Brochure (pdf) - KU Leuven

13
OUR MOTIVATION
“The rationale for participating in university development
cooperation as an academic is simple: universities
emanate the belief that development originates in
research: research for development – R4D – is the
central paradigm of any university. This holds for both
the North and the South. Hence, as an academic,
one must focus one’s research where a real difference
can be made. This attitude is transferred every day
to students, fostering the necessary awareness and
social responsibility which should be expected from
future leaders in a globalised world.”
Roel Merckx, Professor at the Faculty of Bioscience
Engineering, KU Leuven
“Our professional Bachelor’s programmes combine
competence-based education and practice-oriented
research. They focus on finding innovative solutions
for society’s concrete challenges – and this includes
challenges faced by developing countries.
Participation in development projects adds to the
quality and relevance of our educational programmes:
it challenges teachers and students to apply their
professional knowledge and skills in new environments,
to take up their responsibility as citizens of a global
world, and to broaden their personal and professional
horizons. Innovative thinking, flexibility and responsibility
are all indispensable competences for a professional
in today’s world.”
Piet De Leersnyder, President of the Professional Higher
Education Committee of the KU Leuven Association