Jimmy spoke first. With a brand new Masterâs degree in linguistics and literary studies, and about to embark on a PhD in political sciences, the student from The Gambia explained how he first started at the VUB a year ago and how he quickly integrated into the student community.
âThe VUB made me a better personâ, he said enthusiastically. Chances are he also meant the VUB instilled a lot of energy in him, given that very soon after arriving he was representing the university at conferences and seminars, here and abroad. Through his contributions to De Moeial, the student magazine became more bilingual. And to put the icing on the cake, Jimmy was one of the founding members of ASCOM, the new VUB African Students Community. His advice to new international students mirrored his own experiences: not just to excel in their studies but to make friends and share the experience of the history and culture of this beautiful place. He closed his speech by quoting Albert Einstein: âStrive not to be a success but to be of valueâ, adding âthe VUB is the perfect place for thisâ.
Next up was Daniel Van Den Broecke. He already anticipated the rectorâs speech and especially her plea for more rebelliousness in the world. âThe student council together with the students looks at the existing structures with a critical eye and tries to rebel in those cases where it doesnât agree with themâ. He summed up what this spirit and thinking had already led to in the past: the group cramming period, the âlounge bar 1050â project, the Basic Fit Lounge, and, of course, the night busses that will run every Thursday from the centre of Brussels to Etterbeek and back again.
The jump from this to putting the university clearer on the map isnât a big one. But Daniel gave it a nice twist: âWe also want Brussels to be proud of the VUBâ, he said. He called on the students to be more connected to the university. âYou are here for some of the best years of your life. It is up to you to increase your say in the organisationâ.