Howest
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| Howest | |
|---|---|
| Name | Howest |
| Established | 1996 (as merged university college) |
| Type | University of Applied Sciences |
| City | Kortrijk |
| Country | Belgium |
| Campus | Kortrijk, Bruges, Ostend, Roeselare, Ghent |
| Students | ~11,000 |
Howest
Howest is a Belgian university college located primarily in Kortrijk, with campuses in Bruges, Ostend, Roeselare, and Ghent, offering professionally oriented undergraduate and graduate programs. The institution is known for its applied research centers, technology-focused curricula, and industry collaborations with companies such as AB InBev, Proximus, Delhaize, Barco, and Bekaert. Howest maintains international partnerships with universities and networks including Erasmus Programme, EUNIS, CEMS, Erasmus Mundus, and EIT Digital.
History
Howest traces its roots to regional vocational schools and teacher training colleges that merged during the late 20th century, influenced by Belgian higher education reforms and regional development policies associated with Flemish Parliament decisions and initiatives from the European Commission. The institution evolved through mergers and restructurings similar to transformations seen at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Ghent University affiliates, responding to labor market demands shaped by companies like Agfa-Gevaert, BASF, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. Over time, the college expanded program offerings in collaboration with bodies such as Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship and accreditation frameworks under NVAO.
Organization and Campuses
Howest is organized into multiple departments and schools across campuses in Kortrijk, Bruges, Ostend, Roeselare, and Ghent, aligning with municipal development strategies of Kortrijk City Council, City of Bruges, Ostend City Council, Roeselare City Council, and Ghent City Council. Administrative governance interacts with regional authorities including the Flemish Government and sector partners such as Agoria, Sirris, and Voka. Campus facilities host labs and incubators similar to those at imec, VIB, and Flanders Make, while student services coordinate with networks like Erasmus Student Network and organizations such as Young Enterprise.
Academic Programs
Howest offers bachelor and postgraduate programs in fields including Digital Arts and Entertainment, Applied Computer Science, Cyber Security, Electronics-ICT, Business Management, Nursing, and Industrial Design, comparable to programs at Arteveldehogeschool, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, VIVES, and UCLL. Degree tracks emphasize practical skills with curriculum inputs from industry partners like Microsoft, IBM, Intel, Nvidia, and SAP. International offerings and exchange arrangements connect students with institutions participating in the Erasmus Programme, Erasmus Mundus, and collaborative projects with KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Ghent University.
Research and Innovation
Howest’s applied research centers and expertise groups engage in projects funded by agencies and consortia such as Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, Interreg, Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and private partners including Proximus, Barco, and Bekaert. Research themes intersect with technology ecosystems like imec, Flanders Make, VIB, Sirris, and Agoria, and address areas such as artificial intelligence with collaborators including Microsoft Research and IBM Research. Projects have linked to European initiatives such as EIT Digital and piloted innovations with firms like Soudal, Florence Nightingale Foundation (in nursing contexts), and Telenet.
Student Life and Services
Student associations, cultural societies, and sports clubs operate alongside career services, housing offices, and international student support, connecting with networks like Erasmus Student Network, AIESEC, Rotaract, and European Youth Forum. Campus life features events coordinated with municipal festivals such as Gentse Feesten, Bruges Triennial, and local industry job fairs involving employers including Randstad, Adecco, and Deloitte. Health and counseling services reference standards and partnerships from organizations like Federation of Young European Greens initiatives and regional healthcare providers including AZ Groeninge and AZ Sint-Jan.
Partnerships and Industry Collaboration
Howest maintains collaborations with multinational corporations, SMEs, and research institutes including Barco, Proximus, AB InBev, Bekaert, imec, Sirris, and Flanders Make, and participates in consortia funded by Horizon Europe and Interreg. The institution’s cooperative education and internship pipelines align with employers in the tech and creative sectors such as Microsoft, IBM, Nvidia, Blue Giraffe, and gaming studios that have ties with EASports-adjacent companies and media firms. International academic partnerships include linkages with universities active in the Erasmus Programme, CEMS network, and bilateral agreements with institutions across United States, China, India, Canada, and Brazil.