Free University of Brussels
Encyclopedia
The Free University of Brussels was a university in Brussels
, Belgium
. In 1969, it split into the Université Libre de Bruxelles
and the Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel
.
The two universities continue to collaborate, and are together referred to as the Brussels Free Universities.
from the Kingdom of the Netherlands formed the Belgian State in 1830, there were three state universities in the country: Ghent
, Liege
and Leuven
. Even though Brussels had been promoted to the rank of capital, it still had no university. For this reason, in 1831 a group of leading Brussels Masonic figures in the fields of the arts, science and education set themselves the objective of creating a university for the city. They had the choice between a state university and, failing that, a private institution, since the Belgian Constitution, the most liberal in Europe, allowed for this possibility.
Finding the financial burden of the three existing universities too onerous, the Belgian government showed little enthusiasm for yet another state university. However, when in 1834 the episcopate decided to found the Catholic University of Mechlin
, things began to happen very quickly. The liberal professions and Freemasons, led by Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen
and Auguste Baron
, who were promoting the Brussels university project, stepped up their efforts, with the result that the Free University of Belgium inaugurated its first academic year on 20 November 1834. This day, called St V
is still celebrated today.
Since 1935 some courses have been taught in both French and Dutch, but it was only in 1963 that all faculties held courses in both languages. Shortly after the language dispute at the Catholic University of Leuven
, in October 1969 the French and Dutch entities of the Free University separated into two distinct universities. With the act of 28 May 1970, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
and the Université libre de Bruxelles
officially became two separate legal, administrative and scientific entities.
The school's football
team won the bronze medal at the 1900 Summer Olympics
.
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. In 1969, it split into the Université Libre de Bruxelles
Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université libre de Bruxelles is a French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium. It has 21,000 students, 29% of whom come from abroad, and an equally cosmopolitan staff.-Name:...
and the Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. It has two campuses referred to as Etterbeek and Jette.The university's name is sometimes abbreviated by "VUB" or translated to "Free University of Brussels"...
.
The two universities continue to collaborate, and are together referred to as the Brussels Free Universities.
History
When the nine provinces that broke awayBelgian Revolution
The Belgian Revolution was the conflict which led to the secession of the Southern provinces from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and established an independent Kingdom of Belgium....
from the Kingdom of the Netherlands formed the Belgian State in 1830, there were three state universities in the country: Ghent
Ghent University
Ghent University is a Dutch-speaking public university located in Ghent, Belgium. It is one of the larger Flemish universities, consisting of 32,000 students and 7,100 staff members. The current rector is Paul Van Cauwenberge.It was established in 1817 by King William I of the Netherlands...
, Liege
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
and Leuven
State University of Leuven
The State University of Leuven a liberal, neutral and non-confessional university founded in 1817 in Leuven, Belgium, which was then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was not a continuation of the former Old University of Leuven, however, a dozen of professors of the Old University...
. Even though Brussels had been promoted to the rank of capital, it still had no university. For this reason, in 1831 a group of leading Brussels Masonic figures in the fields of the arts, science and education set themselves the objective of creating a university for the city. They had the choice between a state university and, failing that, a private institution, since the Belgian Constitution, the most liberal in Europe, allowed for this possibility.
Finding the financial burden of the three existing universities too onerous, the Belgian government showed little enthusiasm for yet another state university. However, when in 1834 the episcopate decided to found the Catholic University of Mechlin
Catholic University of Mechlin
The Catholic University of Mechlin was a university that was founded in Mechelen , Belgium, on November 8, 1834 by the bishops of Belgium.The bishops aimed to create a university "to accommodate any doctrine from the Holy Apostolic See and to repudiate anything that does not flow from this august...
, things began to happen very quickly. The liberal professions and Freemasons, led by Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen
Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen
Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen was a Belgian lawyer, founder of the Université libre de Bruxelles, and liberal politician...
and Auguste Baron
Auguste Baron
Auguste Alexis Floréal Baron was a Belgian study prefect of Royal Athenaeum of Brussels and the first secretary of the Universite Libre de Bruxelles.-Career:...
, who were promoting the Brussels university project, stepped up their efforts, with the result that the Free University of Belgium inaugurated its first academic year on 20 November 1834. This day, called St V
St V
St V is the commonly used name for a holiday for university students in Brussels, Belgium, celebrating the founding of the Free University of Brussels. The day's long form differs in the two official languages, but both are a reference to Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, the founder of the university,...
is still celebrated today.
Since 1935 some courses have been taught in both French and Dutch, but it was only in 1963 that all faculties held courses in both languages. Shortly after the language dispute at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
, in October 1969 the French and Dutch entities of the Free University separated into two distinct universities. With the act of 28 May 1970, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. It has two campuses referred to as Etterbeek and Jette.The university's name is sometimes abbreviated by "VUB" or translated to "Free University of Brussels"...
and the Université libre de Bruxelles
Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université libre de Bruxelles is a French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium. It has 21,000 students, 29% of whom come from abroad, and an equally cosmopolitan staff.-Name:...
officially became two separate legal, administrative and scientific entities.
The school's football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team won the bronze medal at the 1900 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1900 Summer Olympics
At the 1900 Summer Olympics, a football tournament was contested for the first time. Only two demonstration matches were held between the three club sides, and no medals were awarded...
.