Informatie voor alumni

The scientific method is historically linked to the possibility that other researchers can replicate and verify its results. As scientific analysis becomes more complex and interdisciplinary, ensuring reproducibility becomes more challenging specially in fields that combine different expertise.

To promote transparency, consistency and robustness in science, journals, funders, and institutions are encouraging the use of tools and practices that enhance reproducibility. Lifelong learning helps professionals to keep up with the fast-paced scientific developments and to foster creativity and innovation.

By learning about version control, containers, pipelines and data reproducibility, scientists of all levels can improve the reproducibility of their research, as well as the impact and reliability of their findings and methods. Moreover, using the methods introduced here they can collaborate and experiment in ways that allow reproducibility and creativity to coexist and thrive.

This course provides a practical introduction to R, a powerful and flexible environment for statistical computing and data visualization. Participants learn how to work with R’s interface, use the command line, and understand key data structures.

The course covers essential data management tasks such as importing and exporting data, creating variables, subsetting, merging, and reshaping datasets. You will explore data using common statistical and graphical techniques, including histograms, boxplots, scatterplots, correlations, and summary statistics.

By the end, participants will be able to perform basic analyses, manage data efficiently, and automate routine procedures, gaining a solid foundation for further work in data science and statistics.

This course introduces participants to key challenges in survey research, focusing on representation and measurement errors. Using real‑world examples, we explore questions about sampling, question wording, respondent behaviour, and data quality.

Day one covers representation errors, including probability sampling, complex sample designs, unequal selection probabilities, and the impact of nonresponse on estimates.

Day two focuses on measurement errors such as recall problems, social desirability, validity, and reliability, and examines how these issues affect comparisons across groups or languages.

Throughout the 2.5‑day programme, participants work on a small survey analysis project, presented on the final day. 

The course offers a clear overview of the main issues in survey design and analysis, supported by practical exercises and pointers to further reading and software tools.

Join us for a Country Day dedicated to Kazakhstan, the leading economy in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world and the largest landlocked nation, with a population of around 20 million.

Relations between the European Union and Central Asia have gained new momentum in recent years. In April 2025, the inaugural EU - Central Asia Forum took place with the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, marking an important step in strengthening regional cooperation. Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as a partner is further underlined by the Belgian state visit planned for October 2026.

During this Country Day, we will explore opportunities for academic collaboration and available funding schemes. Researchers from Ghent University working with Kazakh partners will share their experiences. The programme will also present the outcomes of the rectoral academic mission to Kazakhstan in November 2025 and reflect on the opportunities surrounding the upcoming Belgian state visit.

The event will conclude with an opportunity for discussion and networking in the beautiful setting of the GUM Plantentuin. 

About Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the economic leader in Central Asia, accounting for nearly 70% of the region’s GDP. Since 2013, the country has formally pursued a national strategy to transition towards a “green economy,” prioritising research and innovation in areas such as sustainable energy, water management, agriculture, and waste processing.

In 2022, the European Union and Kazakhstan signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, batteries, and the renewable hydrogen value chain.

Kazakhstan also plays a key role in the development of the Middle Corridor (the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, TITR), an increasingly important trade route connecting China and Europe while bypassing Russia.

Given its geographic position between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan aims to serve as a bridge between East and West in education and research. The country has set an ambition to become a “Central Asian educational hub.”  Through the Bolashaq programme, the Kazakh government provides scholarships for talented students and PhD candidates to study at leading universities around the world.

Programme

10:00 – 10:15
Welcome and introduction – Anna Sashchenko, Coordinator of the Eureast Platform

10:15 – 10:30
EU–Kazakhstan relations – Prof. Fabienne Bossuyt, academic Co-Chair of the Eureast Platform

10:30 – 11:00
“Kazakhstan: the Territory of Academic Knowledge” Embassy of Kazakhstan in Belgium

11:00 – 11:20
Funding opportunities for cooperation with Kazakhstan and feedback from the rectoral mission to Kazakhstan, by Anna Sashchenko

11:20 – 11:30
Testimonial – Prof. Michael Ruzhansky, Analysis § PDE Center,, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences

11:30 – 11:40
Testimonial – Nazerke Amangeldy, PhD researcher, Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering

11:40 – 11:50
Testimonial – Iana Ovisannikova, PhD researcher, Department of Political Science

11:50 – 12:00
Q&A

12:00 – 13:30

Networking Lunch

A significant proportion of the world’s cultural heritage comprises interconnected works or collections that gain increased value and significance when considered as a whole. These groupings, often referred to as ensembles, can be found in fine art, ethnographic or world collections, architectural complexes, archaeological sites, and many other forms of artistic and historical expression.

The conservation of cultural heritage ensembles needs to consider not only the individual needs of each component, but also the relationship between multiple pieces and their historical significance. Approaching heritage ensembles in this holistic manner, important insights are gained on the depth of cultural narratives, the evolution of artistic traditions, and the broader historical and social connections that these works represent.