HOWEST University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen)

Established in 1849, having a rich history linked to local industry, the HOWEST University of Applied Sciences as we know it today, is a result of the latest merger in 1995. In 1995 HOWEST became a single autonomous Higher Education Institution because of a merger of six prominent institutions of higher education in Flanders. Since then the development within HOWEST has taken on a fresh impetus and we are now one of the leading innovative providers of higher education and research institute in the country. Today more than 6.000 students are enrolled at HOWEST pursuing 22 Bachelors covering a wide range of disciplines. HOWEST consists of 2 campuses in Brugge (Bruges) and 2 in Kortrijk. Students will find here an open, vibrant, cosmopolitan and friendly environment that offers a wealth of educational opportunities, with emphasis on high quality and practice-oriented courses. HOWEST has a growing international reputation, as are the opportunities it offers to students to do part of their studies abroad. The research groups have a clear focus on Applied Research. They are leading professional researchers, in the following 5 pillars: 1. Business IT & Management 2. Innoteach (innovation in intentional learning) 3. Preventive Healthcare (Technologies) & Wellbeing 4. Design, Media & Communication 5. Sustainable Architecture & Energy management. They make innovation happen for real. Their knowhow and expertise is consumed by social profit and profit worldwide from its academic and industrial network in a lot of countries like USA, Canada, Mexico, Guinea, South-Africa, Kazachstan, Israel, China, India, and all European countries. The commitment to joining education with the creation of knowledge provides a fertile setting for research that has spawned a host of innovation breakthroughs in applications, with a leverage of more than 170 million Euro. All R&D-projects emerge from innovation objectives from social profit and profit organizations.