Port of Ostend, City of Ostend, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel Establish New Academic Campus in Ostend

The Port of Ostend, the City of Ostend, and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) are making history by joining forces to establish a permanent academic presence in Ostend. Under the name SmartPortCity Expertise Hub, the three partners are building a forward-looking campus centered on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.

This joint initiative is the natural next step following the success of the VUB Masterclass Series on Future-Proof Leadership & Strategy—a program that over the past year brought together academic insights, the business community, and policymakers at Stapelhuis Entrepot. The series generated the momentum needed to structurally develop a sustainable campus in Ostend.

The SmartPortCity Expertise Hub will become an interdisciplinary research and training center, focused on today’s social and economic challenges in port and urban development. Key themes include sustainable mobility, the intersections between the blue economy and circularity, urban renewal, and well-being. The campus will also host executive training programs, scientific colloquia, public lectures, and applied research projects, always with a strong connection to real-world practice.

The hub will house a growing team of researchers, experts, and lecturers, and aims to bridge academic knowledge with local needs. Located in the heart of Ostend, the campus is designed to be easily accessible to students, businesses, and the wider public.

Partner testimonials

Dirk Declerck, CEO & Managing Director, Port of Ostend:
​"With this campus, we’re taking the next logical step in developing the Port of Ostend as a knowledge center and sustainable economic engine. We’re once again bringing the academic world and the business sector closer together."

Charlotte Verkeyn, Chairwoman, Port of Ostend:
​"The campus will serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. By bringing companies, researchers, and students together, we are fostering innovation while also creating opportunities for local employment and talent development in and around our port."

John Crombez, Mayor of Ostend:
​"The arrival of this campus will strengthen Ostend's innovative profile. By linking academic knowledge with our city and port, we’ll create solutions that are relevant locally but can also have a broader impact. This is an investment in talent—and in the future."

Prof. Dr. Jan Danckaert, Rector, Vrije Universiteit Brussel:
​"Sustainability, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration are the core values of the new campus. Our researchers and lecturers will work together with local stakeholders to help strengthen the economic and social fabric of Ostend in a durable way."

© Port Oostende

About Port of Ostend

The Port of Ostend is a growth engine and hub of the blue economy. It focuses on four niche growth markets: blue technology, maritime connections, circular industry, and fishing & aquaculture. The development of these sectors is built on three pillars: prioritizing safety, health, and the environment, supporting innovation & development, and providing maritime services.

Contact:
​Lara Braems – PR & Communications Officer
​​ | +32 471 43 99 75 | www.portofoostende.be