The creation of Universities as an institution was one of the best things to come out of the Middle Ages. The institution’s commitment to extending the boundaries of human knowledge, transmitting this knowledge, and thereby increasing the humanity of the human race has kept it at the forefront of civilization in the 21st century. The Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) has played a part in this process with pride since 1425. But above all, UCL’s mission to be a great European university is directed towards the future. It takes in teachers, researchers and students from far and wide and the need for strict quality control has never been higher. The internationalization of tertiary education brings new challenges. UCL is a microcosm of the world it serves. It is a centre of knowledge and innovation, a place of cultural celebration and invention, of achievement and extending the limits of human accomplishment.
UCL, a university:
- with an international reputation in the fields of education and research
- that promotes the international mobility of people and knowledge
- where innovation in the field of education is highly valued
- with humanist values, both by choice and by tradition
- that actively contributes to regional development
- in a privileged environment
The Institute of European Studies (IEE) of the UCL was created in 1967 as an interdisciplinary department for education, research and provision of services to the civil society. In 1999 it has been recognised as European centre of excellence with the Jean Monnet Chair sponsored by the European Commission. The IEE-UCL hosts the chair InBev-Baillet Latour « European Union and Russia » and Triffin International Foundation, chaired by Alexandre Lamfalussy. The Institute hosts also a European Documentation Center (EDC).
Among its faculty, the IEE counts both professors from the academic world, as well as experts working with/for the European institutions. The professors of the Institute of European Studies are active both in teaching and researching in the field of European affairs. Many of them are hired by European institutions as external expert or have been vested of political posts.
Since 2009, the IEE is partner in the organization of the IMES and it is in charge of the academic section.