# Université libre de Bruxelles

> French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium (since 1970)

**Wikidata**: [Q574606](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q574606)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Université_libre_de_Bruxelles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/universite-libre-de-bruxelles

## Summary
Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is a French-speaking public research university located in Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 1969, it is one of the country's largest universities, known for its strong emphasis on scientific research, multiculturalism, and secular values.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: October 1, 1969, as a French-speaking institution following the split of the original Free University of Brussels.
- **Language**: Primarily French, with some programs in English.
- **Student Population**: Approximately 31,606 students as of 2020.
- **Rankings**: Ranked 189th globally in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.
- **Campuses**: Multiple campuses, including Solbosch, Érasme, La Plaine, and Parentville-Charleroi.
- **Affiliations**: Member of the European University Association, Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, and ORCID, Inc.
- **Motto**: *Scientia Vincere Tenebras* ("Science Conquers Darkness").
- **Notable Alumni/Faculty**: Includes computer scientists like Marco Dorigo and Hugues Bersini, as well as philosopher Michel Bauwens.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Université libre de Bruxelles founded?
A: ULB was officially established on October 1, 1969, following the linguistic split of the original Free University of Brussels.

### Q: What language is used at ULB?
A: The primary language of instruction is French, though some programs are offered in English.

### Q: How is ULB ranked globally?
A: In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, ULB was ranked 189th, reflecting its strong academic and research reputation.

### Q: Where are ULB's campuses located?
A: ULB has multiple campuses in Brussels (Solbosch, Érasme, La Plaine) and one in Charleroi (Parentville).

### Q: What is ULB's motto?
A: The university's motto is *Scientia Vincere Tenebras*, which translates to "Science Conquers Darkness."

## Why It Matters
Université libre de Bruxelles plays a pivotal role in higher education and research in Belgium and Europe. As a leading French-speaking university, it fosters multiculturalism, scientific innovation, and secular values. ULB is a hub for cutting-edge research in fields like computer science, medicine, and social sciences, contributing to global knowledge and policy. Its partnerships with institutions like the European University Association and Agence universitaire de la Francophonie amplify its influence in international academia. Additionally, ULB's commitment to accessibility and secularism makes it a model for inclusive education in a diverse society.

## Notable For
- **Research Excellence**: Home to renowned researchers in computer science, AI, and mathematics, including Marco Dorigo (pioneer in swarm intelligence) and Bob Coecke (quantum computing).
- **Multicultural Environment**: Attracts students and faculty from around the world, with strong ties to Francophone and European academic networks.
- **Historical Significance**: Originated from the 1834 Free University of Brussels, a key institution in Belgium's educational history.
- **Innovative Programs**: Offers interdisciplinary programs, including collaborations with institutions like the Brussels Studies Institute.
- **Public Engagement**: Actively participates in open science initiatives (e.g., Open GLAM) and public policy discussions.

## Body
### History and Founding
- ULB traces its roots to the **Free University of Brussels**, founded in 1834 by lawyer Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen.
- The university split linguistically in **1969**, with ULB becoming the French-speaking institution and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) the Dutch-speaking counterpart.
- The split was formalized on **May 28, 1970**, though ULB's official inception date is **October 1, 1969**.

### Academic Structure
- **Faculties**: ULB comprises multiple faculties, including Sciences, Medicine, Law, and the **École polytechnique de Bruxelles** (engineering).
- **Research Institutes**: Hosts the **Brussels Studies Institute** (founded 2010) and the **Interuniversity Institute for High Energies**.
- **Student Body**: ~31,606 students (2020), with a significant international presence.

### Research and Innovation
- **Computer Science**: ULB is a leader in AI and computational research, with affiliates like **Hugo de Garis** (AI ethics) and **Stefan Langerman** (computational geometry).
- **Partnerships**: Collaborates with the **University of Montreal** and **University of Geneva** as part of the *G3 de la Francophonie*.
- **Open Science**: Participates in initiatives like **Open GLAM** and **ORCID**, promoting transparent research practices.

### Campuses and Facilities
- **Solbosch**: Main campus in Ixelles, housing humanities and social sciences.
- **Érasme**: Located in Anderlecht, focused on medicine and health sciences.
- **La Plaine**: Science and engineering campus.
- **Parentville-Charleroi**: Satellite campus for applied sciences.

### Rankings and Recognition
- **QS Rankings**: Consistently ranked in the top 250 globally, with a peak of 168th in 2014.
- **Research Output**: Highly cited in fields like mathematics, physics, and computer science.

### Cultural Impact
- **Saint Verhaegen**: Annual celebration honoring the university's founder, featuring student parades.
- **Secular Tradition**: ULB upholds a strong commitment to secularism (*laïcité*), influencing Belgian education policy.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Open Funder Registry
2. Directory of Open Access Journals
3. Global LEI Index
4. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/université-libre-de-bruxelles?rid=683034821431-24)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. [Source](http://www.elixir-europe.org/about-us/who-we-are/nodes/belgium)
8. [Source](https://eua.eu/about/member-directory.html)
9. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231020113811/https://orcid.org/members)
10. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20221123144401/https://www.auf.org/les_membres/nos-membres/)
11. [Source](https://glamlabs.io/list-members/)
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. MusicBrainz
14. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 17 February 2022](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20220217)
15. [Source](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPS-KJptUJ-o8SXtg00llcxq0IKJu8eO6Ege_GrLaNc)
16. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 27 June 2023](https://archive.org/details/open-glam-survey-backup-20230627)
17. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 16 May 2024](https://archive.org/details/open-glam-survey-backup-20240516)
18. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023)
19. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022)
20. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024)
21. [Source](https://www.qschina.cn/en/universities/universite-libre-de-bruxelles)
22. Crossroad Bank of Enterprises
23. Decree defining the landscape of higher education and the academic organization of studies
24. Google Knowledge Graph
25. [Source](https://www.jura.fu-berlin.de/international/studierendenaustausch/outgoings/partnerunis/bruessel/guide.pdf)
26. [Source](http://www.cref.be/annuaires/2020/tab_1-4-2.pdf)
27. GRID Release 2015-12-14
28. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
29. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=164.15.0.0+-+164.15.255.255&type=inetnum)
30. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=2001:6a8:11a0::/48&type=inet6num)
31. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
32. HAL
33. [Source](https://ror.org/01r9htc13)
34. YouTube API