Vives students to receive Flemish, Walloon and French diploma

In September, the Vives University College, based in Kortrijk and with campuses across West Flanders, will launch a bilingual Bachelor degree in business management in Dutch and French. Graduates will further get three diplomas that are recognised in Flanders, Wallonia and France respectively – a first in Flanders. 

In the first year, students receive courses in both Dutch and French. From the second year on, they have to go to one of the partner schools in Wallonia, France or Canada. The degree is part of the EuroMetropool  initiative – a collaboration among the cities of Kortrijk, Tournai and Lille. The three cities are working to create an EU cross-border district to improve co-operation between authorities.

Flanders’ chamber of commerce, Voka, welcomed the Vives initiative. “The knowledge of French in the border region with Wallonia and the North of France is an asset for companies, but unfortunately we see that the knowledge of French among Flemish students is decreasing,” said Veerle De Mey of Voka West Flanders. “Following the degree programme in Wallonia also provides extra advantages to students, since they are not only immersed in another language but also in another culture.” 

Photo courtesy Vives