News

In a world marked by political instability and the questioning of institutions, academic freedom is becoming a crucial issue. The rectors of Belgium's ten universities have launched a solemn appeal to defend academic freedom, emphasizing its fundamental role in the preservation of democracy, the quality of teaching and scientific progress. The text, jointly signed by the Council of Rectors (CRef) and the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), published on July 7, 2025, calls for collective awareness and mobilization to ensure that universities fulfil their essential mission: to think freely, debate openly and innovate without hindrance.

On June 17, 2025, in Maruggio (Apulia, Italy), UMONS took part in the official inauguration of the Apulian SpaceLab, a cutting-edge research center dedicated to aerospace medicine. As a key scientific partner in the project alongside four other universities, UMONS—represented by its Rector, Professor Philippe Dubois—has reinforced its commitment to cutting-edge international research in support of health and space exploration.

The 2025 edition of the Université des Enfants à Madagascar (UDEMA) has just taken place in Tuléar. Between conferences, screenings and scientific activities, nearly 300 people, including over 200 children, were introduced to science in a fun and participative way. And the adventure is just beginning for this project, which aims to be ambitious and sustainable in Madagascar.

The higher representatives of the member universities of the EUNICE Alliance have approved the composition of the expert panel that will advise the European University consortium on the achievement of its objectives until 2027.

On Friday 21st March, UMONS and property developer ION officially opened the “Cité de la Gare”, a student hall of residence on Place Léopold, at the foot of Mons’ new train station. The project is designed to help meet the growing demand for student accommodation in a rapidly expanding university town. Offering 86 modern en-suite rooms and a range of communal areas, the residence also focuses on energy efficiency. The first students are expected to move into this brand-new residence for the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

March 8 marks International Women's Rights Day, formalized by the UN in 1977. This day is a reminder of the persistent inequalities between the sexes. To mark the occasion, the Eunice alliance, including UMONS, has launched an awareness-raising campaign. Through the Wall of Femme videos, women with inspiring personal and/or professional journeys were highlighted.

The Rectors' Council of French-speaking universities in Belgium (CRef) fully supports the march for science on 7th March, an initiative led by the group “Stand Up for Science”.

As part of the Interreg Biocontrol 4.0 project, several Walloon, French and Flemish universities have joined forces to find reliable alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Among the various projects is the Trans-Pest project, through which the UMONS laboratory will test the effect of climate change on agricultural pests such as aphids and wireworms, and on their natural enemies such as ladybugs and lacewings. The aim is to offer farmers innovative biological control solutions to reduce pesticide use.

The General Assembly of EUNICE European University gathers in Belgium rectors, presidents, representatives of educational offerings, and students from the partner universities to analyze the progress of the creation of European joint degrees.

UMONS is preparing to renew the HRS4R label, which is essential for the attractiveness and European funding of research, by adhering to principles of quality and scientific integrity.