New higher education programs in Kortrijk and Bruges

At Vives Noord in Bruges, there will be a new graduate degree in legal-administrative support: a strongly practice-oriented training that also allows students to learn on the job at, for example, notaries, clerks’ offices and bailiff’s offices. Furthermore, Ghent University is allowed to offer the master’s degree in ‘Sustainable Food Packaging’ in Kortrijk: a course that is unique in Europe and that focuses on packaging food in a sustainable way.

Also in Kortrijk, the marketing course of the Center for Adult Education Miras is being transformed into a full graduate in ‘sales support’ at Vives Zuid University of Applied Sciences. Students are prepared to start working for a commercial office, which, for example, monitors sales or supports customers.

The new programs can start from next academic year (2022-2023).

Low participation rate in West Flanders

The participation rate in higher education is lower in West Flanders than in most other Flemish provinces. Fewer West Flemish youngsters attend higher education, and the West Flemish youngsters who do, in many cases move to other provinces. By approving new courses, the Flemish government hopes to increase this participation rate.

Kelly Detavernier, alderman for education in Kortrijk, thinks the decision is a step in the right direction. “It is crucial to be able to offer quality higher education courses close to home. After all, not everyone is able to live in a student flat or study outside the province,” says Detavernier. “Kortrijk is already the largest student city in West Flanders, and this will only benefit our city.”