New rectoral team officially in office

During the official opening of the academic year on Friday 19 September 2025, the ceremonial handover of the rectorship took place between Rik Van de Walle and Mieke Van Herreweghe and the new duo Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert. Today, 1 October 2025, marks the official start of their mandate.

Who are Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert?

• Petra De Sutter is a gynaecologist specialized in reproductive medicine. She holds a PhD in biomedical sciences and was a long-standing professor at Ghent University. In addition to her academic career, she was active in Belgian politics: from 2020 to 2025, she served as Deputy Prime Minister in the federal government.

Read more about Rector Petra De Sutter.

• Herwig Reynaert is a professor of political science and chair of the Centre for Local Politics. He has held various academic positions, including dean of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences.

Read more about Vice-Rector Herwig Reynaert.

Their vision for Ghent University

The new rectoral team aims to focus on connection, participation, and societal impact. They stress the importance of a university that not only excels in education and research but also plays an active role in public debate and makes innovation broadly accessible.

“The mission of a university is essentially about acquiring and sharing knowledge through the three classical pillars: education, research, and societal service.

But that alone is not enough. The university must also adapt to societal developments—especially when these go against the values of the Enlightenment. In a time of increasing polarization, the university has a duty to foster open debate. A debate based on mutual respect and genuine listening to other viewpoints. An honest debate, not intended to mislead or to cling to one’s own absolute truth, but to come as close as possible to the truth together.” - Petra De Sutter, Rector of Ghent University

Read the full opening address for the 2025-2026 academic year.