Education matters – General information
Belgium has some of the oldest and the most renowned Universities of Europe, in particular the Katholic University of Leuven (KUL), University of Ghent, Université Catholique de Louvain, Universitie Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels (VUB), University of Antwerp, University of Liège etc.
In Luxembourg, the Indian students are mostly centred in the University of Luxembourg.
Number of Indian students: Belgium: 970* (Approx) / Luxembourg: 125* (Approx)
[*Based on inputs received from Consular/Diaspora Wing and student associations in
Belgium and Luxembourg]
2. About 400-500 Indian students are registered in KUL in each academic year, making them the second largest student community from a non-European country after China. Most of these students pursue Post Graduate course in the fields of engineering, medicine and economics.
3. Another prominent technological institute under Faculty of Engineering Technology KU Leuven – is the Group T, Leuven. Group T has a history of more than 10 years of collaboration with Indian Universities. Among international students of 62 different nationalities, Indian students are the second largest after Chinese students. Group T at KU Leuven is the only Engineering Faculty in Belgium offering Bachelor of Engineering program entirely in English. It has recently signed a 2+2 agreement between Vellore Institute of Technology, India in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology.
4. KUL also has the India House Leuven as an India-focussed platform for stimulating civic, cultural and economic ties between India and the city of Leuven in particular and the region of Flanders in general (the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium). The India House Leuven was conceived by the city authorities of Leuven along with the University of Leuven in view of the fact that Leuven has a fairly large number of Indian students, researchers and professionals who study and work in this university. The Embassy of India in Brussels has been actively supporting the India House project that was inaugurated by former DG, ICCR in November 2012. ICCR has presented a bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore that was inaugurated on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Tagore on May 7, 2015.
5. The renowned University of Ghent has a Dept of Indology and Sanskrit. About 200 Indian students are registered with the University of Ghent; most of them in engineering, bio-engineering and basic sciences. During the visit of President of India to Belgium in October 2013, the University of Ghent had signed three MoUs on Academic Cooperation with the Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi and the University of Hyderabad. The University of Ghent has also constituted an “India Platform” comprising of intellectuals, researchers and businessmen that work towards disseminating information relating to India to the local Belgian populace.
6. A number of Indian students are registered with the University Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels mostly in Management related studies. ULB signed an MoU on Academic Cooperation with the University of Delhi during the visit of President of India to Belgium in October 2013. The University is also cooperating with the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi.
7. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations grants one scholarship to Belgium nationals annually for pursuing studies in India. The scholarship scheme is generally announced in December of a calendar year. Further, following ICCR Scholarship Schemes are also available under the following categories:
Atal Bihari Vajpyee General Scholarship Scheme (A1201)
Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme (A1209)
Further relevant information can be found at http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
For any queries related to ICCR sponsored scholarships concerning stipend, HRAs, medical problems etc. students can mail at studenthelpline.iccr@gov.in. This helpline is exclusively meant for students who wish to apply under various ICCR scholarship schemes, live students and alumni.
