Avis sur Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen (UIA)

Antwerp has about 40.000 students in higher education institutions in all fields of study. University education started in 1965 (RUCA, UFSIA) and UIA was founded in 1971. Creating a university in Antwerp was an important option of government policy in the sixties. New institutions, such as UIA, should promote the democratisation of higher education, avoid overcrowding of existing faculties, and promote educational innovations in academic education. In 1999/2000 more than 9.500 students are enrolled at the University of Antwerp, which is a confederate university spread over three campuses. The three campuses are RUCA (Universitair Centrum Antwerpen), UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius Antwerpen) and UIA (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen). UFSIA is situated in the historic city centre. The campuses of RUCA and UIA and the University Hospital (UZA) are located in the green surroundings south of the city. Both campuses are connected to the city centre by frequent public transportation. The University of Antwerp and the other institutes of higher education ("Hogescholen") of the province of Antwerp have developed a regional network with a close collaboration on internationalisation. An information brochure (Welcome to the Province of Antwerp) for visiting staff and exchange students is published yearly, containing general yet extensive information on the location and history of the city, the higher education system in Flanders, culture and leisure, transport and travel, health and insurance matters. A free copy of this brochure can be obtained from the International Relations Office.