Missions, vision, values

Vision

Since 1425, UCLouvain students, researchers and professors have expanded the limits of knowledge and addressed society’s challenges through the relentless pursuit of quality research.

An authoritative force in an uncertain world, UCLouvain promotes access to quality education for all. Innovation is the common thread of its education and research activities. University research imparts nuance and perspective to a world often blinded by the here and now.

While internationally renowned, UCLouvain remains firmly rooted in its local community. Its involvement in regional development and its international influence are mutually reinforcing.

« Un cap, du sens »

In September 2025, the UCLouvain community adopted its 2024–29 strategic plan, entitled « Un cap, du sens ». It is the result of a shared commitment to shape a meaningful future for our university, by listening to its community, in line with the expectations of the wider world.

UCLouvain aims to be a university that:

• places people at the heart of everything it does;
• ensures high-quality, inclusive and relevant education;
• develops creative and responsible research;
• strengthens the link between the university and society;
• works towards a diverse and sustainable society.

The strategic plan is structured around two priorities:

 1. A thriving university community

• Cultivating well-being and respect 
  • Fair and inclusive working conditions
  • Combating all forms of harassment and discrimination
  • Healthy and supportive environments for studying and working
• Educating in order to transform
  • Tailored support throughout the student journey
  • Access to effective and ethical digital tools
  • Active and socially responsible learning that fosters critical thinking
• Taking action to create a stimulating working environment
  • A culture of recognition and appreciation of work
  • Greater attention to workload, work pace and flexibility
  • A revamped structure for the multi-campus university

2. A socially responsible university

• Promoting research 
  • Support for early-career researchers and PhD students
  • Priority given to interdisciplinarity and international collaborations
  • Promoting research through dialogue with society
• Taking action for transitions
  • Green, sustainable and inclusive campuses
  • Courses on environmental and social issues in all degree programmes
  • Recognising the diversity of research and supporting open science
• Sharing, connecting, collaborating
  • Closer dialogue with host cities and associations
  • Greater interaction with businesses and science parks
  • Increased collaboration with partner universities, with a particular focus on countries in the Global South

Values

• Humanism, respect for dignity, diversity, ethics, kindness
• Excellence in education, research and serving society
• Inclusion, accessibility, recognition of all individuals, and combating discrimination
• Commitment of staff and students
• Dialogue, participatory governance, attentiveness, and collaborative development

Three missions 

Education

UCLouvain aims to enable secondary school graduates, working professionals, and anyone else who so wishes to acquire knowledge and skills that fuel their personal and professional development.

To guarantee quality education, pedagogical innovation is closely linked to the development and updating of course programmes.

Research

As a research university , recognised for the excellence of its contributions to the development and transmission of knowledge, UCLouvain is part of an international community.

UCLouvain fosters an environment that is conducive to scientific creativity, research and development activities, and a balance between the functions of researcher and educator.

Serving society

UCLouvain contributes to the development of a society that ensures the well-being of all citizens, through:

• its seven locations in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and two university hospitals;
• the impact of its research and education activities;
• its alumni network;
• the creation of spin-offs;
• the development of science parks and incubators;
• development cooperation.