Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – KU Leuven celebrates its 600th anniversary in 2025 with events like the “1425 Masterfully Polyphonic” concert and a Homecoming weekend for alumni. Professor Tine Baelmans is the first candidate for rector, aiming for diversity and societal engagement.
KU Leuven is celebrating its 600th birthday in 2025. The celebrations started with a weekend on February 15-16 2025. According to officials, people could tour research labs and old buildings at campuses like Gasthuisberg and Arenberg. A special concert called “1425 Masterfully Polyphonic” will be performed by the Sollazzo Ensemble. This concert will bring 15th-century Leuven music to life.
They mentioned that there will also be a Homecoming weekend from February 14-16 for international alumni. The Alumni Carillon Cantus event is scheduled for May 15, 2025. Officials stated that these activities honour KU Leuven’s heritage while also strengthening links with alumni, students, and faculty.
Is Tine Baelmans poised to become KU Leuven’s first female rector?
KU Leuven is getting ready for a big change in leadership. Luc Sels, the current rector, is finishing his last term. In May 2025, the university will hold an election for a new rector. Professor Tine Baelmans is the first candidate. If she wins, she will be the first woman rector. Baelmans has a lot of experience and has been a Vice-Rector. She says KU Leuven faces big challenges like global issues and money problems in education.
Baelmans believes strong leadership is important to handle these challenges. The election will include votes from staff, researchers, and students. She mentioned that this moment could change the future of KU Leuven and improve gender representation.
“We are currently in a complex situation with major external and internal challenges,” Baelmans explains.
Professor Tine Baelmans has a vision for KU Leuven. She wants the university to help society, not just focus on academics. Her campaign is about being a school that does well and also helps others. Baelmans believes the university should use its knowledge to meet the needs of society.
Baelmans wants KU Leuven to be more involved in solving today’s problems. While the university has made some progress, she aims to go further. She mentioned that her leadership will focus on teamwork and using the university’s strengths to make a real difference.
“I want to make KU Leuven a committed university.”
Tine Baelmans
Baelmans is running for rector again in 2025. This is not her first try. She ran in 2013 but lost to Rik Torfs. She feels she has grown a lot since then. Baelmans calls herself “older and wiser.” She has gained experience in making important decisions at the university.
She mentioned that she has also solved tough problems, which helps her understand KU Leuven better. Baelmans believes this makes her a stronger candidate now. She is ready to lead the university into the future with her new ideas and skills.
“As a woman, I want to give the university the image it has deserved for years.”
Baelmans
Professor Tine Baelmans believes having a woman as a rector is a strong symbol. Baelmans wants the university to show it is diverse and welcoming. She thinks KU Leuven should reflect all the people it serves, including students and staff. For her, diversity and inclusion are key to the university’s future. She hopes to inspire a community where leaders represent everyone.
“I think that as a woman you can give a university a certain image that it has deserved for years, in the sense that the university must become a diverse, inclusive institution for a very diverse audience,” Baelmans says.
Baelmans is currently the only official candidate for rector at KU Leuven. Other candidates can still apply until April 2, 2025. The voting will take place over several weeks in May 2025. The first round of voting is on May 13, 2025.
If no one gets enough votes, a second round will happen on May 20, 2025. A third round will be on May 27, 2025, if needed. The election includes votes from staff, researchers, and students.
