Word from the Dean

The Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, located in the cosmopolitan heart of Belgium and Europe, has been an international school from its very inception. Our international reach and recognition are tightly linked with our international network of stakeholders, whose members we consider to be true partners in co-creation. Our outstanding and internationally accredited research and education programmes are made possible by, and intended for, these partners. Internationalisation is at the core of the vision and mission of both our School and the university to which we belong, the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

As a School and University, we are committed to creating societal value and to contribute to global prosperity. Prosperity for all: solidarity, equity, and freedom in an open, global and, diverse society. These are our values, and we cannot achieve our mission without a clear vision on internationalisation.

International stakeholders refer to our students, administrative staff, and professors who are from outside Belgium. Our objective is to increase the internationalisation rate of these stakeholders, which is already relatively high when compared to global standards. More than 20% of our students are from abroad, but this ratio is much higher for the MBAs, PhD programmes, and the Master in Microfinance, where at least 60% of students come from abroad. In addition, 35% of the faculty and 50% of our administrative staff are from abroad. Having international and multicultural stakeholders is a necessary condition for an institution that aims to reach international quality standards.

International recognition involves securing quality standard accreditations (the School has had EQUIS and AMBA accreditations for many years, and is in the process of obtaining AACSB accreditation). As an active Dean in these international networks, I can see each day that internationalisation is a necessary condition for quality maintenance and improvement.

International reach is our highest priority goal in terms of strategic international positioning and operations. All our students in the Master in Business and Management are required to have an international exchange experience of at least one semester. This is why we send about 350 students abroad each year, and welcome nearly 250 students from all over the world. SBS-EM has more than 140 partners across the globe, more than 60% of which are EQUIS and/or AACSB accredited, and nearly 50% of which are based in non-European countries. Students can new even spend one year abroad, either through the QTEM network – created by the School- or through our Double Degree Diplomas. The possibilities for international exchange can be summarised as follows:
  • more than 140 partners worldwide, 48% of which are outside Europe, 65% with EQUIS and/or AACSB accreditation;
  • three Double Degree programmes, with Politecnico di Milano, LUISS Guido Carli and University of Antwerp;
  • QTEM Master Network, through which students can complete either two exchange periods or one exchange period and one long-term internship.

Our International Relations Office is particularly efficient in welcoming hundreds of students each year and sending our students abroad. Tamara Schuller heads the Office and is in charge of our outgoing students for international exchange and for the double degrees, as well as of our intensive tailor-made seminars. Anne Georges welcomes all our incoming students, for regular exchanges and double degrees.

So again, welcome to Solvay, enjoy your learning experience with us, and help us learn from your experience! Connect, share, exchange, and co-create with us and our world!
 

Prof. Bruno van Pottelsberghe
Dean of the Solvay Brussels School - ULB
Updated on September 20, 2022