Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – VUB will open a new campus in Ostend after summer 2025, focusing on maritime research, innovation, and professional training, with support from Mayor John Crombez and local partners.
As VRT News reported, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is launching a new campus in Ostend after the summer break. This campus will be situated in the former Economic House, adjacent to the Kapellebrug. It’s a central spot near the sea and port. Unlike other campuses, this one won’t offer standard bachelor’s programs. Instead, it will concentrate on post-academic education and research.
The campus will provide masterclasses, short courses, and training for professionals and graduates. Officials mentioned that these programs will cover areas important to the maritime economy. This includes coastal engineering, marine environmental policy, offshore renewable energy, and sustainable port operations.
How will VUB’s new Ostend campus boost maritime innovation?
The new VUB campus in Ostend will also be a research centre. It will focus on topics related to the sea, like the port, ships, fishing, and ocean life. The university plans to work with local groups such as the Flemish Institute for the Sea and the Port of Ostend.
They’ll study things like climate change, shipping, fishing, and blue energy. They mentioned that the goal is to connect research with real-world solutions. This will help the region and train experts for the future of the sea.
The mayor of Ostend, John Crombez, says it’s a win-win for everyone. The campus is in a good spot, close to the fishing school and the naval campus. He mentioned that researchers can easily talk to people who work in the maritime industry. They can learn about real problems and find quick solutions. The maritime sector will get new ideas, information, and innovations to help them with their daily work and long-term plans.
Mayor Crombez highlights a project at the Ostend fish market as a good example of this collaboration. They’re using artificial intelligence (AI) to help sort fish. Sorting fish now takes a lot of work and affects the quality and value of the catch.
The AI project wants to make this process better by using technology to identify different types and sizes of fish accurately. The mayor mentioned that this could make things more efficient, reduce manual labour, and improve how they track and control the quality of fish. The mayor thinks this kind of research will help local industries become more modern and competitive.
