Université libre de Bruxelles
Seal of the ULB | |
| Latin: Universitas Bruxellensis | |
| Motto | Scientia vincere tenebras (Latin) |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Conquering darkness through science |
| Type | Independent (partly state-funded) |
| Established | 28 May 1970 |
| President | Pierre Gurdjian |
| Rector | Annemie Schaus |
Administrative staff | 4,400 |
| Students | 37,489 (2023–24) |
| Location | , Belgium |
| Campus | Solbosch/Solbos, La Plaine/Het Plein, Erasme/Erasmus, Gosselies |
| Follows | Free University of Brussels |
| Affiliations | |
| Website | www.ulb.be |
The Université libre de Bruxelles (French, pronounced [ynivɛʁsite libʁ də bʁysɛl]; lit. Free University of Brussels; abbreviated ULB) is a French-speaking research university in Brussels, Belgium. It has three campuses: the Solbosch/Solbos campus (in the City of Brussels and Ixelles), the La Plaine/Het Plein campus (in Ixelles) and the Erasme/Erasmus campus (in Anderlecht).
The Université libre de Bruxelles was formed in 1969 by the splitting of the Free University of Brussels, which was founded in 1834 by the lawyer and liberal politician Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen. The founder aimed to establish a university independent from state and church, where academic freedom would prevail. This is still reflected in the university's motto Scientia vincere tenebras, or "Conquering darkness through science".
One of the leading Belgian universities open to Europe and the world, the ULB now has about 24,200 students, 33% of whom come from abroad, and an equally cosmopolitan staff.