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Patrick Segers is a professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture: “I found it a tough and challenging year, like so many others."

Liessa Engels has been a counsellor at Ghent University for two years. She is there to help students and those who are choosing a course. Fortunately they are finding their way to the online alternatives that Liessa and her colleagues have established this year.

The corona crisis is having a major negative impact on the most vulnerable refugees, according to a study by the World Health Organization published last Friday, on the International Day of Migrants. It was researchers from Ghent University and the University of Copenhagen that developed this report. “We are very happy that the WHO chose to run with our study. In this way our work can have worldwide resonance.”

Jelle Van Goethem graduated in 2010 with a master degree in history from Ghent University. After an advanced master’s programme in business economics and teacher training programme, he spent seven years working as a teacher. Until this year, when he changed jobs. 2020 was also a milestone in his private life, being the year his first son was born.

20 people with links to Ghent University were selected at random. They tell us what 2020 meant to them, what they will carry over to next year and above all: what they hope for in 2021. Kurt Boelens graduated from Ghent University in business psychology in 1987.

Parastou grew up in Belgium after she fled Iran with her family at the age of five. She completed her university studies in England, where she also started working as a lawyer. After nine years in Liverpool, she returned to Belgium this year with her husband, as well as her cat and dog! In September she started the ManaMa International Business Law.

The lockdown accelerated the plans to study again for Sofie. Without the long list of ‘to dos’ in the evenings and weekends, she can focus much better.

Babs Isenbaert is doing her second bachelor in psychology. She would also like to help people in the future.

Céline Vaneeckhaute is an alumnus from Ghent University, and meanwhile professor of bioscience engineering at Laval University in the Canadian city of Quebec, where she has been living with her husband for years. She tells us what 2020 meant to them, what she will carry over to next year and above all: what she hopes for in 2021.

For Pieter Verbeke, a student at Ghent University, 2020 was mainly focused on work placements. He is currently doing the educational masters in physics and astronomy, and is already teaching part-time in secondary education.

Nicolaas Lumen is a ‘product of Ghent University’ in every way. In 2002, he graduated in medicine, and these days he is a professor in urology. Nicolaas hopes to quickly return to a normal life in 2021, so that we can come and go as we please once more.

Ragad Haj Ali is doing her first bachelor in pharmaceutical sciences, but has already been through a lot in her life. Meanwhile, she is proud to have the opportunity to study at Ghent University. She remains positive, despite the many challenges.