Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Ghent University rector election has turned into an official rivalry between Rik Van de Walle and Petra De Sutter. Time ran out today for all other candidates to participate in the selection.
The rector election contest at Ghent University features a two-way race between Rik Van de Walle, who currently holds the position, and Petra De Sutter, who previously served as Green minister.
The additional candidate deadline passed, which solidified the competition between Rik Van de Walle and Petra De Sutter.
With a background at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Van de Walle stands for re-election, whereas De Sutter from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences enters her first run for office. Professors will lead in determining the outcome through their first vote, which will occur at the end of April.
Van de Walle has chosen Ilse Derluyn (Psychology and Educational Sciences) for the vice-rector position because he wants to preserve current policies and insert new priorities.
De Sutter pairs with Herwig Reynaert (Political and Social Sciences) as her candidate for vice-rector to represent innovative approaches in university management. The candidates face growing pressure to establish their official positions regarding sensitive matters, including transgressive behaviour policies and involvement in Israeli institutions. The matters addressed extend into society with increased significance throughout the student election.
What is the historical context of Rector elections at Ghent University?
Ghent University first opened its doors in 1817 and currently operates as one of Belgium’s largest research institutions and elite learning institutions, attracting 50,000 students supported by its 15,000 staff members. The voting power distribution for Rector elections at Ghent University is organised into four categories: professors (55%), assistant academic staff (25%), administrative staff (15%), and students (5%). Since the beginning of voting, both professors have chosen one candidate who secured a majority approval rate exceeding 80% during each contest.
Since 2013, rectors have occupied office terms of four years, while Rik Van de Walle (2017–present) and his predecessor Paul Van Cauwenberge (2001–2013) are the only ones to maintain consecutive terms in office. Under a renewed term in office, Van de Walle became the first Rector with three consecutive terms since 1990. Women have been extremely scarce in the rectorship at this university because only two females have ever served in this position throughout its 207-year history.
Elections throughout the past years have shown significant growth in voter turnout, moving from 62% in 2013 to 74% in 2017 and reaching 81% in 2021. The 2024 election becomes historic because a former federal minister (Petra De Sutter) is entering the race for prime minister.
Previous elections centred on research funding supporting international partnerships and diversity on campus, while the present election considers ties with Israeli academic organisations and policies for student conduct discipline.
Ghent University’s tactical course for the following four years depends on the election results as these decisions will determine their QS World University Rankings rank (currently 134th) and their yearly budget, which stands at €1.2 billion.
