Not at all. Although the University of Antwerp was not officially formed until 2003, its roots go back to a much more respectable 1852. This was when the Fathers of the Society of Jesus established an institute for business education in the port of Antwerp - one of the first business schools in Europe that awarded degrees. It eventually became known as the University Faculties of Saint Ignatius Antwerp (UFSIA).

As the years rolled on, it could even be argued that Antwerp's academic credentials surpassed those of other Flemish cities because, by the start of the 21st century, the city actually boasted not just one but three universities. In addition to UFSIA there was RUCA (State University Centre Antwerp) and UIA (University Institution Antwerp). It made good sense to combine these under one umbrella organisation, and simplify the acronyms at the same time. UFSIA, RUCA and UIA simply became UA, the University of Antwerp.

UA has seven faculties: Applied Economics; Arts and Philosophy; Law; Medicine; Pharmaceutical, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences; Political and Social Sciences; and Sciences. Its 13,000 students and 850 staff make it the third-largest university in Flanders. About 1,200 of the students - excluding exchange students - are from foreign countries, with a majority from EU member states.

UA's main campus (called "City Campus") is situated in the historic city centre; the other three are in the green belt to the south of the city (Campuses Drie Eiken, Groenenborger and Middelheim).

Strong in science and research
UA ranks among Europe's leading universities in terms of impact in the natural and biomedical sciences. Many of its scientists belong to leading international research teams, while academic and research staff work together with other institutes in Belgium and abroad and participate in scientific exchange programmes.

The figures reflect this solid research orientation. External funding of scientific research at the university amounts to more than 50% of the operating resources provided by the government. More than 700 people on campus carry out research on externally-funded projects. Annually, more than 3,000 scientific papers are published, and about 400 students complete a post- graduate degree programme.

Many of the internationally renowned research teams work in the university's five Centres of Excellence: Nanostructures; Molecular Neurogenetics; Environmental Studies; Social Policy Research; and the Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute.

These research successes are not without reason: UA is equipped with impressive core facilities that give expert technological support to researchers from both academia and industry.

CalcUA is one of the most powerful computer clusters in Belgium. It can perform demanding calculations in a broad range of research applications, such as computer science, mathematics, biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry and linguistics, at a speed of three billion operations per second.

Since 1927, the AntwerpBiobank has been building a large collection of human brain samples associated with neurological disorders. It provides samples to study Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and epilepsy.

Biomedical Microscopic Imaging harbours the latest instruments covering all aspects of imaging at cellular and tissue levels, while the Genetic Service Facility provides an integrated state-of-the-art genetic screening platform. Combining expertise in non-invasive molecular imaging techniques and neurological research is the Bio-Imaging Lab.

Close to business
UA is no ivory tower, though; rather, it has its feet firmly placed in industry, business and commerce. For example, UA has established an on-campus Innovation and Incubation Centre, which works on industry-linked projects and encompasses three autonomous institutes. The Institute of Development Policy and Management offers Masters and Doctorate programmes in English and carries out several lines of research; the Institute of Transport and Maritime Management Antwerp has developed close working relationships with the port of Antwerp; while the University of Antwerp Management School includes a Euro-China Centre offering training sessions for Belgian companies working in China to boost trade between the regions

Alongside fundamental scientific research, a great deal of applied and policy-oriented research is also performed. Public authorities, federal and regional governments, the private sector and numerous national and international bodies regularly commission research from teams at the UA.

Under Belgian law, the university is the legal owner of inventions made by its researchers. However, UA encourages its researchers to commercialise their findings. With this in mind, UA has created a structure to help researchers identify the best marketing options for their inventions. An interface service provides a first point of entry for researchers reporting findings with commercial potential. The Innovation Council deals with policy issues and transfer of knowledge. UA also participates in an early-stage venture capital fund.

What's new at UA?
As the 2010 academic year kicks off, some new developments have been initiated at UA.

A commitment to sustainable mobility. Staff can earn benefits by cycling into UA. On Campus Drie Eiken a small electric truck distributes the mail. All materials are now printed on paper with the FSC label, which guarantees a sustainable origin.

The increasing role of social media. The UA is jumping onto the bandwagon with an active presence on Facebook and Twitter.

New prices for student meals. The student restaurants have recalculated their prices, which are now linked to the real cost of food. For students the formula is "food cost x2", which provides an incentive to eat seasonally available ingredients.