VUB organises interactive info sessions as an alternative to the open days
The impact of the coronavirus can be felt all over the country. This also rings true for students who are on the verge of graduating high school. Under normal circumstances, they would have the possibility to get acquainted with higher education and the numerous programmes during an open day, but because of the social distancing measures, universities and colleges are forced to turn a new leaf. To give students the opportunity to ask their burning questions to professors and academics, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is hosting interactive info sessions that guide them through their choice of study. Students can register online at www.vub.be/en/open-days.
During the open days on the campuses in Etterbeek and Jette, students can normally visit the campuses and student houses, follow informative sessions and chitchat with professors and students about the programmes and student life at VUB. On April 26, the university would normally welcome a new batch of prospective students to her home bases in Brussels, but the coronavirus had other plans.
The open day will not go on as planned, but as an alternative, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel will host interactive info sessions that can help students make sense of the different programmes and student services.
“We are well aware that this time period in students’ educational journey is accompanied by a wide array of doubts and questions. With these online sessions, students can count on some much needed guidance and clarity while staying at home, says Heleen van Schooneveld, head of student recruitment.
At a time of their choice
The online info sessions will take place using the popular Microsoft Teams software, which has been widely used in the past couple of weeks for virtual team meetings and live events. On www.vub.be/en/open-days, students can browse through an overview of the programmes per faculty and the participating student services. On this online platform, students can view when the info sessions are organised and book a timeslot that suits them well. Booking these interactive sessions will be possible from now on and the first sessions will take place in the last week of April.
Rector Caroline Pauwels answers students’ questions
In the long list of session hosts, one name particularly stands out: VUB rector Caroline Pauwels. On Thursday May 14 she will answer student questions with respect to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and studying in the capital of Belgium during a live session from 12h45 till 13h45. “The coronavirus hinders students while they try to make the best possible choice of study, but it is energising to see what you can achieve with a healthy dose of inventiveness in these digital times. With my sessions I hope to share the unique DNA of our university and the beauty of Brussels with prospective students”, says rector Caroline Pauwels.
