Onderwijscongres 2026

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I am registering for the following parallel session:

SESSION 1: Educational Technology as a Partner in Student Ownership Sold-out

I2.01

Speakers: Free DE BACKER (PE), Steven VERBEYST (RC) and Filip VAN DROOGENBROECK (ES)

Large student cohorts, declining pass rates, and increasing workloads are placing our education system under considerable strain. How can lecturers continue to provide high-quality guidance while simultaneously giving students greater ownership of their learning?

In this session, three lecturers share how they are investing in scalable, well-considered support: an AI chatbot that provides formative feedback on papers and dissertations, virtual study coaches that support students through independent study and exam preparation, and a modular learning platform for research methods. Together, these cases illustrate how AI and educational technology can function as a learning partner — not as shortcuts, but as levers for more effective learning.

Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on guidance with practical tips for those who wish to get started themselves.

Study success domain: Student ownership

SESSION 2: Building a Learning-Enhancing Assessment Practice

I2.02

Speakers: Daphné COOMANS (OS), Charlotte LEWYLLIE (OS), Stijn VAN ACHTER (OS), Marijke VAN VLASSELAER (ES) and Elke VERBEKE (OS)

How do we organise assessment in ways that genuinely promotes learning and provides insight into the extent to which students are achieving the intended learning outcomes? This session explores that question from the perspectives of policy, research, and practice.

We begin with a brief overview of our revised assessment policy, followed by insights from research into innovative alternatives to the traditional dissertation. In an age of AI — which can effortlessly generate written texts on students' behalf — the validity and reliability of written assignments warrants particular scrutiny. Drawing on this research experience, we engage in dialogue about the choices made and explore the opportunities and challenges that emerge.

The session invites exchange and offers inspiration for those who wish to contribute actively to forward-looking assessment. We close with an out-of-the-box brainstorm on alternatives to the written assignment as a final assessment.

Study success domain: Curriculum and teaching

SESSION 3: Diversity Sensitivity as a Lever for Academic Success

I1.04

Speakers: Nele ADRIAENSSENS (LK), Amber WERBROUCK (GF), Alessandra BLONDA (GF), Julie BERTONE (OS)

Our world is globalising at a rapid pace. This is reflected not only in our increasingly diverse student population, but also in the labour market for which we prepare our students. This reality calls for purposefully designed curricula, thoughtful instructional design, and inclusive learning materials.

In this parallel session, we work with concrete dos and don’ts, drawing on experiences, tools and evidences from a wide range of projects. We invite lecturers and educational support staff to reflect critically on potential barriers to inclusion. How do you open up sensitive topics for discussion? How do you create a learning environment that is both safe and challenging? How do you ensure that teaching materials and curricula are accessible to everyone? And how do you help students themselves become more aware of diversity?

This session offers both inspiration and practical tools for those who wish to embed inclusion structurally within educational design and student support. In doing so, we harness diversity as a strength and work together towards equitable, high-quality higher education.

Study success domain: Belonging and welcome programme

SESSION 4: Harnessing Peer-Assisted Learning

I1.05

Speakers: Els CONSUEGRA (MILO), Inge BOGAERT (MILO), Ann VAN SLIJCKE (BRUTUS), Annelies DEBOELPAEP (SB), Pascale PETIT (SB)

Peer-assisted learning and tutoring are powerful levers for both the social and academic integration of students and are gaining importance in several programmes at the VUB. In this session, we start from research insights on what works in tutoring initiatives in higher education. These insights are linked to concrete success factors, pitfalls and conditions for the sustainable embedding of peer-assisted learning in the curriculum.

We will also present an open Canvas module designed to support tutoring initiatives. This module includes an e-course for organisers and flexible, thematic modules for tutors that programmes can deploy in a targeted and selective way. In addition, we will demonstrate how participating programmes can contribute to the further development of these materials, provide feedback on existing modules and help build a VUB-wide network around tutoring initiatives.

By connecting practical examples with the underlying scientific knowledge base, participants will gain a clear and practical framework to support informed decisions about integrating tutoring into their own courses or programmes.

Study success domain: Belonging and welcome programme

SESSION 6: Co-Creative and Interdisciplinary Education as a Competitive Advantage

I1.07

Speakers: Dirk AERENHOUTS (LK), Colin Jakob RITTBERG (LW), Hebe SCHAILLEE (LK), Frederik D'HONDT (RC), Ann PEETERS (LW)

How do you shape co-creative and interdisciplinary education without compromising coherence and manageability for students? This session draws on experiences gathered within a range of curriculum renewal projects (CVM & EUTOPIA).

We explore how co-creative curriculum redesign can lead to a more contemporary and effective course offering, how interdisciplinarity can be developed while accounting for diverse student intakes as well as infrastructural and technological constraints, and how international collaboration can be sustainably embedded within a programme.

The session opens with five short project pitches, after which participants rotate in a carousel format to speak with project leads and exchange experiences, challenges, and practical tips. Participants will leave with fresh ideas, concrete examples, and tools to get started themselves.

Study success domain: Curriculum and quality of education

Important information

Don’t forget to click "Confirm and Checkout" at the bottom right to finalize your selection. We’ll also send a confirmation email to the address you provided during registration. This email will include a link to modify or even cancel your registration if your plans change.