Ambassadors
Prof. Roger Dillemans
former rector Catholic University Leuven and co-founder of the Dondeyne House |
‘A university should not only be a place where young people are trained to be specialists in a particular field. It should also contribute to the formation of critical intellectuals who are open to the cultural, social and religious / spiritual dimension of our society. The Dondeyne House is an excellent example of this'.
Prof. Hugo Roeffaers sj
president Academic Steering Committee Dondeyne House |
'Studying is more than acquiring knowledge in an academic discipline. In the Dondeyne House students get the opportunity to embed their studies in an open perspective and to build up a community life with room for reflection, engagement and relaxation'.
Joost Van Roost
CEO ExxonMobil Benelux |
‘The professional quality and ambitions of a (young) employee can not be measured solely by his expertise in a particular discipline. Also his social, cultural and spiritual background must be taken into account when evaluating his capabilities. Formation Projects, such as the Dondeyne Project, which integrate this are extremely important for the preparation of youngsters to their professional life and for the future of the business world in general!'
Professor Emeritus Luk Bouckaert
director SPES Academy - www.spes-forum.be |
'At the university I learned two things: all kinds of theories to solve scientific problems and examination questions. And in addition I discovered a number of questions without theoretical answer. These questions made me think about myself and life around me. I see the Dondeyne House as a school of the second type. You acquire no diploma but an 'art de vivre''.
Professor Bernard Himpens
Dean Faculty of Medicine |
'The faculty of medicine is constantly looking for a student-friendly environment and quality in its education and its services. Ideally, our students should also find this outside their faculty. We are therefore pleased with the presence of the Dondeyne House in the backyard of our campus. This house offers our students the right balance between personal and intellectual growth. It is a unique opportunity to embed study and scientific work in a broad general education that is in touch with the major social, cultural and spiritual issues of our time. In a time where (medical) care is likely to become more anonymous such initiatives support our students to better understand the patient as a full partner in a broad social context'.
Professor John A. Dick
former member of the academic staff at the KU Leuven Centre for Ethics, Executive Secretary for the Jean Jadot Chair for the Study of Religion and Values in Society at both the KU Leuven and the U.C.L. |
‘The university has - as rector Vervenne once said at the opening of the academic year - 'an ethical mission based on reflection'. The auditorium is the place where this critical reflection is born, but if we want it to be fruitful we need to integrate it in real life. For studying is also about "making choices in life". In the Dondeyne House students get the opportunity to orient themselves in real life against the background of academic reflection'.
Prof. Bart De Moor
ESAT Catholic University Leuven |
‘Scientists must not hide into an ivory tower of specialized knowledge. They must dare to think critically about their own discipline and go into dialogue with the society on the impact and importance of the scientific work they perform. It is therefore important that projects like the Dondeyne House pay attention to a broad general education with an eye for social, cultural and spiritual development and moral perception'.
Dhr. Marc Erkens
head of Lemmens Institute Leuven |
'The Lemmens Institute expects her students to be versatile and committed. As in the Dondeyne House we work a lot on solidarity: we study together, play music together, live together. With its house program and community life the Dondeyne House offers the ideal environment for our students. It prepares them better and more thoroughly to their future professional and artistic contribution to a varied cultural landscape in a highly heterogeneous society'.
Mevr. Anne-Mie Meers
coordinator Lens, student services KHLeuven |
'The KHLeuven offers a contemporary and innovative learning environment, with an interplay between theory-driven scientific foundation and practical experiences. There is a lot of attention to diversity and opportunity to develop in a broad ethical framework. We believe that this does not stop in the auditorium. Also in the housing of its students KHLeuven would like to seek an educational environment, embedded in a high-quality and community-based environment. With its emphasis on social, cultural and spiritual formation Dondeyne House certainly offers an answer'.
