Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), led by Rector Jan Danckaert, promotes diversity by allowing religious symbols but maintains neutrality by not providing prayer spaces and requiring full curriculum completion for all students.
At Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the school values diversity and inclusion, allowing students to express their religious beliefs openly. This means students can wear religious symbols like headscarves or crosses. The university supports personal freedom and respects everyone’s right to practice their religion. These policies show VUB’s commitment to creating an environment that welcomes diversity and encourages individual expression, helping students from different backgrounds to live together peacefully.
How does VUB in Brussels balance diversity and neutrality in faith?
VUB is based on liberal-humanist values and takes a neutral approach in its operations. While students can express their faith, the university doesn’t offer religious facilities like prayer rooms or chapels on campus. This aligns with VUB’s goal of staying neutral and promoting academic freedom, meaning no specific religion or belief is favored. By doing this, VUB aims to respect personal beliefs while keeping the campus free from religious influence.
VUB values diversity but believes that religion should remain a private matter. Each year, students request to use campus spaces for prayer, but the university consistently denies these requests. Some students then take it upon themselves to use rooms without permission for prayer or meditation. The university reminds them that these spaces are not meant for religious activities, explaining that religion should be kept out of campus life. After discussions, most students understand this viewpoint.
According to Rector Jan Danckaert at VUB, students can’t skip parts of their courses because of their religion, everyone has to complete the full curriculum. The university wants all students to learn together, even if it sometimes goes against their personal beliefs. They also have a dress code, especially in healthcare, where students need to keep their forearms uncovered for hygiene. He notes that while people often stick to their own groups today, the campus should bring everyone together. It’s great to see more young people from different backgrounds in higher education, and VUB supports this diversity.
