UZH Welcomes the Ambassador of Belgium

On 19 August 2026, the University of Zurich (UZH) welcomed H.E. Patrick Van Gheel, Ambassador of Belgium to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, for an exchange on the close relationship between UZH and Belgium. The discussion highlighted the breadth of existing collaborations and explored opportunities to further strengthen partnerships between UZH and Belgian universities and researchers.

Drawing on the expertise of the participating researchers and representatives, the discussion touched on areas including biomedical research, One Health, legal education and European university alliances, illustrating the diversity of academic ties. These exchanges span institutions such as KU Leuven, the Université libre de Bruxelles, UCLouvain, Ghent University and the University of Antwerp, and have resulted in more than 3000 co-authored scientific publications over the past five years.

Researchers in Belgium and Switzerland work closely together across a range of disciplines, while students benefit from longstanding exchange programmes and joint educational initiatives. UZH also maintains strong ties to KU Leuven through a strategic partnership, as well as shared membership in the League of European Research Universities (LERU), Una Europa and Universitas 21 (U21).

The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of strategic partnerships, academic networks and student mobility in creating new opportunities for collaboration in research, teaching and innovation. Participants expressed their interest in expanding and deepening academic cooperation to foster new connections between researchers and students.

A key pillar of UZH's collaboration with Belgium is its strategic partnership with KU Leuven. Formalized in 2023, the partnership builds on a longstanding track record of research collaboration and student exchange and aims to further strengthen cooperation in research, education, innovation and mobility. The two universities are jointly involved in several large-scale European research projects, and the UZH Global Funding Scheme supports new joint initiatives between researchers at both universities.

The strategic partnership with KU Leuven reflects UZH's commitment to building lasting academic relationships. Looking ahead, this partnership and ongoing academic collaborations will support the extension of the international network of UZH while strengthening its visibility, impact, and international engagement, contributing to progress across the strategic priority areas of the Global Strategy 2030.