shadowing colleagues and comparing their way of working or teaching. Thus, staff mobility gives both us and our partner institutions the chance to improve through collaboration and comparison. In addition, it is an excellent way to strengthen the ties between international institutions.
Advanced English Course (C1)
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences attaches great importance to good language skills. All our staff members can take free language lessons via the accessible online platform Altissia. Furthermore, we offer a blended formula of English, consisting of online and face-to-face classes at different levels.
Lecturers who wish to teach in English must pass the Cambridge Advanced English exam, the C1 exam of the British Council. In this way, we ensure the best (language) education for our national and international students. 139 of our lecturers have already passed the C1 exam.
International Days
Each academic year, most of our domains of expertise organize International Days. This allows our students to benefit from international insights and experiences trough various guest lectures. For staff at Artevelde UAS, it's an opportunity to expand their international network and to discuss course content in light of different contexts and influences.
I loved meeting colleagues who are positive and enthusiastic about early childhood education. Seeing that we have a lot of similarities and being able to reflect on differences was really inspiring.
Teaching, building contacts and making comparisons has added a great deal of creativity to my job. The first time I went on a staff mobility to Gävle, I was job shadowing a Swedish professor for a week. The way he was around students ... I really liked it! It’s something I try to take with me.
Why choose Artevelde University of Applied Sciences as an international partner?
Acknowledged Quality
We are continuously making efforts to improve our educational offer and service range. These efforts were acknowledged when the committee of the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) made a five-day visit to our university of applied sciences.
According to the committee, our great strengths include:
- The social role of our university of applied sciences;
- The quality orientation and guidance tailored to students;
- Bringing all students in contact with scientific research;
- The internationalisation activities;
- The educational innovation.
International Mindset
Did you know that Artevelde University of Applied Sciences is the university of applied sciences with the largest international student mobility in Flanders? It shows. Nearly every classroom is a greenhouse for cross-cultural skills:
- Thanks to the exchange of students and teaching staff, people of various nationalities can meet and spontaneously learn from each other;
- International and intercultural competences serve as the guidelines for determining our learning objectives;
- We communicate extensively about our international projects and achievements, in order to encourage more and more students and staff to discover the world;
- Whatever we do, we always do it from an international mindset.
Tailor-made Guidance
Naturally, we do not only support our students in terms of internationalisation. Studying is a challenging undertaking, so we insist on offering both our Flemish and our exchange students the best support in all possible domains. Our experienced advisers and coaches support students in achieving their goals, but they also offer them a shoulder to lean on. We offer personal guidance in domains such as:
- Choice of study programme and orientation;
- Admission requirements;
- Student finance;
- Study methods and study progress;
- Social-legal support;
- Psychological counselling;
- Studying and entrepreneurship.
Focus on 21st-Century Skills
Global citizenship is a 21st-century skill we attach great importance to. However, the current society also faces many other challenges. We provide our students with the necessary tools so that they can actively contribute to this ‘new’ society, through the focus on:
- Research skills;
- Sustainable development;
- Digital literacy;
- Co-creation;
- Self-directed learning;
- Entrepreneurial spirit.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences fosters and applauds entrepreneurship and creativity. We help our students and staff to come up with their own ideas, to develop concepts and to be innovative through various initiatives:
- Idea Factory: Idea Factory supports students in developing their vague ideas and putting them into action. It points out important issues to starting entrepreneurs and brings them into contact with the right people.
- Student-Entrepreneur Status: Students who combine their education with their own business are granted the student-entrepreneur status. This ensures that they have enough room to combine the elaboration of their idea with schoolwork and exams.
- Artepreneur: If combining their own business and studying is a step too big, students can appeal to Artepreneur, so they can make all the preparations with an easy mind and build up a start-up capital to set up their business as soon as they graduate.
- Start to Start: Start to Start is a must for those who want to be well-prepared before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. After the course, students obtain the business management certificate recognised by the Flemish Government.
- Creative Weeks: Each department organises a creative week in which students and lecturers are challenged to give their creativity free rein, to examine current problems with a fresh look, and to take a close look at innovation in their sector.
Based in Ghent
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences’ eleven campuses are spread across the city of Ghent. With its 70,000 students, it is the largest student city in Belgium. It is impossible to imagine Ghent without its students cycling in the streets, studying in libraries and cafés, meeting with friends over drinks or a nice meal in the local or student restaurants ... Ghent has it all: comfortable living, first-class education and many leisure activities.
However, Ghent is much more than just a student city. “It is one of Europe’s greatest discoveries – small enough to feel cosy but big enough to stay vibrant”, writes Lonely Planet. And the travel guide is absolutely right. Ghent has something to offer to each and every visitor. The city boasts a unique mixture of architecture and contemporary events, museums of international repute, an impressive range of gastronomic choices, green parks and spectacularly fun nightlife. We have a rich past, and we’re dreaming of a bright future. That’s why the city aims to be climate neutral by 2050.