GHENT – The rector election at Ghent University has solidified into a contest between current rector Rik Van de Walle and Petra De Sutter, a former Green minister.

As of today, no additional candidates can enter the race, confirming the two-way competition.

The election features Van de Walle seeking re-election, with a background in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, against De Sutter, who is campaigning from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The initial vote, scheduled for the end of April, will be primarily decided by the university’s professors.

In his bid for another term, Van de Walle has nominated Ilse Derluyn from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences for vice-rector, emphasizing a commitment to continuity in policy combined with new initiatives.

Meanwhile, De Sutter has selected Herwig Reynaert from the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences as her vice-rector candidate, aiming to introduce innovative management techniques.

Both candidates face growing pressures to articulate clear stances on critical issues, including policies regarding transgressive behavior and the university's associations with Israeli institutions.

These topics are increasingly relevant within the student body and broader societal discourse leading up to the elections.

Ghent University, established in 1817, is one of Belgium's largest and most prestigious educational institutions, hosting approximately 50,000 students and employing a staff of around 15,000.

Historically, the voting system for the rector elections is divided among four categories: professors hold 55% of the voting power, assistant academic staff account for 25%, administrative staff have 15%, and students represent 5%.

Since the inception of this voting method, candidates typically require a majority approval rate of over 80% from the professors.

Rectoral terms at Ghent University have lasted four years since 2013. Van de Walle's tenure began in 2017, and he has been uniquely positioned as the first rector to achieve three consecutive terms since 1990. In the 207-year history of the university, only two women have held the rector position, indicating a longstanding gender imbalance in the university's leadership.

Voter turnout in recent elections has shown a notable increase, rising from 62% in 2013 to 74% in 2017, and reaching 81% in 2021. The upcoming 2024 election is significant, as it features a former federal minister, De Sutter, entering the race for prime minister.

Earlier elections have been focused on issues such as research funding for international collaborations and promoting campus diversity, while the current context highlights discussions around academic associations with Israeli institutions and student conduct policies.

The outcomes of the election will greatly influence Ghent University's strategic direction over the next four years, impacting its QS World University Rankings, where it currently sits at 134th, and its annual budget of €1.2 billion.