Science

Has Belgium now got larger in 2018 … or slightly smaller?

18 January 2019

160km² or 16,000 hectares. This is how much Belgium's total area has officially grown by at the end of 2018. This was not due to adding any further territory.

Hailstones on my doorstep, bone-dry two streets ahead

18 January 2019

When our days out are rained off despite predictions of sunshine, you're guaranteed to hear a bit of grumbling.

Belgian climate scientists research the snow in Antarctica

11 January 2019

Last December, a team of glaciologists and climate scientists of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the University of Louvain (UCLouvain) and the University of Colorado conducted fieldwork for t

Reopening of the Royal Museum for Central Africa - AfricaMuseum

21 December 2018

It was previously called the Royal Museum for Central Africa.

Female gorilla born in Antwerp ZOO

19 December 2018

At the end of November, Antwerp Zoo issued some wonderful news: the female gorilla Mayani had given birth. The baby's sex has now also been confirmed, but we are still waiting for the name.

Science is in our DNA

A true Belgian tradition, scientific and technical research has always been promoted throughout the country, with many researchers involved in a wide range of international scientific programmes. Medicine, chemistry, statistics and astronomy can be counted among Belgium's strengths, fields where Belgian researchers have received prestigious scientific awards.

Today, Belgian proficiency can be seen in many other fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and even vaccinations. The universities are the primary pool for this Belgian scientific expertise and, through the creation of spin-offs, have taken the important step of enhancing invaluable skills. The treatment of cancer by proton therapy is probably one of the best economic and scientific successes worldwide.

Belgium is also actively involved in space research, research in the North Sea and climate research in Antarctica with the Princess Elisabeth station. Currently, ambitious research projects focused on sustainable development are also being funded.

To date, many Belgian scientists have been received into prestigious universities abroad; just like Belgium itself welcomes various foreign students and researchers attracted by the high scientific level of its universities together with the quality of life in Belgium.