Occupation of Ghent University buildings

Update 22/05/2026, 14:30

A review at the end of the occupation

Ghent University is relieved that the occupations are now over. In this update, we would like to briefly revisit what happened last Wednesday.

In response to the raid on the rectorate and the vandalism committed during the incident, Ghent University called in the police and immediately announced legal action. The protesters then indicated that they would leave the rectorate voluntarily.

After leaving the building, the police proceeded to identify those involved, given the criminal offences that had been committed. This led to scuffles between the police and the protesters. Initial findings indicate that only a minority of the protesters involved are students or staff of Ghent University.

We regret that the weeks-long occupation has ended with new, serious criminal offences. Ghent University is now assessing the damage and considering what further legal and disciplinary steps are possible and appropriate.

We would like to thank everyone who helped bring the protest to a proper conclusion. The past period has been intense for many students and staff. Anyone in need of psychosocial support can turn to Ghent University’s existing support channels for students and staff.

Update 21/05/2026, 17:30

Ufo occupation also ended

The activists left the Ufo building this afternoon. Over the past few hours, the protesters cleared out the building.

UGent's services and cleaning crews are standing by to get the UFO back in order ahead of the upcoming exam period. The first exams in the Ufo are scheduled for Tuesday.

The past few weeks have been intense for our university community. UGent now wishes to look ahead and focus on what is to come: a calm and smooth start to the exams, continuity of teaching and services, and support for students and staff.

The university will continue to play its role in public debate and to take the lead in structurally embedding human rights within international research projects. We are terminating academic collaborations with partners deemed problematic. This is the legally correct course of action, one that other universities are now following as well. It has greater impact on the ground than unilaterally withdrawing from a project.

Update 20/05/26, 17:00

Rectorate occupation ended

Ghent University welcomes the commitment of the activists to bring the occupation to an end. This is important in order to fully resume the normal functioning of the university. Exams begin next week. It is essential that students are able to prepare for this important period in complete peace and quiet.

At the same time, the university regrets that the departure of the activists from the rectorate did not pass off without incident. After the activists had vacated the building, the police carried out their duty and proceeded to conduct identity checks. We continue to stress that protest must always be peaceful and non-violent.

Ghent University supports student engagement. Universities must remain places where public debate is possible and where there is room for protest and critical voices. However, understanding engagement does not mean that everything becomes acceptable. There is a fundamental difference between staging a protest and breaking into buildings, causing serious damage, or obstructing the activities of our staff and students.

Ghent University's priority is now to restore calm to its campuses and to give students and staff every opportunity to study and work in safe conditions.

The Rectorate is accessible again.

Update 20/05/26, 10:45

Update 19/05/2026, 14:00

Ghent University condemns vandalism at various sites

Ghent University strongly condemns the large-scale acts of vandalism that affected several buildings last night. Among others, the Ufo, the faculties of Bioscience Engineering, Law and Criminology, Sciences and Engineering and Architecture were defaced.

At some locations, an entire façade was sprayed with red paint. In the Ufo building, the paint was so pervasive that some of the toilets were temporarily unusable.

As a university, we respect non-violent protest and there is room for freedom of expression. However, that freedom must not come at the expense of other people’s property. For us, vandalism crosses a clear line and we therefore condemn this form of protest in the strongest possible terms. We have since reported the matter to the police.

Furthermore, we emphasise that we must be able to continue carrying out our core mission: such actions not only cause damage to university infrastructure, but also undermine our duty to provide students and staff with a safe environment for education, research and work.

Update 13/05/2026, 22:30

Decision on the withdrawal from other projects

Earlier this year, Ghent University successfully and definitively withdrew from the OSTEONET project. That research project, which involved an Israeli partner deemed problematic by Ghent University, served as a test case for our decision to withdraw from such collaborations. 
The OSTEONET case demonstrates that it is indeed possible to withdraw from problematic European collaborations on the basis of Ghent University’s human rights policy without facing sanctions. The case set a precedent within the European research landscape and within Horizon Europe. 

The Executive Board decided today on the next steps to be taken in terminating collaborations deemed problematic. Ghent University will, in a single move, initiate exit procedures for the five ongoing projects due to end in 2027 and 2028, similar to those followed in the OSTEONET case. 

Such a procedure takes a great deal of time. We have learnt this, too, from the OSTEONET project. The three remaining research projects involving Israeli partners deemed problematic will come to an end before we are able to complete that procedure. Efforts to bring the exit procedures to a successful conclusion are therefore being focused on the five longer-running projects.

Update 08/05/2026, 18:30

UGent remains committed to respectful dialogue

Today’s meeting of UGent’s Board of Governors could not take place because access to the meeting location was blocked by protesters.

UGent respects the right to protest and recognises the strong engagement that the situation in Palestine evokes within our university community. At the same time, the university emphasises that, even in the context of fundamental disagreements, there must remain room for mutual respect, safety and open dialogue. This is all the more important when members of the university’s governing bodies are physically obstructed, shouted at or subjected to serious personal accusations.

At the same time, the university wishes to emphasise that it continues to play a leading role in Europe in carefully and legally substantiated efforts to end collaborations where involvement in serious human rights violations has been established.

For example, UGent was the first university within Horizon Europe to end its participation in an ongoing European research project involving a problematic partner. Its withdrawal from the OSTEONET project constitutes an important precedent within the European research landscape.

Commitment to open dialogue

Last night, the protesters indicated that they would, after all, accept the conditions for a meeting. Despite today’s events, UGent remains committed to respectful and open dialogue. A meeting with the protesters will take place on Monday 11 May 2026. The UGent delegation will be led by the rector and the vice-rector.

Activities in the Ufo building

In the Ufo building, classes, activities and services are continuing as planned. Should this change, those affected will be informed directly. The university is monitoring the situation closely.

Are you a student or staff member who needs help in an unexpected situation, or would you like to report something related to the occupation? UGent’s PermanentieCentrum is available 24 hours a day on 09 264 71 25.

Update 07/05/2026, 22:00

Ufo foyer also occupied

Since early this evening, activists have also been occupying the foyer of the Ufo building.

Until further notice, classes and other activities in the Ufo building can continue as planned.

Should any disruption occur, should you need assistance in an unexpected situation, or should you wish to report anything concerning the occupation, you can contact the Permanent Contact Centre at any time on 09 264 71 25.

Update 07/05/2026, 11:30

Ghent University asks activists to end occupation

Ghent University has formally asked the activists who have been occupying a building on Campus Coupure since 22 April to end the occupation. This decision is based on a combination of safety concerns, disruption to teaching activities, and the need to organise the examination period in a calm and orderly manner.

Over the past few days, the university has been unable to reach an agreement with the activists on the framework in which a meeting between the two parties could take place. The possibility of a safe and constructive dialogue therefore appears, for the time being, to have been exhausted.

The occupation, which has now been going on for more than two weeks, is having an impact on various aspects of university life on Campus Coupure. From the outset of the occupation, the wellbeing and safety of students, staff and activists has been a major concern for Ghent University. We must note that the agreements made in this regard have repeatedly not been observed by the activists.

There has been an increase in reports of criminal offences and serious incidents. These include various forms of vandalism, burglary, theft and unauthorised access to Ghent University infrastructure, including unauthorised entry onto the roof of Block A.

Ghent University has therefore decided to formally ask the activists to end the occupation voluntarily, giving them until tomorrow, Friday 8 May, at 10:00 to do so.

Update 06/05/2026, 16:00

Meeting with activists: no agreement reached

Over the past few days, Ghent University has repeatedly attempted to establish a constructive dialogue with the activists. In doing so, we put forward various proposals and counter-proposals to enable an open discussion, with respect for the right to protest, while also taking into account the university’s responsibility to organise these discussions in safe and calm conditions.

We must regretfully conclude today that no agreement could be reached on this matter. Fundamental differences of opinion remain regarding the consultation format in which a meeting would take place. The activists insist on a public meeting in the presence of the press, and on allowing participants to wear face coverings.

With regard to the latter, we wish to emphasise that wearing face coverings, with the exception of medical face masks, not only goes against earlier agreements made with the occupiers, but is also contrary to the law. The ability to identify those present is essential in order to safeguard everyone’s safety in a public space. In these circumstances, the university cannot guarantee the safety of all those present.

Concerns also exist about the circumstances in which such a meeting would take place, based on the activists’ communication on social media, where defamatory and unfounded allegations have been made almost daily.

Over the past week, we also proposed that, in addition to representatives of the university leadership, Ghent University subject-matter experts should take part in the meeting, so that the activists’ questions and concerns could be addressed in detail.

We regretfully note that there is no willingness to arrive at a consultation format supported by both parties. Such a format is necessary to guarantee a safe and constructive dialogue.

The university remains convinced of the importance of dialogue and consultation. At the same time, it must conclude today that the option of a direct meeting with the activists appears, for the time being, to have been exhausted.

Update 05/05/2026, 13:00

Meeting with activists: a new proposal

The activists indicated that they did not agree with several aspects of the discussion framework proposed yesterday by the Rector and Vice-Rector.

Among other things, the activists want the media to be allowed to attend, consider a one-hour meeting too short, and have indicated that they will not exclude participants who cover their faces.

The Rector and Vice-Rector regretfully note that there is no willingness, during a spokescouncil, to ensure the calm conditions needed for a respectful and constructive dialogue.

At the same time, the Rector and Vice-Rector reiterate that they are willing to enter into dialogue with the activists and are making a new proposal to that end.

Several Ghent University experts, including two legal experts involved in the university’s initiatives to end problematic collaborations with Israeli partners, are willing to join the meeting with a delegation of the activists. This format would allow Ghent University’s policy to be explained very precisely and the activists’ questions to be answered in detail.

Update: 04-05-2026, 16:30

Visit to Campus Coupure by the Rector and Vice-Rector of Ghent University

Ghent University remains open to dialogue with the activists who are currently occupying a building at Campus Coupure. In this context, the Rector and Vice-Rector have proposed taking part in the ‘spokescouncil’ of the activists this week; this meeting could take place tomorrow/Tuesday between 4 pm and 5 pm.

This afternoon, the Rector and Vice-Rector sent a reply to the activists stating that they attach great importance to a respectful and constructive dialogue. Based on recent communication via social media, which includes hurtful and unfounded accusations, there are serious concerns about the circumstances in which this meeting would take place.

To facilitate a calm discussion, the Rector and Vice-Rector have proposed a framework for the consultation. The meeting with the ‘spokescouncil’ can only take place if the media, video recordings and participants wearing face coverings are not permitted. The discussion must also be able to proceed without interruptions or disruptions.

The university has now submitted this proposal to the activists and is awaiting their response. The Rector and Vice-Rector remain convinced of the importance of dialogue, but only in a context that allows for mutual respect and an open exchange.

Update: 22-04-2026, 15:00

Occupation at Campus Coupure: teaching and research continue as planned

Since this morning, activists have been occupying a building at Campus Coupure. All teaching and research activities on campus are currently continuing as planned. Some other activities are being relocated. Those involved are being informed directly.

The activists’ demands concern ending UGent’s collaborations with Israeli partners. Ghent University maintains a a clear policy: collaborations with Israeli partners are ended when there is evidence of involvement in serious human rights violations. The recent withdrawal from the OSTEONET research project marks a breakthrough that allows UGent to move forward further. Read the latest update issued by Ghent University on this matter. 

If you are a student or staff member and need help in an unexpected situation, or if you wish to report something regarding the occupation, Ghent University’s Emergency Centre is available 24 hours a day on 09 264 71 25.