News

The Council of French-speaking Rectors of Belgium (CRef) expressed, in a statement published on Monday, April 20, its deep concern over violations of academic freedom in Serbia and reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental principles that underpin universities.

Five years of research, 30 international researchers, and a remarkable diversity of projects: led by UMONS and UNamur, the Come to Wallonia (C2W) programme, funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, was symbolically concluded on 15 April (with several postdoctoral researchers remaining at both universities for a further six months) at the prestigious Mundaneum in Mons. The closing event highlighted high-potential scientific outcomes, while also revealing the programme’s impact on career trajectories and collaborative dynamics.

UMONS celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Refugee Student Reception Programme (PAER), an initiative that, over the past decade, has enabled nearly 50 students to resume their university studies.

UMONS recently welcomed a delegation from the University of Vaasa (Finland) as part of the European project Cleantech4Wallonia & Vaasa (C4W). The visit highlighted several research projects carried out at UMONS in the field of clean technologies. At the heart of the discussions were the energy transition, sustainable materials and entrepreneurial innovation—key themes in addressing today’s climate and industrial challenges.

On 9 January 2026, UMONS welcomed the Ambassador of Kazakhstan for an official visit dedicated to strengthening existing academic ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. Received by the university authorities and the services responsible for international relations, the diplomat met with several UMONS representatives to consolidate partnerships in education, student mobility and research.

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the revised Magna Charta Universitatum, UMONS reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy during the international event held in London from 11 to 13 November.

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.