News

As part of ISALA NOVA, an action research project led by UMONS and UNamur to advance gender equality in scientific and academic careers, Laurence Ris, future First Vice-Rector of UMONS, discusses the challenges surrounding equality, diversity and inclusion within the University. She shares her priorities for the coming years and explains the role that initiatives of this kind can play in shaping institutional practices and culture. Interview.

The rectors of Belgian universities, represented by CRef and VLIR, note with dismay the continued failure to reach a decision that would allow their universities to welcome Gazan students and researchers who have been selected to receive study or research scholarships following particularly rigorous selection procedures.

From 29 June to 10 July 2026, 18 students from the universities of the EUNICE European University Alliance took part in the Green Makers Camp, a volunteering programme dedicated to eco-renovation, biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Jointly organised by UMONS and Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (UPHF), the programme offered participants an international experience combining hands-on learning, meaningful community engagement and cultural discovery.

The University of Mons (UMONS) and Abdelmalek Essaâdi University (UAE) officially signed a framework cooperation agreement on July 6, 2026 in Tetouan, with the aim of strengthening their collaboration in education, research, innovation, and academic mobility. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Morocco, underscoring the importance attached to this partnership between the two institutions.

UMONS recently welcomed a delegation from the University of Vaasa and the City of Vaasa (Finland) for a day of discussions focused on research, innovation and cleantech. The visit highlighted several initiatives developed in Wallonia to foster collaboration between universities, businesses and regional development stakeholders, within the framework of European partnerships such as Cleantech4Wallonia & Vaasa (C4W).

UMONS confirms the excellence of its research in chemistry and materials science through the 2026 international rankings published by Research.com. Several UMONS researchers are listed among the most influential scientists in Belgium in their respective disciplines, while the institution itself stands out in the national rankings dedicated to chemistry and materials science.

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.